Examination arrangement

Course content

Challenges with respect to marine operations related to installation and operation of offshore oil and gas fields, aquaculture installations and floating wind turbines are presented. Examples are towing of offshore structures, crane operations and lifting, mooring, pipelying, offshore loading and different subsea operations and factors influencing regularity for critical operations. Further, issues related to design and operations of subsea vehicles are touched. Main focus is on simple analysis and assessment of hydrodynamic and structural problems of relevance when planning and performing marine operations. Included are also risk understanding and management and important topics for efficient planning of operations.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE: - shall know the most important marine operations taking place within the industries of offshore wind turbines, offshore oil and gas assets and aquaculture facilities. - shall know the different subsea operations related to monitoring and mapping of the ocean space and seabed. - shall understand important aspects in the planning of a marine operation in order to understand and manage the risks involved. - shall obtain a fundamental knowledge of how to manage weather uncertainty and weather forecast for safe execution of marine operations. - shall be able to estimate weather windows and weather waiting time in order to understand total duration, operability and total cost of a marine operation. - shall be able to estimate and understand overall behavior of marine structures due to wave, wind and current exposure in order to manage required safety levels during execution of an operation. - shall use simple models to estimate motion behavior and forces involved in all phases of a crane operation, e.g. during installation of a subsea object from a floating vessel onto the seabed. - shall know the principles and functions for different load compensation systems (e.g. heave compensation and constant tension compensation) in order to increase operational weather limits. - shall be able to describe the main characteristics of the different underwater robots and vehicles like e.g. AUVs and ROVs in order to select the best vehicle and tool for the relevant operation. - shall understand the importance of safe execution of marine operations for aquaculture facilities. - shall be able to propose effective marine operations for floating wind turbines in order to make new and renewable offshore energy solutions profitable. - shall be able to select the optimal station keeping method (mooring, dynamic positioning or thruster assisted mooring) for floating structures involved in marine operations. - shall know the intention behind the recommendations and guidelines given in industry rules and regulations. - shall understand the risk involved in operations where floating vessels are operating in vicinity of each other; a particular emphasis is given to ship-to-ship transfer of fluids. - shall know the main design aspects related to safe installation of pipelines and risers – the most costly marine operation for the oil and gas industry. - shall have fundamental knowledge of the behavior of offshore and inshore towing operations in order to select the most efficient and safe sea transport solution.

SKILLS: - shall be able to perform simple calculations of environmental loads and load effects for floating, marine structures in order to manage required safety margins. - shall make and use simple numerical tools and methods in exercises - shall use the catenary equations related to installation planning of pipelines, cables and risers to prevent overloading. - shall be able to identify and rank hazards and potential consequences of involved personnel, environmental impact and loss of assets and reputation.

GENERAL COMPETENCE: - contribute in discussions on different topics related to planning, execution and risk management of marine operations. - participate in group work on related topics in order to gain experience of team discussions.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and exercises.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Further on evaluation

Final grading is based upon written exam (100%). Examination papers will be given in English only. Students are free to choose Norwegian or English for written assessments. Postponed/repeated exams may be oral.

Recommended previous knowledge

Subjects Marine Structures, BC.

Course materials

F.G. Nielsen: Lecture notes: Marine Operations 2007 version. S. Sævik: Course notes. K.Larsen : Course notes. M. Ludvigsen : Course notes. DNV : "Veritas Marine Operation" rules and regulations Handouts.

Credit reductions