The following paper, named "SMAC - Stiff Moored Articulated Column" describes a new platform concept developed by Aker Engineering Bergen a.s. The concept is a low cost compliant platform which is suitable for use in deep waters and where the costs are largely independent of water depth. The essential platform element is a buoyant tower structure which is restrained at the base by a stiff mooring system.
In the face of high costs of fixed platforms in deep waters, there has'been a growing emphasis on the use of other production systems such as subsea production systems or floating production systems. Subsea production systems have proved particularly suitable for the exploitation of satellite fields where the produced hydrocarbons are transported from the field by pipelines to a fixed platform for treatment and export. Floating production systems are increasingly being adopted for independent field developments. Floating systems have included compliant systems such as Hutton TLP and catenary moored vessels such as Petrojarl. It is against this background that Aker Engineering Bergen a.s has developed a low cost compliant platform which is suitable for use in deep waters (>200m) and where the costs are largely independent of water depth.
The essential platform element is a buoyant tower structure which is restrained at the base by a stiff mooring system, see figure 3. The present size of the SMAC structure is designed to accommodate six wells and a topside load of 1500 tonnes. Due to the length of the substructure, the SMAC is designed for water depths in excess of 200 meters. The analysis is performed for a waterdepth of 280 metres. Model tests and computer analyses shows that the dynamic response characteristics of the platform competes favorably with other systems.
