To accompany the deployment of fibre rope moorings for deep water systems, specific procedures for the Classification of such mooring systems, and for the Certification of synthetic fibre ropes, were developed, that:
fit both with the nature of the product, and the demand of such a challenging application,
keep the necessary caution that a still novel application should deserve.
This paper presents an overview, based on three years of implementation, of the experience gained through Certification activities, particularly on the developments of Certification procedures, the input of the continuing R&D effort in the industry, and the matter of rope load-elongation characteristics.
The deployment of fibre rope moorings for deep water Oil production systems was initiated, in the mid "90s, after a time of active R&D activities and experiments, that included technical and economical studies, evaluations of materials and of products, and field trials. A leading role in this development was played by PETROBRAS - see Del Vecchio(1997) - resulting in the installation, in 1997, of the Petrobras XIX semi-submersible Production Unit, the world-first polyester synthetic fibre rope taut leg mooring system, in 800m water depth, and of several other fibre rope mooring systems, since then. Willing to accompany, in its role as a Classification Society, the development of such a challenging application, Bureau Veritas developed specific procedures for the Classification of fibre ropes mooring systems and for the Certification of synthetic fibre ropes.
Synthetic fibre ropes, in their marine applications, have been, for many years now, the subject of constant efforts in the rope industry, both on fibres and on rope constructions, towards better and more durable products, to meet the many demands of the marine industry, particularly hawsers for SPM oil terminals.
