The cylindrical FPSO is now in operation at three offshore oilfields, on in Brazil and two in the UK Central North Sea. It is furthermore selected for a field development in the harsh and sub-arctic Norwegian Barents Sea. Full scale monitoring of motions on units in operation has verified predictions, confirming very favorable motions when compared to shipshape FPSOs and even semi submersibles.In 2009, a study was awarded by a major oil company to investigate the feasibility of applying Steel Catenary Risers (SCR) with a cylindrical FPSO at a location with deep water and very harsh environment. Results from the initial analysis proved feasibility and associated model testing has allowed calibration of first order and second order analysis methods and particularity have lead to a better understanding of second order and heave coupled pitch motion effects.Adaptation of the cyclindrical hull to improve its characteristics as a host platform for steel catenary risers has been the incentive for the case study outlined in this paper. Platform and riser optimisation should be field specific, but the results presented for a very harsh environment, demonstrate the feasibility of steel catenary risers with a cylindrical FPSO at any location, worldwide.In this paper, the focus is on demonstrating how a cylindrical FPSO/SCR design spiral can progress towards meeting the challenges of a harsh environment with competitive hull/riser combinations.
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