10/04/28 World deepest TLP tested for Chevron and FloaTEC as MARIN’s 9,000th model
WAGENINGEN – Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Last week scale model tests started on the world deepest TLP (5187 ft) at MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands) for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and FloaTEC. The ‘Big Foot’ TLP represents MARIN’s 9,000th test model since the institute started in 1932.
Chevron considers this Extended Tension Leg Platform (ETLP) designed by FloaTEC for the ‘Big Foot’ Field development in Gulf of Mexico. The platform will be a local host with dry trees and the associated Top Tensioned Risers (TTRs), with full drilling, workover and sidetrack capability on the topsides. The field is located in Walker Ridge Block 29 in the Gulf of Mexico. Chevron is the operator of Big Foot and the other co-owners are Statoil USA E&P and Marubeni Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.
The model tests are focused on the behavior of the platform in Gulf of Mexico Hurricane conditions. The large water depth required the use of the deep pit (30m) in the MARIN Offshore Basin. Together with its dedicated wave generators, wind fans and special current generation system, this basin offers unique possibilities for the modeling of realistic current, waves and wind at scale.
The two milestones were celebrated with representatives of the two clients involved: Ming-Yao Lee (Team Manager Offshore & Marine Structures) of Chevron and Edward Huang (Director Engineering) of FloaTEC. Together they baptized the ‘Big Foot’ model 9000 in the presence of Arne Hubregtse (President of MARIN) and Bas Buchner (Vice President and Manager Offshore).
More information
Bas Buchner, Vice President and Manager Offshore
Tel. +31 317 493 465 / offshore@marin.nl April 28, 2010
Last week scale model tests started on the world deepest TLP (5187 ft) at MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands) for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and FloaTEC. The ‘Big Foot’ TLP represents MARIN’s 9,000th test model since the institute started in 1932.
Chevron considers this Extended Tension Leg Platform (ETLP) designed by FloaTEC for the ‘Big Foot’ Field development in Gulf of Mexico. The platform will be a local host with dry trees and the associated Top Tensioned Risers (TTRs), with full drilling, workover and sidetrack capability on the topsides. The field is located in Walker Ridge Block 29 in the Gulf of Mexico. Chevron is the operator of Big Foot and the other co-owners are Statoil USA E&P and Marubeni Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.
The model tests are focused on the behavior of the platform in Gulf of Mexico Hurricane conditions. The large water depth required the use of the deep pit (30m) in the MARIN Offshore Basin. Together with its dedicated wave generators, wind fans and special current generation system, this basin offers unique possibilities for the modeling of realistic current, waves and wind at scale.
The two milestones were celebrated with representatives of the two clients involved: Ming-Yao Lee (Team Manager Offshore & Marine Structures) of Chevron and Edward Huang (Director Engineering) of FloaTEC. Together they baptized the ‘Big Foot’ model 9000 in the presence of Arne Hubregtse (President of MARIN) and Bas Buchner (Vice President and Manager Offshore).
More information
Bas Buchner, Vice President and Manager Offshore
Tel. +31 317 493 465 / offshore@marin.nl April 28, 2010
