Logistic Support of a Manned Underwater Production Complex

1 Introduction.- 2 The Environment of Operations.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 The Ocean Environment.- 2.3 Ocean Environmental Parameters: Continental Slope.- 2.3.1 Pressure.- 2.3.2 Temperature.- 2.3.3 Salinity.- 2.3.4 Density.- 2.3.5 Currents.- 2.3.6 Turbidity Currents.- 2.3.7 Bottom Sediments.- 2.3.8 Seismic and Volcanic Activity.- 2.3.9 Waves.- 2.3.10 Corrosion.- 2.3.11 Fouling.- 2.3.12 Ice.- 2.3.13 Hostile Sea Life.- 2.3.14 Debris on the Ocean Floor.- 2.3.15 Light Transmission.- 2.3.16 Sound Transmission.- 3 Operational Requirements and Systems Constraints.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Operational Parameters.- 3.3 Operational Requirements.- 3.3.1 Auxiliary Operational Requirements.- 3.4 System Constraints.- 3.4.1 Environmental Constraints.- 3.4.2 Support System Constraints.- 3.4.3 Production System Constraints.- 3.4.4 Human Factor Constraints.- 3.5 Candidate Logistic Support Systems.- 3.5.1 Surface Support Vessels.- 3.5.2 Mid-water Vehicles.- 3.5.3 Sea-Bottom Systems.- 3.6 Critical Operational Areas.- 4 Transit and Emplacement of Structures.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Site Preparation and Assessment.- 4.3 Towing.- 4.3.1 Draught and Width.- 4.3.2 Hydrodynamic Considerations.- 4.3.3 Towing Speed.- 4.4 Emplacement at Site Location.- 4.4.1 Dynamic Response of Emplaced Structure to Currents and Seismic Forces.- 5 Logistic Support Loads.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Costs of Support Operations.- 5.3 Liberal Design of the Complex.- 5.4 Logistic Payloads.- 5.4.1 Personnel.- 5.4.2 Food.- 5.5 Logistic Support Operating Philosophy.- 6 Support Vehicle.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Submersibles: General.- 6.2.1 Submersibles: General Characteristics.- 6.3 Operational Role of the Submersible.- 6.3.1 Task Requirements.- 6.3.2 System Constraints to Submersible Operations.- 6.4 Submersible Features.- 6.4.1 Pressure Hulls.- 6.4.2 Ballast System.- 6.4.3 Propulsion and Manoeuvring System.- 6.4.4 Submersible Control.- 6.4.5 Mating.- 6.4.6 Power Requirements.- 6.4.7 Sensors.- 6.4.8 Navigation.- 6.4.9 Communications.- 6.4.10 Life Support.- 6.4.11 Support Systems.- 6.5 Bells.- 6.6 Autonomous Submarine.- 7 Ingress/Egress System for Complex.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Basic Philosophy of the Ingress/ Egress System.- 7.3 Ingress/Egress System Concept.- 7.3.1 Configuration of Structure.- 7.3.2 Environmental Conditions.- 7.3.3 Logistic Support Requirements.- 7.4 Access Chamber.- 7.4.1 Access Chamber as Safe Haven and/or Escape Capsule.- 7.4.2 Access Chamber Services: Transfer Operations.- 7.5 Resupply Operations.- 7.5.1 Transfer Operations.- 7.5.2 Sequence of Transfer Operations.- 7.5.3 Transfer of Injured Personnel from Complex.- 7.5.4 Hatches.- 7.5.5 Dimension Restrictions.- 7.5.6 Mating to Access Chamber.- 7.6 Potential Hazards.- 7.6.1 Impact Collision.- 7.6.2 Currents.- 7.6.3 Seal Failure.- 7.6.4 Hatch Protection.- 7.6.5 Warning Devices.- 8 Surface and Subsea Support Systems.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Underwater Vehicle Launch and Recovery.- 8.2.1 Submersibles.- 8.2.2 Bells.- 8.3 Support System Concepts.- 8.3.1 Permanently Moored Tanker.- 8.3.2 Semi-submersible Utilities Platform.- 8.3.3 Semi-submersible Workover Platform.- 8.3.4 SWATH Vessel.- 8.3.5 Autonomous Submarine.- 8.3.6 Summary.- 8.4 Inverted Support System Concept.- 8.5 Conclusion.- 9 Conclusions.- 10 Recommendations.- References.