Author(s): Kenneth Eik; Ove Tobias Gudmestad

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Abstract: A methodology for systematic evaluation of the need for an iceberg management system and the efficiency of various components such as detection, deflection and disconnection has been developed. The approach is based on the combination between a numerical iceberg drift model and a probabilistic analysis. Experiences from Canadian iceberg detection studies and iceberg deflection operations have been incorporated into the model. The methodology describes the concept: an offshore installation and an iceberg management system, as a traditional industrial system, i. e. a system which is designed so that it works well under normal conditions. Under some circumstances, an event occur which stops the operation of the system. In order to prevent such a stop, different types of safety barriers may be considered in order to increase the redundancy in the system and thereby increase the operability. In the present work, the iceberg management means are treated as such safety barriers. For a selected site in the Barents Sea, it was found that the maximum impact load corresponding to an abnormal event (10 000 year return period) was 85 MJ for a concept without any iceberg management capabilities. An alternative system with iceberg detection, iceberg deflection and disconnection capabilities including emergency disconnect indicated a corresponding extreme load of about 4.5 MJ.

DOI:

Year: 2010