A Methodology for Assessing the Reliability of TLP Tethers Under Maximum and Minimum Lifetime Loads

by H. Banon, Exxon Production Research Co, United States,
S. J. Harding, Exxon Production Research Co, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Structural Safety and Reliability

Abstract:

The Tension Leg Platform (TLP) is a large, floating offshore platform for producing oil and gas in deep water. The TLP is moored to the ocean floor by vertical tethers. Loads in the tethers have several components that are time-variant and non-Gaussian. This paper presents a probabilistic method for combination of the tether loads. The procedure was applied to a Gulf of Mexico TLP design where the extreme environment is due to the occurrence of random hurricanes. The calculated reliability of the TLP tethers was compared to the calculated reliability of fixed offshore platforms that form the basis of the industry experience.

Subject Headings: Offshore platforms | Load factors | Probability | Load combinations | Gaussian process | Tensile strength | Maximum loads | Gulf of Mexico

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