Transportation and float over installation of South Pars Gas Field - Phase1 living quarters platform in the Persian Gulf

In this paper, transportation and float over installation operation of SPQ1 living quarters platform on designated 6 legged jacket, by "SADRA FLB 124" barge, will be reviewed. The living quarters platform SPQ1 forms the accommodation for the development complex, and has a weight about 3750 tonnes and plan dimensions of 34 m /spl times/ 31 m. The main items which will be discussed are transportation system and stability analysis, ballasting system and barge longitudinal strength, mooring system and loads on the barge and shock absorbing system and probable impacts, and also float over installation method. Based on the barge and topside specifications, environmental conditions during transportation and referring to related standards and codes such as DNV, appropriate tug boats with sufficient bollard pull and maneuverability are selected. Ballast operation is remotely controlled from the main control console by controlling the butterfly control valves and ballast pumps provided for this purpose. The control system, provides appropriate volume of water for each tank, based on the dynamic model of the float over installation operation, which the effects of load transfer and also tide have been considered in it. The main computer software was developed using MATLAB 6.1, but it was translated to C++ language for better calculation speed and more compatibility. Longitudinal strength check during different stages of the installation is done. Mooring system is used to control the position of the barge during entrance between jacket legs. The required tension of the wire ropes is determined, based on the information about wave characteristics, speed of tidal current and also wind. For better positioning and avoiding shock loads during entrance between legs and installation and also uniform load distribution on the platform and jacket legs, Leg Mating Units (LMUs), bearing pads and fenders are used. At the end of paper, float over installation of the deck will be described.