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Wave-induced motions of gas cat: a novel catamaran for gas processing and offloading

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 12:14 authored by Giles Thomas, Ford, A, Kibby, L, Jonathan BinnsJonathan Binns, Finnie, I, Kavanagh, N
The preliminary development of the novel concept of using a large catamaran, known as Gas Cat, as a floating natural gas processing and offloading facility is outlined. The proposed system is based on two ship-shaped hulls joined by a spanning superstructure. For off-loading purposes a carrier may dock with or be tethered to the catamaran. A concept design has been developed based on two retrofitted VLCCs allowing for the processing and storage of 1 × 106 bbls of condensate and approximately 240,000 m3 of liquefied natural gas. A key aspect of the development of this concept is the accurate estimation of the motions of the catamaran in a variety of operational scenarios. Model experiments were conducted in the Model Test Basin of the Australian Maritime College using a 1:78 scale model of two full-form hulls converted into a catamaran configuration. Tests were conducted in head, beam, and oblique seas for two hull spacings and a range of wave heights. The experimental results show that for the range of wave conditions tested good linearity of the motions can be expected with respect to wave height. An increase in demihull separation was found to significantly reduce the sway, heave, and roll motions in beam seas. However, a change in demihull separation had little influence on the motions in oblique seas. A change in heading angle from head seas to beam seas significantly increased the sway, heave, and roll motions while reducing pitch motions. Bow quartering seas were seen to be the worst heading angle for yaw. The results from the experiments allowed the expected motions of the Gas Cat to be determined in extreme weather conditions.

History

Publication title

Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering

Volume

134

Article number

021102

Number

021102

Pagination

1-7

ISSN

0892-7219

Department/School

Australian Maritime College

Publisher

Asme-Amer Soc Mechanical Eng

Place of publication

Three Park Ave, New York, USA, Ny, 10016-5990

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 ASME

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Oil and gas processing

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    University Of Tasmania

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