Industry Papers

The Development of a Machine Learning-based Image Recognition Tool for Coating Inspections 

2020 SNAME Best OTC Paper Award Winner!

Improved remote inspection technologies (such as drones) are enabling safer and more efficient visual inspections of coating conditions in historically hard to reach and dangerous locations on marine and offshore assets. These technologies may generate a significant amount of data (still images, video) and thus can be challenging for inspectors to identify potential coating failures.

This presentation presents the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Machine Learning (ML) - based image recognition tool to aid inspectors in the review of data to help make coating condition assessments.

^{Wen, F., Gu, H., Wang, B., Vitali, T., & Rasberry, H. (2020, May 4). The Development of a Machine Learning-Based Image Recognition Tool for Coating Inspections. Offshore Technology Conference. doi:10.4043/30504-MS}

Improving Mooring Reliability Through Risk Based Monitoring and Inspection

Over the last decades, a number of  mooring  incidents  have  been  reported  in  the  public  domain  by conference papers and safety alerts. Mooring chain corrosion and fatigue have been reported as dominant incident triggers for these mooring incidents. Corrosion development is closely related to the locations of the mooring site. Fatigue is related to environmental conditions as well as mooring configuration for the mooring line load.

This presentation provides a review of the environmental conditions and water quality at offshore mooring sites. Important factors affecting mooring line load and load bearing capacity (mooring line degradation) are investigated.

_{Wang, S. S. (2020, May 4). Improving Mooring Reliability Through Risk Based Monitoring and Inspection. Offshore Technology Conference. doi:10.4043/30529-MS}

Development of Requirements for Safer Operations of FLNG Units 

Floating Liquefaction Natural Gas units, or FLNGs, have matured as a technology in recent years with more units coming on-line.

The challenge with integrating elements of onshore LNG production plants, LNG shipping and offshore floating production and offloading (FPSOs), into one floater with limited space and load bearing capacity, was significant, necessitating the development of design guidelines. 

This presentation will show how the different standards and rule sets are brought together as a comprehensive regulatory approach. Standards and class rules are utilized to bring together an approach that results in a design and construction that satisfies the needs of flag, class, coastal state and owner.

_{Guttulsrød, T.-I. (2020, May 4). Development of Requirements for Safer Operations of FLNG Units. Offshore Technology Conference. doi:10.4043/30523-MS}

Unmanned/Minimally Manned Floating Deepwater Installations: Design and Safety Considerations

The latest focus in floating offshore developments is to minimize or remove the human presence onboard by utilizing remote operations. This may reduce personnel exposure and potentially overall costs by using new technologies. 

This presentation presents guidance to develop and manage an unmanned or minimally manned facility through lifecycle activities of design, construction, integration, testing, operation, monitoring, inspection and maintenance in comparison with conventional facilities.

_{Patel, H., Kalghatgi, S., Feijo, L., & Scott, R. (2020, May 4). Unmanned / Minimally Manned Floating Deepwater Installations: Design and Safety Considerations. Offshore Technology Conference. doi:10.4043/30486-MS}

First Class Certification on HMPE Fiber Ropes for Permanent Floating Wind Turbine Mooring System

This paper presents the ABS certification process to demonstrate how the proposed HMPE ropes with DM20 low creep fiber meet the class requirement and project specific needs. It also addresses the major concerns from the offshore industry about HMPE ropes such as creep, creep rupture, UV effect, and marine growth.

_{Bosman, R., Zhang, Q., Leao, A., & Godreau, C. (2020, May 4). First Class Certification on HMPE Fiber Ropes for Permanent Floating Wind Turbine Mooring System. Offshore Technology Conference. doi:10.4043/30475-MS}