Being a relatively new concept for production of oil and gas, and breaking new grounds in terms of the environmental conditions, a very thorough design process is required for floating production systems. Model tests are necessary to determine their limitations in operations and survival conditions.

DHI has conducted a number of model test programmes with the objectives of testing the functionality of floating production vessels and testing various types of mooring systems.

These tests cover the system performance in combination of wind, waves and current from different directions.

Wave loads on vessels and associated forces in mooring systems are also assessed numerically using the software package WAMIT.