• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.478-492
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• 2021

In this study, hull dimensions of an FPSO were optimized to maximize its operability at Brazil field. In contrast with the previous works which have used simplified models to evaluate some indicators related to stability and hydrodynamic performances of FPSOs for its own optimal design, we developed a generic hull and compartment modeler and sophisticated stability and hydrodynamic calculation modules. With the aid of the developed tools, the hull optimization was performed with initial dimensions of an FPSO originally designed for west Africa field. The optimization results indicated the relative importance of hydrodynamic performances compared with stability performances for the FPSO hull dimensioning by showing that there were 3 active constraints related to them, which were the natural periods of heave and roll and the maximum pitch angle under 1-year return period waves at full load condition. To the author's knowledge, this study is the first attempt to combine altogether the hull and compartment modeling and full set of stability and hydrodynamic calculations precisely to optimize an FPSO's hull dimensions within 30 min. Also, it is worthwhile to mention that the developed methods are generic enough to be applied to all types of ship-shaped offshore platforms.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.734-745
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• 2021

In order to achieve a good and competitive FPSO design, the building cost and the motion performances are the two most critical and conflicting KPIs to be considered. In this study, the author's previous work (Lee, et al., 2021) on the optimization of an FPSO's hull dimensions with 1800 MBBLs storage capacity at Brazil field was extended using a multi-objective parametric optimization with the hull steel weight and the operability which are closely related to the building cost and the operational cost during the lifetime, respectively. For the purpose of more realistic and practical FPSO design, the constraints related to crew comfort and the safe helicopter take-off and landing operation were newly added. Also, the green water on deck was calculated accurately to check the suitability of the designed freeboard height using a newly developed real-time calculation module for the relative wave elevations. With aids of this updated optimization formulation, we presented multiple optimal FPSO dimensions expressed as a Pareto set which aids FPSO designers to conveniently select the practical and competitive dimensions. The excellence of the developed approach was verified by comparing the optimization results with those of FPSOs dimensioned for operation at West Africa and Brazil field.