Offshore Monitoring Systems

The vibration activity monitor is a relatively simple hardware and software system designed to provide updated predictions of the fatigue-loading activity in the jacket major-member welds of offshore oil platforms. Positioned on the platform cellar deck, the vibration recorder measures platform deck motion with two orthogonal accelerometers.

These motions are processed in real-time to provide continuous records of the direction and frequency of platform motion. The recorded data is combined with transfer functions from a finite element structural model, in order to predict and rank the fatigue activity in the joints. These predictions are used to verify the platform design fatigue analysis, to understand where unanticipated fatigue activity has occurred and to define the welds for underwater inspection.

This monitoring information will result in cost savings, maximized operating window, increased safety, minimized fatigue on critical elements, and generally improve the understanding of the platform behavior.