Oceanic hydrodynamic processes around the Shetland Islands
a data study on the prevailing ocean conditions and main characteristics
J. Kroes (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
G.J. de Boer – Mentor
Julie D. Pietrzak – Coach
Caroline Katsman – Coach
M. Verlaan – Coach
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Abstract
Subsea Rock Installation vessels cover pipelines, which transport oil from oil and gas fields. This is done by means of a flexible fallpipe until depths of 1000 meters. Around the Shetland Islands, the workability of the vessels at two specific project locations is compromised by the conditions in the ocean. In this research, data from a 3D hydrodynamic model and logged information from the vessels has been analysed and combined to find an explanation for these problems. At the second location, for tidal flow to the east or east-northeast in the bottom and middle part of the water column, it is highly likely that the working activities have to be interrupted. Moreover, if the value of the turbulent vertical eddy viscosity exceeds 0.028 m²/s, the chance on non-working conditions increases with 70%. For the other project location, these kind of correlations have not been observed.