Preliminary Design and Optimization of Subsea Shuttle Ring-Reinforced Pressure Hull using the Response Surfaces Methodology

Abstract

Pipelines and tanker ships are the main hydrocarbons transportation systems operate in the North Sea. Oil and gas fields in remote and harsh locations cannot be served well by these two transportation systems. One of the main obstacles is the weather. In an effort to answer the above needs, a new hydrocarbon transportation system is developed which is expected to combine the advantages of pipeline and tanker technology while eliminating the weaknesses of both technologies. The new alternative hydrocarbon transportation system came in the form of submarine called subsea shuttle.

Subsea shuttle is designed to be able to operate at certain depths. Thus, the hydrostatic load encountered will be varied and high. This challenge requires a pressure hull design that is able to withstand the environmental loads. Otherwise, the buckling may occur. A pressure hull that is well designed, usually large and heavy. This will cause the development of the subsea shuttle to be expensive and inefficient. The optimization method can be used to maximize pressure hull performance without significantly increasing its size and weight. By determining the key parameters that affect the pressure hull, an optimum pressure hull design can be obtained