Load-out operation of South Pars Gas Field-phase 1 production platform in the Persian Gulf

The load-out operation of the SPP1 production platform is reviewed. The main items discussed are mooring, push/pull and ballasting systems. Mooring system is used for aligning the skid beams of the barge and skid beams of the heavy platform area. The required tension of the wire ropes is determined, based on the information about speed of tidal current and also wind. The push/pull system is used to pull the heavy platform from the yard to the "SADRA FLB-124" work barge. Because of limitations on minimum breaking load of the wire ropes and also load capacity of the bollards, pulling cylinders must be located on the barge. PLC based ballasting system is used to keep the barge horizontal and also in an appropriate level. The main effects that have been considered in the modeling of the load-out operation, are load movement and also tide. The main computer software was developed using MATLAB 5.3.1 R11, but it was translated to C/sup ++/ language for better calculation speed and more compatibility.