[an NSF Graduated Center] The OTRC’s mission is to provide technology, expertise, and services needed for the development of drilling, production, and transportation systems that enable the safe and economically viable exploitation of hydrocarbon resources in deep and ultra-deep water. The OTRC develops technology through a balanced program of basic and applied research projects that is focused in the following core technical areas: characterization of the ocean environment characterization of the seafloor environment environmental forces on structures and foundation systems, structural responses and integrity, and advanced composite materials. --- The Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC) is a graduated National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center supporting the offshore oil and gas industry. It is jointly operated by Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin. Established in 1988 with funding from the NSF and industry, the Center was created to conduct basic engineering research and develop systems for the economical and reliable recovery of hydrocarbons at ocean depths of 3,000 feet or more. During its first decade, the OTRC achieved a leadership role in cutting-edge research on critical elements of the deepwater production problem. The OTRC engages principal investigators from several departments at the two campuses, to perform interdisciplinary research in six principal areas: Floating Structures, Risers and Moorings, Materials, Seafloor Engineering, Subsea Systems, and Risk/Reliability Assessment/Management. In the past few years, gas and petroleum reserves under ultra-deep water (6,000 to 10,000 feet) on the continental slopes of the Gulf of Mexico have been demonstrated to be of enormous economic and strategic significance to the United States. OTRC’s wave basin is playing a pivotal role in the development of these reserves, and testing capabilities are continually being expanded and improved to meet the challenges of testing structures for greater depths. New technologies have contributed to the rising interest in exploration and development in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. This interest is evidenced by the recent offshore natural gas and oil lease sales in the Western Gulf of Mexico. As the industry moves into deeper water, new technical, safety and environmental challenges will arise. The OTRC has already demonstrated research strength in areas such as wave, current and wind loading on floating structures, mooring and riser analyses, application of high-performance composite materials to offshore structures and advanced techniques to explore and characterize the engineering properties of the largely unknown, deep seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico. The Center now stands ready with the expertise to address the need for new and evolving technologies, larger and more complex facilities, modification of procedures and additional environmental protection issues.
Research Areas
The Offshore Technology Research Center conducts basic and applied research into important problems of reliability and performance of deepwater offshore structures. That’s everything from mooring and riser systems, motions and loads, wind, wave and current forces, and seafloor characterization.
The OTRC conducts research on floating platforms that include Floating Production System Offloaders (FPSO), Tension Leg Platforms (TLP) and Spar Platforms (SPAR). In addition to studying the platforms themselves, the center also researches the external factors that affect the platforms. This includes wind, wave and current forces, motions and loads, risers and moorings, foundation systems, sub-sea wells, and seafloor characterization.
Offshore Technology Research Center areas of research
The research program is carried out by staff engineers and faculty of Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin. We focus on issues facing the deepwater oil industry to insure the safe advancement of developing technologies.
---
Research Capabilities
Our research program is carried out by staff engineers and faculty of Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin. We draw on the world-renowned research expertise of Texas A&M University College of Engineering, the University of Texas’ Cockrell School of Engineering and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station to conduct research in the following areas:
FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION
CFD modeling of
- Riser VIV
- Wave impact and greenwater loading
- Tank sloshing
Experimental measurement of extreme waves
- Optical velocimetry – PIV, BIV
- Void fraction (greenwater)
Coupled dynamics of floating structures
- Wave radiation/diffraction WAMMIT
- Separated flows (bilge keels)
- Moorings & risers coupled to floater – COUPLE
- Multi-body hydrodynamics – WINPOST
- Progressive failure and loss of stability
Scale model Testing
- OTRC wave basin
- Design of equivalent mooring and riser systems
SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION
Plasticity modeling of
- SCR trenching
- Suction caisson behavior
- Plate anchor behavior
CFD modeling of
- Torpedo pile penetration & capacity development
- Ice ridge/seafloor/pipeline interaction during ice gouging
FEM modeling of
- Suction caisson installation & capacity development
- Pipeline collapse and buckle propagation
Scale modeling of
- Suction caisson behavior (vertical load capacity)
- Plate anchor behavior (in- and out-of-plane loading to failure)
METOCEAN AND SEAFLOOR CHARACTERIZATION
High resolution seafloor mapping
- Geohazards (furrows, etc.)
- Core sampling and analysis
Nonlinear modeling of storm waves
- Long-short wave interaction
- Decomposition of random directional wave fields
GIS databases
- Seafloor properties
- Hurricane hindcast data
- Offshore infrastructure
Assessment of environmental risks
- Mudslides
- Slope stability
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Composite pipe (risers, tendons, pipelines)
- Constitutive modeling
- FEM modeling of combined loading effects
- Assessment of connectors and material layering
Intact and damaged capacity of polyester rope
- Testing to failure
- Theoretical modeling
RISK/RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
Comparative risk assessment of new technologies
- FPSO’s for Gulf of Mexico
- Composite risers
- Gas handling options
Assessment of environmental risks
- Hurricane damage
Utra-deepwater drilling
Human Factors Engineering
Facilities & Resources
OTRC Wave Basin The OTRC operates a unique model testing basin at its headquarters in College Station that has enabled OTRC to become a world leader for offshore technology, education, research, and testing. The wave basin has played a vital role in support of OTRC’s endeavor to help U.S. oil producers reach new depths in the Gulf of Mexico’s deepwater frontier. Most of the deepwater structures planned or installed in the Gulf of Mexico have been tested in the OTRC model wave basin. The model basin, is the most prominent symbol of the OTRC. Researchers use the tank to develop high-quality data sets against which sponsors can validate their models. A three-dimensional wave maker along with wind and current generators simulate the conditions facing deepwater structures. The facility has tested models of structures ranging from Tension Leg Platforms and Spars to Remotely Operated Vehicles for the petroleum industry and an Assured Crew Return Vehicle designed by NASA for the international space station. The OTRC model basin is capable of large scale simulations of the effects of wind, waves, and currents on fixed, floating and moored floating structures. The wave basin is 150 ft long and 100 ft wide, with a depth of 19 ft. The pit located in the center of the basin has a depth of 55 ft. With 48 individual controlled paddles, the wavemaker can generate a variety of wave conditions, including unidirectional and multidirectional regular and irregular (random) waves. Sixteen dynamically controlled fans can generate prescribed gusty wind conditions from any direction. A modular current generation system consisting of banks of submerged jets can generate sheared current profiles from any direction. The data acquisition system can record up to 96 channels of information. OTRC Wave Basin Specifications WAVE BASIN Basin Length: 150 ft. (45.7 m) Width: 100 ft. (30.5 m) Depth: 19 ft. (5.8 m) Deep Pit (Adjustable Depth) Length: 30 ft. (9.1 m) Width: 15 ft. (4.6 m) Depth: 19-55 ft. (5.8-16.8m) Wave Absorber Type: Progressive Expanded Metal Panels WAVE GENERATOR Waveboards Type: Hinged Flap Number: 48 Width: 2 ft. (0.6 m) Depth: 8 ft. (2.4 m) Height: 11.9 ft. (3.6 m) Performance Wave Types: Regular, Irregular, Long-crested, Focused, and Short-crested Period Range: 0.5-4.0 Seconds Maximum Wave Height: 34 in. (0.9 m) @ 2.3 – 3.0 seconds Power Supply: 600 HP (447 kw), 3000 psi hyd CURRENT GENERATOR Type: Multi-port jet manifolds that can be placed at variable depth in any direction relative to the waves to produce a locally homogenous, steady flow field in the vicinity of a model. Number of Manifolds: 9 Number of Nozzles/Manifold: 33 Nozzle Diameter: 3 inches Nozzle Spacing: 9 inches (23 cm) Pump Capacity: 0-36,000 gpm Velocity Range: 0-2+ ft/second TOWING CARRIAGE Velocity Range: 0-2 ft/sec (0-0.6 m/sec) WIND GENERATOR Type: Bank of multiple, variable fans that can be placed in any direction relative to the waves Number of Fans: 16 Installed HP: 160 Fan Capacity: 2,500,000 cfm (1,180,000 L/sec) Velocity Range: 0-40 ft/sec (0-12 m/sec) Frequency Range: 0-0.03 Hz TRACKING SYSTEM Type: Qualisys 8 Camera setup which accomplishes 6 Degree of Freedom model tracking Maximum Camera Frame Rate = 75 Hz Accuracy to 1/2 mm DATA ACQUISITION Type: 2 National Instruments PXIe chassis with embedded controllers. Each chassis contains 8 slots for data acquisition and signal conditioning. Configurable multifunction data-acquisition system with sample rates up to 10 kS/s. Capabilities: 32bit rotary encoder inputs, 24 bit strain/bridge measurements, 16 bit analog inputs, 16 bit analog outputs, Built-in anti-aliasing filters with additional software selectable filtering available Common Measurements: Acceleration, Motions and Position (6 degrees of freedom), Strain/Force, Wave height, Pressure, Water flow (current), Wind speed
Partner Organizations
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
The University of Texas at Austin Cockrell School of Engineering
Abbreviation |
OTRC
|
Country |
United States
|
Region |
Americas
|
Primary Language |
English
|
Evidence of Intl Collaboration? |
|
Industry engagement required? |
Associated Funding Agencies |
Contact Name |
Richard Mercier
|
Contact Title |
Director
|
Contact E-Mail |
rsmercier@tamu.edu
|
Website |
|
General E-mail |
info@otrc.tamu.edu
|
Phone |
(979) 845-6000
|
Address |
1200 Mariner Drive
Texas A&M Research Park
College Station
TX
77845
|
[an NSF Graduated Center] The OTRC’s mission is to provide technology, expertise, and services needed for the development of drilling, production, and transportation systems that enable the safe and economically viable exploitation of hydrocarbon resources in deep and ultra-deep water. The OTRC develops technology through a balanced program of basic and applied research projects that is focused in the following core technical areas: characterization of the ocean environment characterization of the seafloor environment environmental forces on structures and foundation systems, structural responses and integrity, and advanced composite materials. --- The Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC) is a graduated National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center supporting the offshore oil and gas industry. It is jointly operated by Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin. Established in 1988 with funding from the NSF and industry, the Center was created to conduct basic engineering research and develop systems for the economical and reliable recovery of hydrocarbons at ocean depths of 3,000 feet or more. During its first decade, the OTRC achieved a leadership role in cutting-edge research on critical elements of the deepwater production problem. The OTRC engages principal investigators from several departments at the two campuses, to perform interdisciplinary research in six principal areas: Floating Structures, Risers and Moorings, Materials, Seafloor Engineering, Subsea Systems, and Risk/Reliability Assessment/Management. In the past few years, gas and petroleum reserves under ultra-deep water (6,000 to 10,000 feet) on the continental slopes of the Gulf of Mexico have been demonstrated to be of enormous economic and strategic significance to the United States. OTRC’s wave basin is playing a pivotal role in the development of these reserves, and testing capabilities are continually being expanded and improved to meet the challenges of testing structures for greater depths. New technologies have contributed to the rising interest in exploration and development in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. This interest is evidenced by the recent offshore natural gas and oil lease sales in the Western Gulf of Mexico. As the industry moves into deeper water, new technical, safety and environmental challenges will arise. The OTRC has already demonstrated research strength in areas such as wave, current and wind loading on floating structures, mooring and riser analyses, application of high-performance composite materials to offshore structures and advanced techniques to explore and characterize the engineering properties of the largely unknown, deep seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico. The Center now stands ready with the expertise to address the need for new and evolving technologies, larger and more complex facilities, modification of procedures and additional environmental protection issues.
Abbreviation |
OTRC
|
Country |
United States
|
Region |
Americas
|
Primary Language |
English
|
Evidence of Intl Collaboration? |
|
Industry engagement required? |
Associated Funding Agencies |
Contact Name |
Richard Mercier
|
Contact Title |
Director
|
Contact E-Mail |
rsmercier@tamu.edu
|
Website |
|
General E-mail |
info@otrc.tamu.edu
|
Phone |
(979) 845-6000
|
Address |
1200 Mariner Drive
Texas A&M Research Park
College Station
TX
77845
|
Research Areas
The Offshore Technology Research Center conducts basic and applied research into important problems of reliability and performance of deepwater offshore structures. That’s everything from mooring and riser systems, motions and loads, wind, wave and current forces, and seafloor characterization.
The OTRC conducts research on floating platforms that include Floating Production System Offloaders (FPSO), Tension Leg Platforms (TLP) and Spar Platforms (SPAR). In addition to studying the platforms themselves, the center also researches the external factors that affect the platforms. This includes wind, wave and current forces, motions and loads, risers and moorings, foundation systems, sub-sea wells, and seafloor characterization.
Offshore Technology Research Center areas of research
The research program is carried out by staff engineers and faculty of Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin. We focus on issues facing the deepwater oil industry to insure the safe advancement of developing technologies.
---
Research Capabilities
Our research program is carried out by staff engineers and faculty of Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin. We draw on the world-renowned research expertise of Texas A&M University College of Engineering, the University of Texas’ Cockrell School of Engineering and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station to conduct research in the following areas:
FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION
CFD modeling of
- Riser VIV
- Wave impact and greenwater loading
- Tank sloshing
Experimental measurement of extreme waves
- Optical velocimetry – PIV, BIV
- Void fraction (greenwater)
Coupled dynamics of floating structures
- Wave radiation/diffraction WAMMIT
- Separated flows (bilge keels)
- Moorings & risers coupled to floater – COUPLE
- Multi-body hydrodynamics – WINPOST
- Progressive failure and loss of stability
Scale model Testing
- OTRC wave basin
- Design of equivalent mooring and riser systems
SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION
Plasticity modeling of
- SCR trenching
- Suction caisson behavior
- Plate anchor behavior
CFD modeling of
- Torpedo pile penetration & capacity development
- Ice ridge/seafloor/pipeline interaction during ice gouging
FEM modeling of
- Suction caisson installation & capacity development
- Pipeline collapse and buckle propagation
Scale modeling of
- Suction caisson behavior (vertical load capacity)
- Plate anchor behavior (in- and out-of-plane loading to failure)
METOCEAN AND SEAFLOOR CHARACTERIZATION
High resolution seafloor mapping
- Geohazards (furrows, etc.)
- Core sampling and analysis
Nonlinear modeling of storm waves
- Long-short wave interaction
- Decomposition of random directional wave fields
GIS databases
- Seafloor properties
- Hurricane hindcast data
- Offshore infrastructure
Assessment of environmental risks
- Mudslides
- Slope stability
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Composite pipe (risers, tendons, pipelines)
- Constitutive modeling
- FEM modeling of combined loading effects
- Assessment of connectors and material layering
Intact and damaged capacity of polyester rope
- Testing to failure
- Theoretical modeling
RISK/RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
Comparative risk assessment of new technologies
- FPSO’s for Gulf of Mexico
- Composite risers
- Gas handling options
Assessment of environmental risks
- Hurricane damage
Utra-deepwater drilling
Human Factors Engineering
Facilities & Resources
OTRC Wave Basin The OTRC operates a unique model testing basin at its headquarters in College Station that has enabled OTRC to become a world leader for offshore technology, education, research, and testing. The wave basin has played a vital role in support of OTRC’s endeavor to help U.S. oil producers reach new depths in the Gulf of Mexico’s deepwater frontier. Most of the deepwater structures planned or installed in the Gulf of Mexico have been tested in the OTRC model wave basin. The model basin, is the most prominent symbol of the OTRC. Researchers use the tank to develop high-quality data sets against which sponsors can validate their models. A three-dimensional wave maker along with wind and current generators simulate the conditions facing deepwater structures. The facility has tested models of structures ranging from Tension Leg Platforms and Spars to Remotely Operated Vehicles for the petroleum industry and an Assured Crew Return Vehicle designed by NASA for the international space station. The OTRC model basin is capable of large scale simulations of the effects of wind, waves, and currents on fixed, floating and moored floating structures. The wave basin is 150 ft long and 100 ft wide, with a depth of 19 ft. The pit located in the center of the basin has a depth of 55 ft. With 48 individual controlled paddles, the wavemaker can generate a variety of wave conditions, including unidirectional and multidirectional regular and irregular (random) waves. Sixteen dynamically controlled fans can generate prescribed gusty wind conditions from any direction. A modular current generation system consisting of banks of submerged jets can generate sheared current profiles from any direction. The data acquisition system can record up to 96 channels of information. OTRC Wave Basin Specifications WAVE BASIN Basin Length: 150 ft. (45.7 m) Width: 100 ft. (30.5 m) Depth: 19 ft. (5.8 m) Deep Pit (Adjustable Depth) Length: 30 ft. (9.1 m) Width: 15 ft. (4.6 m) Depth: 19-55 ft. (5.8-16.8m) Wave Absorber Type: Progressive Expanded Metal Panels WAVE GENERATOR Waveboards Type: Hinged Flap Number: 48 Width: 2 ft. (0.6 m) Depth: 8 ft. (2.4 m) Height: 11.9 ft. (3.6 m) Performance Wave Types: Regular, Irregular, Long-crested, Focused, and Short-crested Period Range: 0.5-4.0 Seconds Maximum Wave Height: 34 in. (0.9 m) @ 2.3 – 3.0 seconds Power Supply: 600 HP (447 kw), 3000 psi hyd CURRENT GENERATOR Type: Multi-port jet manifolds that can be placed at variable depth in any direction relative to the waves to produce a locally homogenous, steady flow field in the vicinity of a model. Number of Manifolds: 9 Number of Nozzles/Manifold: 33 Nozzle Diameter: 3 inches Nozzle Spacing: 9 inches (23 cm) Pump Capacity: 0-36,000 gpm Velocity Range: 0-2+ ft/second TOWING CARRIAGE Velocity Range: 0-2 ft/sec (0-0.6 m/sec) WIND GENERATOR Type: Bank of multiple, variable fans that can be placed in any direction relative to the waves Number of Fans: 16 Installed HP: 160 Fan Capacity: 2,500,000 cfm (1,180,000 L/sec) Velocity Range: 0-40 ft/sec (0-12 m/sec) Frequency Range: 0-0.03 Hz TRACKING SYSTEM Type: Qualisys 8 Camera setup which accomplishes 6 Degree of Freedom model tracking Maximum Camera Frame Rate = 75 Hz Accuracy to 1/2 mm DATA ACQUISITION Type: 2 National Instruments PXIe chassis with embedded controllers. Each chassis contains 8 slots for data acquisition and signal conditioning. Configurable multifunction data-acquisition system with sample rates up to 10 kS/s. Capabilities: 32bit rotary encoder inputs, 24 bit strain/bridge measurements, 16 bit analog inputs, 16 bit analog outputs, Built-in anti-aliasing filters with additional software selectable filtering available Common Measurements: Acceleration, Motions and Position (6 degrees of freedom), Strain/Force, Wave height, Pressure, Water flow (current), Wind speed
Partner Organizations
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
The University of Texas at Austin Cockrell School of Engineering