An Experimental Approach for the Offshore Launching of Jack Ups

Abstract

Recently, as part of the building contract for the new Brazilian jackup drilling platforms, an operational challenge was raised: to launch these units from the building site, where neither dry dock nor launching ground ways exist. Economically, the best alternative was to launch these jackups using the available barges used commonly for jacket launch. Due to the marked differences between a jacket and a jackup, the implementation of this novel launch operation required a careful feasibility study. Model tests were required to measure the motions of the barge and the jackup and to evaluate the loads on the barge rocker arms. The present paper discusses the experimental approach, test setup, calibration procedures, and some results from the hydrodynamics perspective.