LAUSR

In this study, dynamic response analysis of a heave compensation system for offshore drilling operations was conducted based on multibody dynamics. The efficiency of the heave compensation system was computed using simulation techniques and virtually confirmed before being applied to drilling operations. The heave compensation system was installed on a semi-submersible and comprises several interconnected bodies with various joints. Therefore, a dynamics kernel based on multibody dynamics was developed to perform dynamic response analysis. The recursive Newton–Euler formulation was adopted to construct the equations of motion for the multibody system. Functions of the developed dynamics kernel were verified by comparing them with those from other studies. Hydrostatic force, linearized hydrodynamic force, and pneumatic and hydraulic control forces were considered the external forces acting on the platform of the semi-submersible rig and the heave compensation system. The dynamic simulation was performed for the heave compensation system of the semi-submersible rig for drilling operations up to 3600 m water depth. From the results of the simulation, the efficiency of the heave compensation system was evaluated to be approximately 96.7%.