Wave Energy in Drift Control of Offshore Platform

Abstract

Precise station keeping of deeper offshore platform is of vital importance both for drilling and production operations. With the gradual expansion of offshore activities towards deeper water and more severe seastates, loads on conventional motion and drift control mechanisms are increasing, resulting in a corresponding increase in operation costs. An oscillating hydrofoil has proved itself to be an efficient converter of wave energy to useful thrust. This simple device has great potential for offshore applications, particularly in controlling wave induced mean horizontal drift forces.