Proven high efficiency anchor for harsh cyclonic environments

Abstract

Harsh offshore environments in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Australia have lead to a compelling need for high efficiency anchors that present minimal risk to natural and industry assets when utilized for mooring. Efficiency is measured in both capacity versus mass and in the relative cost of installation for a given application. Risk to assets is measured by performance when mooring systems are overloaded by cyclonic storms in excess of the design condition. This paper covers the key development steps of the OMNI-Max anchor; high efficiency gravity installed marine foundation for mooring. Included are the key design challenges, the fundamental behavioral properties of the anchor, experience from offshore testing, full scale installation histories, and documented tropical cyclone performance.