Laboratory of Analysis and Reliability of Offshore Structures - LACEO

Encouraged by an intense exchange with PETROBRAS for the fulfillment of countless scientific and technologic projects since 1977, LACEO has specialized on research and development of computational methodologies, procedures and programs for the static and dynamic analysis of fixed and compliant offshore platforms. These activities include analysis and numerical modeling of fixed platforms and their foundations, static and dynamic analysis (deterministic and random) of floating stationery platforms and their risers and submarine pipelines; and analysis and statistical treatment of the random dynamic response of offshore structures, among others. LACEO researchers were involved on the project of the first jacket structures installed in the Brazilian coast; the anticipated floating production systems, the floating production units such as semi-submersed platforms and the FPSOs ships with turret type or differentiated compliant (DICAS) anchorage. Currently, they act on projects of new concepts of floating units for oil production with low vertical movement.

                                                                

                                                                         Production floating systems

During the last 15 years LACEO has also acted in the area of structural reliability and has employed this methodology on important PETROBRAS projects, such as the use of polyester fibers in Taut Leg mooring system lines allowing oil exploitation in deeper waters of the Brazilian coast. Other projects developed in this area deal with risk based inspection planning of oil industry equipment and structures. In this approach the results of previous inspections are considered to establish the schedule for future inspections. 

                                                            
                                         Optimization of fatigue periodical inspections of fixed platform joints

Through the development of numerical models of local analysis using finite element method, LACEO has worked in several innovative projects in partnership with PETROBRAS such as: torpedo-stake project, flexible risers for bodies of water equal or greater than 2800m project and re-qualification of flexible lines obtaining service life extension through their use in new applications.

                                        
                                                                                     Local analysis of a flexible pipe

The interaction with industry qualified LACEO to develop computational programs for specific areas of offshore engineering such as:

• Analysis of risers and mooring systems
• Analysis of floating unit movements
• Foundation analysis
• Statistical analysis of temporal series
• Structural reliability analysis
• Fatigue inspection planning in fixed platforms