Determination of Wave Spectra for Offshore Platforms : Tabasco Littoral Zone

Abstract

Due to its location, an offshore structure can be affected by a combination of adverse environmental factors such as strong winds and waves. This work shows the wave spectra applicable to an oil platform located in the coastal area of Tabasco at a depth of 40 m considering parameters associated with a design per operation and winter storms provided in the regulations of Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) NRF-003-PEMEX-2007. Wave forces have a strong stochastic component, hence spectral analysis is the most appropriate way to study their behavior under critical conditions. The spectrum used is that of Pierson-Moskowitz, for which wind profiles were constructed by the Law of Powers and the one proposed by the American Petroleum Institute (API 2A-WSD) for different wind speeds. It was concluded that the selected energy spectrum is relatively sensitive to wind speeds, being able to have drastic variations in intervals of 5 m/s approximately.