Full Scale Monitoring Marco Polo Tension Leg Platform

Installed 160 miles South of New Orleans in 1300 m of water, the Marco Polo Tension Leg Platform is subjected to an extensive monitoring campaign to benchmark design data and methods. The purpose of the full scale monitoring campaign is to evaluate the design in operation exposed to hurricane and loop-current conditions. Interests comprise the high and low frequency modes of motion, the fatigue loading of the platform and the dynamic behavior of the tendons and risers with focus on vortex induced vibrations. To evaluate these results wind, wave and current conditions are closely monitored. The monitoring system was in operation during the passage of hurricanes Ivan, Katrina and Rita. Although Marco Polo was extremely close to the center of these severe hurricanes, no significant damage was inflicted to the platform, even though wind speeds in excess of 138 mph and maximum wave heights over 28 m were measured. However, very valuable data was collected on the wave, wind, current, as well as on the response of the TLP during the Hurricane conditions.