SPM SYSTEM

Anchoring System
The buoy body is anchored to the seabed by six
numbers stud link chains each of diameter 3¾" and
length 1330 feet. These chains are secured to the buoy
body by chain stoppers arranged radially around the
buoy, and to the seabed through 1000 x 40 mm anchor
piles of length 10.1 M.
(1) Floating hose system
The floating hoses carry the crude from the
berthed tanker manifold and the product circuit
pipework mounted on the turn table. The transfer of
crude takes place through two different hose strings
designated as port string and star board string
 FLOATING HOSES
a) Port String (1068.55/1073.55 ft) :
Presently the floating hoses are installed in a mixed manner with hoses of different lengths
installed(29 nos,1068 ft):

(i) 1 No. half float, stiff construction, electrically continuous 24" x 40' hose, with
nipple.
(ii) 1 No. full float, decreasing stiffness, electrically continuous 24.' x 40' hose with
nipple.
(iii) 20 Nos. full float, standard electrically continuous 24" x 40' hoses with/ without
nipple.
(iv) 1 No. self float metallic reducer 24"- 20” x 4.8’.
1 No. full float standard electrically continuous 20" x 40' hose with/ without
nipple.
1 No. Marine Breakaway coupling 20”x 3.75’.
1 No. full float standard electrically discontinuous 20" x 40' hose(s) with/
without nipple.
1 No. full float standard electrically discontinuous 20" x 40' hose(s) with nipple.
1 No. full float tapered, electrically discontinuous 20" -16" x 35' hose with
nipple.
2 Nos./ 1 No. full float standard electrically discontinuous 16”x 35’ hose(s) with
nipple.
1 No. full float tanker rail, electrically discontinuous 16" x 30' hose with nipple.
 FLOATING HOSES
b) Starboard String (1028.55ft):
Its configuration is similar to port string except that the number of
24" std full float electrically continuous hoses are 19 Nos. instead of
20 Nos.

The end of the floating hose strings are fitted with pick-up
arrangement to facilitate connection to the tanker manifold. On the
other end (buoy body) of hose strings butterfly valves are provided
for immediate isolation of damaged hose string when required.
 UNDER BUOY HOSES
(2) Under Buoy Hoses
These hoses form the connection between the pipeline end manifold (PLEM) and
the fixed part of central pipe unit. Two strings designated as offshore and onshore
are provided.
All hoses in the Subsea hose strings are of Double Carcass construction with built
in mechanical alarm device on each hose which gets activated in case of pressure
build up in the annular space between the Primary and Secondary carcasses.

Each string starting from the PLEM consists of electrically discontinuous submarine
hoses as described below:

(i) 1 No. one end reinforced hose 20" x 35' equipped with no floats.
(ii) One standard 20" x 37.5' hose equipped with two end floats.
(iii) One standard 20" x 37.5' hose, equipped with one body float and two end
floats.
(iv) 1 No. one end reinforced hose 20.' x 35' equipped with one end float and
one body float.
 PIPELINE END MANIFOLD
III) PIPELINE END MANIFOLD (PLEM)
This serves as an interface between the mooring system and the submarine pipeline. It consists of a 42"
diameter pipe with two 24" diameter branches. The 42" diameter PLEM is welded to the sea bed
pipeline at one end and the other end is connected to PLEM of SPM-II through a 2.1 Kms 42" dia loop
line. The two 24" diameter branches are fitted with 24" -300 ANSI Ball Valves. The valves are fitted with
hydraulic control unit for remote operation from the buoy compartment but are also capable of local
manual operation by Divers. From the two 24" ball valves, the line reduces to 20" diameter before
connecting to the under buoy hoses.

IV) MOORING SYSTEM

In Single Point Mooring (SPM) system, the tanker is moored at its bow to the floating buoy with
mooring Equipments to facilitate tanker to swing around freely and take up the most advantageous
position with respect to the external forces. One end of the mooring equipment is permanently
connected to the buoy and other end floats in water when not connected to the tanker.

The mooring equipment essentially comprises of :

a) Mooring ropes :
2 Nos. 14" circumference self-floating plaited endless grommet type nylon ropes having bell mouth
thimbles and special grade shackles at each end are provided in the system. Each mooring rope is
connected with anti-chaffing chain at one end with support buoy and the rope is having hawser floats to
make the rope float. The length of the rope is 180' and minimum New Dry Breaking strength for 1
Grommet rope is 470 tons.

b) Antichafing chain :
 SUPPORT FACILITIES
c) Support Buoy:
This is attached to the anti-chafing chain at the mooring rope end. It
supports the anti-chafing chain, which weighs about 600 kgs (each) and
keeps it floating in water. After operation, the mooring ropes/anti-chafing
chains and support buoys are dropped into the sea and the support buoys
support the anti-chafing chain and mooring ropes from sinking. The buoys
are made up of special close cell, low density, low water absorbent
polyurethane and have special cover of synthetic material for shock
absorption under hostile sea conditions.
It has a minimum buoyancy of 2170 Kgs and is approximately 2 M in length
and 1.5 M in diameter. At both ends, metallic eyelets are provided to fix
chain and shackle.

d) Messenger Ropes :
The messenger rope is used to pick up the mooring equipment from sea
when the tanker approaches SPM. It is a 10" circumference, 220 M long
rope 8 strand braided construction, polypropylene rope provided with 2'
soft eye spliced at each end. It's breaking strength is 72,000 Kgs.
 CATHODIC PROTECTION
Cathodic Protection System
All steel parts of the SBM System, including (but not limited to) the buoy, buoyancy
tanks in the under-buoy hoses, anchor chains and pick up buoy are protected by a
suitable cathodic protection system using sacrificial anodes designed for optimum
economy of maintenance and operation, installed at various points. The Cathodic
Protection System is designed to function in accordance with the Standards laid
down in British Standards. The design of the System is based on a current density of
8 milli- amperes per sq. ft. The combination of the following criteria must be met to
ensure that the SBM and its associated systems and components are protected.

A negative voltage of at least 0.85 with respect to copper/copper sulphate half-cell

voltage to be determined with half cell voltage.

A minimum of 100mV polarization voltage shift between structure/copper/copper -

sulphate cell. This polarization voltage shift is to be determined by interrupting the
protective current and measuring polarization delay.
 NAVIGATION FACILITIES
Navigation Aids
The navigational aids on the buoy consist of a radar reflector, foghorn, light and the
necessary battery supply.
The navigational light is an automatic marine lantern providing the minimum three
Nautical Miles visual range in atmosphere with a transmissivity of 0.85. The light has
a red lens, 4-place automatic lamp changer, and a built - in photo switch for
automatic on-off operation of battery power conservation. The lights exhibit the
following flash characteristics.
0.30 seconds - ON
2.70 seconds - OFF

The fog horn is an automatic power model and has an audible range of two nautical
miles. The horn exhibits the following sound characteristics.

2 seconds - ON
18 seconds - OFF
 DAILY MAINTENANCE OF SPM SYSTEM
 Sea Condition : Good ,Choppy & Rough
 Buoy: Floating freely
 Draft
 Rotating assembly: Rotating freely/ stuck up
 Floating hose with attachment :Floating freely/ entangled/ Kinked
 Under buoy hose string : No sign of leak/ Apparently in right shape
 Mooring assembly: Rotating freely/ stuck up
 Expansion Joint Leakage
 Navigation light operation
 Fog Horn Operational
 Any Flange Leak
 Any other abnormality
 Any other operational / Maintenance Event
 Maintenance Vessel in position
 WEEKLY MAINTENANCE OF SPM SYSTEM
 Lubrication/greasing of wheel assembly , wheel track
 Swivel turntable
 FLOATING HOSES: Steaming freely, Leakage, Flange bolts,
Butterfly Valves/ Ball Valves, Cam lock coupling 16" dia
 Mooring Assemblies: Steaming freely, Anti-Chafe chains/
Shackles / Shackles pins/thimbles /Eye splices in proper
condition,
 BUOY BODY:
 Buoy Auxiliaries: Fire Extinguishers in position, Hydraulic
unit operation checked
 Battery cubical
 Navigation lights and aids.
 MONTHLY MAINTENANCE OF SPM SYSTEM
 PLEM valves operated: On shore & Off-shore
 Cathodic Protection System: Voltage of Buoy &
PLEM
 Check chafe chain wear
 Configuration of Submarine Hoses
 Fastener of flange fittings bolts & nuts to be
checked for proper tightness with torque wrench:
Exterior & interior
 Tanker operation
 Special work attended
 Observations
 QUARTERLY MAINTENANCE OF SPM SYSTEM
 After every three months, and soon after an extended period of bad weather,
the anchor chains of the Buoys shall be examined for:-Lost tension, Chain
wear, suspended length of the chain pendants shall be inspected visually and
spot checks on wear down made.
 Cathodic Protection anodes of the buoys shall be inspected visually for
damage or abnormal rate of wastage. Anodes shall be replaced if necessary.
 Pressure test of the strings of the floating hoses along with submarine hoses
shall be carried out.
 floating/submarine hose strings are to be pressure tested after any major
maintenance of SPM & also after severe cyclone
 Pressure test shall be applied to the under-buoy hoses during which the
turntable shall be rotated and the oil swivel checked for leakage. Leaking
flanges shall be repaired.
 Mooring ropes shall be measured. Ropes shall be replaced when permanent
elongation is observed to have reached or to have exceeded 25% of the length
of rope when new and unused
 Batteries for the buoy lights shall be checked for low electrolyte level and
charge. Terminals and connections shall be smeared with petroleum jelly.
 Damage to painting shall be restored with two coats of red lead and two coats
of paint in the required colours
 YEARLY MAINTENANCE OF SPM SYSTEM
 The oil swivel seals shall be replaced preferably.
 Expansion joints shall be examined and replaced if they are
damaged.
 One mooring chain pendant of both the SPMs shall be
disconnected from the buoy-skirts and as great a length as
possible brought above water for thorough examination.
From the rate of wear down, the probable life of the chains
shall be estimated with a view to establishing a chain
maintenance and replacement programme for subsequent
years.
 The PLEM Spool pieces connected to the under buoy hose
strings should be inspected during hose replacement or
once in a year whichever falls due. The strings along with
PLEM -spool-pieces shall be removed on board and
detailed inspection shall be carried out.
 MAINTENANCE OF SPM AS & WHEN REQUIRED
 Underbuoy Hose Maintenance & Replacement: Under buoy hose
strings shall be inspected for any kinking, chaffing, loose bolts and
configuration after every extended period of bad weather and
defects shall be made good at the earliest.
 Inspection & Testing of Individual Hose:- All hoses (including both
new or old serviceable hoses) which have been stored for more
than six months are to be pressure tested at the rated pressure
before being placed to service . During the period when hose is in
use, if any damage on hose is observed and is considered critical to
the service, the same shall be taken out from use for close
examination/testing.
 Replacement schedule of hoses : 24 months to 60 months.
 PIGGING :Quarterly pigging of entire submarine pipeline including
the shore pipeline is to be carried out.