Reliability assessment of multi-megawatt capacity offshore dynamic positioning systems

A reliable Dynamic Positioning (DP) system is the key requirement for critical offshore activities. This paper presents the quantitative reliability assessment for offshore multi-megawatt capacity electric DP systems based on the present technological maturity and the offshore industry-reported component failure rates. It is identified that the International Maritime Organization defined DP1, DP2 DP3 architectures with fully redundant power generators and electric variable speed thrusters could have mean time to fail periods of 0.3, 2.1 and 2.5 years respectively. In the analyzed DP2 architecture, the power generation cum management system, the computer control cum sensors system and the thruster systems contribute to 17%, 42%, and 41% of the total DP system failures. The results presented could be used for reliability-centered design and maintenance planning of multi megawatt capacity DP systems.