Type of Anchor
The anchoring points fixed to the seabed are
the critical part of a mooring system for keeping an FPSO on location. Depending on soil conditions and the
required performance, there are various types of anchors that can be
selected.
·
Drag embedment
anchor
The
drag embedment anchor has been designed to penetrate into the seabed,
either partly of fully. The holding capacity of the drag embedment anchor
is generated by the resistance of the soil in front of the anchor. The drag
embedment anchor is very well suited for resisting large horizontal loads,
but not for large vertical loads although there are some drag embedment anchors
available on the market today that can resist significant vertical loads
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Pile
The
pile is a hollow steel pipe that is installed into the seabed by means of a
piling hammer or vibrator. The holding capacity of the pile is generated by
the friction of the soil along the pile and lateral soil resistance.
Generally the pile has to be installed at great depth below seabed to
obtain the required holding capacity. The pile is capable of resisting both
horizontal and vertical loads