Offshore production systems for ultra-deep water in the Gulf of Mexico: Part II: Vessel systems

This paper addresses some of the technical issues for the development of three vessel concepts for oil and gas production over the continental slope in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The paper is not intended to provide a detailed review of the analytical methods and design criteria. Instead, it is focused on technical problems being encountered for the design of deepwater production systems. Tentative solutions for those problems as well as topics for research and development are identified.