CSIRO scientists hit the waves virtually
By William Atkins
Thursday, 03 December 2009 19:05
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These virtually designed ocean waves crash into virtually made semi-submersible oil and gas production platforms in order to compare how the different mooring designs stand up to the force of the impacts.
The offshore platforms (sometimes also called oil and gas rigs) are large structures that house workers and equipment needed to drill wells into the ocean bed.
The wells are then used to extract oil or natural gas for processing on the mainland. These platforms may be fixed to the ocean floor or may float on the ocean surface.
The oil and gas rigs have to withstand rogue waves, which are sometimes also commonly called monster waves, killer waves, and other such descriptive names. These monster waves are extra large ocean surface waves that are serious threats to offshore platforms, along with ships sailing the seas.
For example, in 1942 the RMS Queen Mary was broadsided by a rogue wave that was about 28 meters (92 feet) in height. It survived the encounter. In 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald wasn’t so lucky when it sank on Lake Superior after being clobbered by a monster wave.
Most rogue waves originate in deep water or within conditions that contain strong winds and fast ocean currents. When these conditions occur, several waves come together to form a rogue wave.
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