HOW SHARING OPERA SUPPORTS OFFSHORE CLIENTS

Bureau Veritas is releasing Opera, a state-of-the-art tool to support design calculations for floating units, to external clients. Opera is the natural successor for our mooring analysis software Ariane, which was honed by our experts over the course of 30 years.

Backed by more than a decade of experience of the needs of a transforming offshore industry, Opera is now able to address more complex systems. As offshore renewables – particularly floating offshore wind projects – gain momentum to support the global energy transition, Opera’s wider release falls at a key turning point. 

What can Opera do?

Up until now, Bureau Veritas experts have used Opera to support the design verification and certification of any floating asset.

Essentially, it is a state-of-the-art simulation that offers users accurate, reliable and rapid calculations. It helps build up a thorough understanding of the behaviors and interactions of all types of floating units – but it also has the flexibility to cater for any innovative design. 

Whether for ships, FPSOs, semisubmersibles or offshore wind installations, Opera can:

• Perform integrated load analysis, accounting for all types of couplings
• Compute hydro- and aerodynamic loads
• Solve the unit’s sea- and station-keeping behavior
• Account for interaction between the floating unit’s motion and local vibration responses

Supporting the energy transition

Transitioning the global energy supply to low-carbon and renewable options will require the support of a variety of floating offshore installations. These include gas carriers and FSRUs that can help bring LNG supply to new regions and thus fulfil a key step in their energy transition.

But offshore energy production is an equally vital part of this equation. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, installed global offshore wind capacity reached 66.4 GW by the end of 2022¹. However, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Net Zero Emissions by 2050 scenario would require 27 TWh of ocean power generation. With a huge jump to make, floating offshore wind turbines – and other marine renewable energies - will be needed.

Floating offshore wind turbines can be installed further offshore than their fixed counterparts, and at greater depth. This has the benefit of expanding the number and size of potential sites, but it presents great technical challenges. Not least among these are the adverse conditions and forces that their mooring lines will have to withstand.

With Opera, and our NI 691 guideline, we help all stakeholders from design through installation and operation to ensure the stability and safety of these important assets.

Dedicated to ensuring safe innovation

Opera exemplifies our commitment to remain at the forefront of floater technology and bolster innovative projects as they increase at pace with the energy transition.

“We are helping pave the way towards low-carbon offshore energy at scale,” says Oliver Cartier, Technical VP. “But making this leap forward requires the safety, integrity, and success of these innovative projects. With Opera’s comprehensive calculations, clients can reduce risk and build confidence around their endeavors. Our software offer is therefore a key element we can leverage to stand by our clients’ side, lending them our expertise in this pivotal moment.” 

¹https://gwec.net/gwecs-global-offshore-wind-report-2023