New buoyancy solution addresses vortex-induced vibration migration in offshore drilling

Fairings have long been considered the best technical solution for addressing drag and vortex-induced vibration (VIV) on offshore drilling risers. But the use of fairings increases running and retrieval time and creates handling issues, especially in harsh weather. Trelleborg Offshore’s new solution, helically grooved buoyancy, seeks to address the challenges that VIV migration poses for offshore drilling by integrating VIV suppression and drag reduction with drill riser buoyancy, boosting rig efficiency without compromising on safety or structural integrity. Antony Croston, Business Group Director for Trelleborg Offshore, spoke with DC on 30 April at the 2018 OTC about this new approach to VIV migration, as well as the company’s collaboration with Diamond Offshore on this new technology.