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REVIEW OF ONR TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAMS 13 



(e.g., data services that provide either prepackaged or customized data products, 

 ship routing, and environmental forecasting for offshore operations), and firms 

 that specialize in exploration, development, and transportation of offshore oil, 

 gas, and minerals. 



DEEP-SEA TECHNOLOGY 



ONR has a long history of research and technology development for Navy 

 application in the deep-sea environment. The primary commercial interests in 

 this area are involved in offshore oil and gas exploration and production as well 

 as pipeline operation and maintenance. Deep-sea mining is another potential 

 application; activity in this area has been somewhat sporadic as the presently 

 available technology has not made deep-sea resource development economically 

 viable. 



The discussion below should be considered only a sampling of the available 

 and emerging science and technology at ONR that is applicable for transfer to 

 deep-sea commercial interests. ONR science and technology applicable to non- 

 military deep-sea operations are included in the following categories: 



• Surface/subsurface seakeeping 



• Fabrication techniques and materials 



• Remote vehicle design and operation 



• Environmental characterization 



• Operational systems support 



Surface/subsurface Seakeeping 



For the design of ships and other seagoing platforms, ONR has conducted 

 extensive research and developed a considerable body of technology in the area 

 of naval architecture. Available data and models relate wind, waves, and hydro- 

 dynamjc flow to forcing functions applicable to stmctural design and analysis. 

 Techniques for the design of deep moorings with chains and cables have been 

 developed. Some of the available and emerging ideas include mooring deploy- 

 ment methods, innovative mooring designs (e.g., S-tether), expendable moorings, 

 slack cable dynamics, and models for cable/riser strunmiing. ONR has also 

 developed methods for obtaining and maintaining a precise position in the water 

 column or on the bottom by using remote/portable tracking systems. 



Fabrication Techniques and Materials 



The construction of structures and piping for the Navy is done within ship 

 and submarine construction programs. The Navy has developed a significant 

 expertise in welding, particularly of high-strength materials, and materials testing 



