A survey of dynamic positioning control systems

Offshore exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons have opened up an era of dynamically positioned (DP) vessels. DP control systems maintain floating structures in fixed position or pre-determined track for marine operation purposes exclusively by means of active thrusters. There are more than 2000 DP vessels of various kind operating worldwide. This paper gives a survey of some of the major technology advances in the DP controller design having taken place during more than 30 years of research and development. In addition some perspectives for the future with corresponding research challenges will be addressed.