ABS was among the 2,400 companies exhibiting at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) this year. As the leading offshore classification society, ABS also presented several technical papers on the topics of floating offshore installations, compressed natural gas and risk-based classification for offshore production systems. ABS also hosted a well-attended reception for its many clients. 

(View larger image)
Following the recent hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, the offshore industry has placed increased attention on the criteria and standards for safe operation during storms. Related to this subject ABS’ Manager of Offshore Engineering, ABS Americas, Joe Rousseau presented a paper titled “Developments in Watertight Integrity on Floating Offshore Installations” at this year’s OTC in Houston. The paper highlighted the need for a better understanding of flooding hazard and the associated requirements for internal and external watertight integrity on mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) and floating production installations. 

Roundup of OTC News

Industry took note of ABS’ observation that offshore designs are trending toward hybrids for floating production installations. Designs such as the MinDOC3, a cross between a semisubmersible and a truss spar, behave like a spar in terms of stability yet look like a semisubmersible. New designs are changing the way in which plan reviews are conducted. Risk methodologies are being applied so these new structures can move forward offering the same safety equivalencies to more traditional designs. 

With an estimated 85 percent of the MODU fleet already 20 years of age or older, ABS told OTC attendees it has developed an Enhanced Monitoring System that gives owners, and the society’s own surveyors, a clearer assessment of the structure of the most common jackup and semisubmersible standard designs.

The reclassification of chemicals by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) impacts offshore supply vessels. ABS provided regulatory guidance for offshore supply vessel (OSV) operators. In the future, certain products must be carried in protectively located tanks. ABS expanded on what this requirement could mean in terms of OSV design.

And in other related OSV news, ABS announced a partnership with members of the offshore supply vessel (OSV) community and the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton, UK, to undertake a study to calibrate and develop practical and achievable criteria for operators wanting to improve the operational and living conditions aboard these industry workhorses. Once the criteria are established, vessels that are built or modified in conformance with the standards will be eligible to receive the class society’s crew habitability notation (HAB or HAB+). ABS is looking for OSV industry members to participate in the study. Contact: Denise McCafferty, Manager Corporate Operational Safety & Evaluation at dmccafferty@eagle.org.