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J. Andrew Breuer
(left) and Robert D. Bowie (right) are co-authors of the
paper “The Future of Jack-up Stability: Learning
From Our Past”. It was presented at the 13th
Offshore Symposium in Houston, Texas for the Texas Section
of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
(SNAME).
The ABS MODU Rules were first published in 1968 and written
for all types of drilling units. These Rules were unique
in that they were the first to include afloat intact and
damage stability as a criterion for Classification. History
has shown that jackups are most vulnerable when they are
afloat, particularly when under ocean tows or field moves
in areas such as the North Sea where weather is difficult
to predict. A number of rig losses during transit have
been recorded, but no loss of life has been recorded in
almost thirty years. This has allowed Industry and Regulatory
bodies to work in the revisions of Rules and regulations
progressively and with caution. The downloadable paper
outlines the origin of the stability Rules for Jackups
and their continuing evolution.
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Download the paper
"The Future of Jack-up Stability: Learning
from Our Past" |
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BS is conducting extensive research and
developing new standards for the application |
of emerging technologies to mobile offshore drilling unit design.
Of particular interest is the approach to the growing fleet
of aging jackups.
ABS provides classification services to 85 percent of the
strengthening jackup market and continues to be an innovative
leader in developing key differentiating factors for stability
criteria, says J. Andrew Breuer, Chief Principal Engineer,
Offshore Engineering Department.
“Almost 50 years have passed since the construction
of the first jackup. The progress in technology has been impressive.
However, the number of losses in transit demonstrates the
need for constantly evolving standards,” said Breuer.
Speaking last February at the 13th Offshore Symposium
of Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers in Houston,
Breuer presented "The Future of Jack-up Stability: Learning
from Our Past". The paper presents historical perspectives
and extrapolates future developments.
ABS supports design innovations and continued frontier developments
for jackups with published standards and commentaries. ABS
recently issued a detailed technical Commentary
to its Rules
for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units
as a further step in providing industry with direction on
the application of ABS rules to jackups.
For more information, read Design
Innovations, Continued Frontier Development Create Design
Challenges for Jackup Operators.
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