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xtensive Gulf of Mexico
experience, combined with familiarity of the Atlantia
SeaStar monocolumn |
tension leg platform
(TLP) design, has earned ABS the class contract for the Neptune
TLP. BHP Billiton
will operate the Neptune TLP in
4,500 ft. water depth. The Neptune field is located in the
Atwater Foldbelt region of the Central Gulf of Mexico. This
area includes the Mad Dog and Atlantis fields which are currently
in development.
There are currently four Atlantia SeaStar® monocolumn
TLPs installed in the Gulf of Mexico. ABS has classed all
four (Typhoon, Sir Douglas Morpeth, Allegheny and Matterhorn.)
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| ABS will class the Neptune as
an XA1
Floating Offshore Installation (FOI). Classification will
cover the unit’s hull, mooring systems, topsides, power
generation, platform layout and all marine, utility and safety
systems, including life-saving equipment and fire-fighting
appliances. ABS also will act on behalf of
the U.S. Coast Guard and as a Certification Verification
Agent (CVA) for the U.S. Minerals Management Service. CVA
review and approval for Neptune will include structural design,
fabrication and installation.
ABS will review the offshore structure to its ABS Guide
for Building and Classing Floating Production Installations (April
2004). With emerging technological advances in spar
and TLP design, ABS has recently updated this guide to
take into account key areas of emphasis to include global
performance issues, load and environmental issues, stability
parameters, structural strength criteria and motion characteristics
unique to these floating structures. |
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