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of
Offshore Facilities" held in Houston, Texas. Recent
development activity in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico coupled
with interest from the MMS and industry created this workshop
as a forum for the sharing of knowledge and experience with
regards to the present state-of-practice and possible future
developments in Management Processes, Safe Design Practice and
Fire and Blast Engineering.
Over the past decade, the offshore industry has expended much effort understanding the causes and severity of
explosions in offshore facilities, and the resistance of these facilities to blast overpressures and to different types of hydrocarbon fires. For some fixed platforms and many floating facilities, such as TLPs, spars and FPSOs, the hydrocarbon inventory is such that due care is required in the design of safety systems to reduce the risk of fires and blasts and/or reduce their impact to acceptable levels.
The offshore engineering community relies on recommended practices and standards to characterize and design
for hydrocarbon explosions and fires. It becomes clear from an examination of various practices and public domain research and technical papers in this field that a vast amount of diverse research has been carried out, leading, in some instances, to fire and blast design practices, which are significantly different. It also becomes clear that much of the existing research/development efforts have yet to be incorporated into design practice.
Worldwide developments indicate a move toward a more code-based approach, as the field of Fire and Blast
Engineering matures. Recently, initiatives have begun to update existing API guidance relating to Fire and Blast to include technological advancements over the last ten years and to encompass deepwater, floating and moored structures.
Learn more about ABS Consulting's Offshore and Marine Risk Consulting services by visiting their website or contact Frank Puskar, Vice President and General Manager, Marine Offshore and Explosion Hazards Consulting, ABS Consulting.
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