 |
russ spar installations continue to provide vital avenues for deepwater
|
GOM developments and ABS continues its string of classification work on these spars with the Vastar Horn Mountain located on Mississippi Canyon 126 and 127 in just over 5,400 ft of water depth. ABS Project Manager Robert Major says the Horn Mountain spar is one of the deepest dry tree production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
As for all floating production systems operating in the Gulf of Mexico, Horn Mountain had to comply with federal regulatory codes in order to receive a Certificate of Inspection (COI) from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and a permit to operate from the Minerals Management Service (MMS). ABS assisted Vastar with the regulatory compliance for Horn Mountain while providing class services for this fast-track project.
To address stringent regulatory issues, ABS design approval proceeds through a technical review of hull and topside structures, foundations/moorings, marine, utility and safety systems, global performance, overall stability, and, if included in the scope of classification by the owner, the hydrocarbon production facilities. ABS—working on behalf of the USCG and as Certified Verification Agent for Minerals Management Service throughout all these phases—also surveys the hull, topsides and piles/moorings during the fabrication, installation and commissioning stages.
ABS has classed all 14 of the classed floating production units now operating or under construction in the Gulf, with certification involvement with all 28 such systems in the Gulf of Mexico. Including the Horn Mountain spar project, ABS has performed classification or certification services for 82 floating production units worldwide. The Horn Mountain is ABS-classed as a X A1 Floating Offshore Installation.
BP's Horn Mountain Field is expected to come on production during the third quarter of this year with peak production of approximately 65,000 b/d of oil and 68 million cf/d of natural gas.
|
