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UPCOMING: Floating Production Installation Guide to Include Spars and TLPs
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orking with industry to develop standards for floating productions systems, |
ABS is updating its Guide for Building and Classing Floating Production Installations to include two types of production units----tension leg platforms or TLPs and spars. The updates should be released in late 2002.
This the first time a class society is establishing its own standards for these types of units. These production units are currently reviewed against the American Petroleum Institute or API standards. ABS is creating requirements and incorporating them into this document.
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The original edition addressed only the traditional ship-shaped FPSO and column-stabilized structure.
The update is timely since floating production systems are becoming an increasingly important field development option with TLP and spar configurations providing a vital avenue for deepwater developments worldwide.
In general, spar systems are particularly suited to deepwater applications because they provide operators with increased flexibility in terms of water depth capability, extending traditional floating technology up to 10,000 feet of water.
The ABS Guide for Building and Classing Production Installations was the first such guide to match hull design with field performance, and it delineated design criteria necessary for a site-specific vessel from requirements for tankers classed for unrestricted service.
Until it was published in June 2000, the requirements for ship-type FPSOs were that a vessel’s hull satisfy all strength requirements for ocean-going tankers in unrestricted service.
For the update, ABS is drawing upon its extensive experience with TLP and spar plan reviews and developing standards that reflect ABS classification practices which are in concert with industry standards.
ABS is the market share leader in offshore classification. All 14 of the classed floating production units now operating or under construction in the Gulf of Mexico are ABS classed, with certification involvement in all 28 such systems in the Gulf. Worldwide ABS has performed classification or certification services for 82 floating production units.
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