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ABS Guide for the
Certification of Drilling Systems Includes Risk-Based Options
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“We’re
offering drilling unit owners and builders a
more streamlined approach to ABS classification,
with the option of certifying the drilling system,”
Merih Unuvar, ABS Project Leader/Principal Surveyor.
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echnical advances in the offshore industry
and regulatory developments have spurred |
an update of the ABS Guide for the Certification
of Drilling Systems. The Guide, now in its final
stages, references current standards and the recommendations
of the American Petroleum Institute (API). Most importantly,
the Guide provides industry with an option for a safety
case or risk-based analysis approach to certification, rather
than applying the more traditional prescriptive rules.
“We’re offering drilling unit owners and builders
a more streamlined approach to ABS classification, with the
option of certifying the drilling system,” says Merih
Unuvar, ABS project leader and principal surveyor.
He adds that with continued changes in regulatory regimes,
the certification of drilling units including the drilling
systems is expected to further evolve.
“Our new Guide readies the industry for ongoing regulatory
and technological developments,” said Unuvar. ABS’
market share for rig classification is around 76 percent of
the worldwide fleet, representing 512 drilling units classed
with ABS.
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Twenty of the units built since 1990 not only have certification
to regulatory regimes but also include the ABS Class Notation CDS,
meaning they have met ABS standards.
“We’re reducing the burden on regulatory documentation
for industry, eliminating duplicative steps. That is, if a unit
is classified by a recognized society, industry can expect it to
be in compliance with most international regulations. Industry will
reap the benefit of the lessons learned with more cost-efficient
rig certification,” said Unuvar.
Drilling equipment vendors and a number of drilling companies
have contributed to the technical document as well, says Unuvar,
by reviewing the Guide update and providing feedback.
The ABS Guide for Certification of Drilling Systems will
be available for free download from the ABS website in the first
quarter of 2004. Visit the ABS
Rules & Guides section on our website. The Guide
will be publication #57.
For more information, visit the ABS newsroom at: http://www.eagle.org/news/press/oct2203.html.
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