Classification society, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), has refined its approach to ageing offshore assets with the publication of new guidance entitled ‘Life Extension of Floating Production Installations’.
The offshore assets guidance supports operators looking to extend the operational life of a floating production installation (FPI) by outlining clear Class requirements with a focus on safety. It is informed by lessons learned from ABS supported life extension projects and the findings of a series of FPI life extension joint development projects.
Critical issues addressed in the new guidance document include pre-life extension data collection, hull corrosion rate, mooring fatigue assessment, rapid corrosion areas, wire rope, tendon, and composite repairs. The Guide is applicable to existing FPIs of all hull forms, including ship-type, column stabilized, and tension leg platforms.
The guidance is the latest ABS initiative to support the industry with ageing assets after bringing together leading companies in the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) sector in August 2021 to address the safety challenges produced by a fleet where more than half of the ship type vessels are over 30-years-old and a quarter are over 40-years-old.
Download the guidance: Life Extension of Floating Production Installations guidance