Finding Petroleum

FPSO Conference
Integrity and Safety associated with
Floating Operations

Martin L Shaw MBA C Eng C Mar Eng FI Mar EST AFNI

Managing Director
Marine Operations and Assurance Management Ltd
Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Outline
Context
What the FPSO hull needs to do
Requirements drive design decisions
New build
Conversion

Case Studies
Operation and Export
Assurance
Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Why use an FPSO?

No pipeline infrastructure
Deep water
Environmental issues- disconnectable?
Small field
Re-usable?
Early first oil

Courtesy BP PLC
Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Integrity vs. Economics-The Balance

(PERFORMANCE)

PROTECTION

PRODUCTION

After James Reason

Managing the Risks of Organisational Accidents

Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

What the hull needs to do

Primary Requirements
Keep the water out
Keep the oil in
Stay upright
Carry the weight
Stay where you put it

Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

What the hull needs to do

Secondary Requirements
Production and export optimisation
Economics
Early oil
Cost

Maintainability
Accessibility
Safety
Comfort
Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Requirements drive design

Field
Production
Reserves
Environment
Wind and waves
Current
Tropical Storms
Legislation
Safety Case
Accommodation
Double Hull
Off take
Conventional/shuttle
System/ spot
Distance from market
Offshore Loading Discount

FPSO

Design
Size
DH/DS/SH
Process plant size
Connectable/disconnectable
Accommodation ford/aft
Mooring system
Offtake system
Weathervaning/spread mooring
Dumb/powered

Critical Decision
Newbuild or conversion

Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

New Builds
Benefits

Risks

New, clean hull with no

history
Can be designed for the
purpose

Costs can get high

deck support for double

deckers
double sided simplifying
structure and improving
stability
accommodation can be
larger/located forward if
required

Specialised yards
Build yard process flow

Unique designs have unique

risks
Optimisation
Hull design
Hull strength
Size

Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Conversions
Benefits

Risks

Reduced build time(?)

Ship shaped and engined
for disconnectable
Cheaper(?)
History

Design risk at FEED while

hull choice being made
Suitable Hulls
Single hull or double hull few
double sided
Lighter scantlings and high
tensile steel problems

Limits on deck load

Tank and deck repair work
can be expensive
Accommodation
Size
Position
Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Case Study
One location two solutions
Powered FPSO, limited storage, originally
with dp1 tankers

Weathervaning (limited heading control)

FPSO, 1 million bbl storage with dp2 tanker

Courtesy Teekay

Courtesy BP PLC
Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Case study-legislation issues

Courtesy BP PLC
Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Integrity of the offtake system

Storage Capacity
Production
Weather
Offshore Loading
Discount

Weather issues
Weathervaning or STL
DP shuttle
Dedicated vessels
More control over system

Transhipment
Port

Additional Port Costs

Brings extra storage
to system
Final export on trade
tankers on terminal
loading

Shuttle

FPSO

Market
Trade port delays can shut
down production
Needs multiple vessels
Offshore loading discount

Conventional
Trade Tankers

Wells

Benign Conditions
Could be spread moorings and buoy
May Require Tugs
Unpredictability/Laydays
Offshore loading discount
Interface Issues

Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Simpler Assurance
Is the design
right for the field
and the
environment?

Yes

Change
Management

Is the unit being

built to the
design intent?

No

Assurance
Risk
Design Standards
Construction Standards
Learning
Competency
Operating Procedures
Contractor selection
Offtake vetting

Yes
Is the unit being
operated to the
design intent?
moams.net
Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Conclusions
Number and scale of FPSO Developments
increasing
Good FPSO design, construction and operation
is a blend of offshore and marine disciplines
Field requirements and environment drive
design choices which drive integrity
System integrity important
Assurance and change management during
design, build and operations provides integrity
And finally......................
Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd

Without the F your PSO is sunk

Questions?

Marine Operations and Assurance Management Solutions Ltd