Guide Builds on ABS Focus on Safety and Industry-Leading Life Extension Support

(HOUSTON) ABS has further developed its industry-leading approach to aging offshore assets with the publication of the Guide for Life Extension of Floating Production Installations.

The 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 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 offshore industry is faced with an evolving risk profile, and we are committed to addressing the issues this creates and ensuring the ABS-classed fleet remains the safest and best-performing fleet in the world. Through our long-standing work in this area with the leading players in the industry, ABS is well placed to assist operators with a safety-focused life extension process,” said Matt Tremblay, ABS Vice President, Global Offshore.

The Guide is the latest ABS initiative to support the industry with aging 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.

The working group, consisting of Chevron, Shell Trading (U.S.) Company, Petrobras, MODEC, and SBM as well as The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Registry, and the U.S Coast Guard 8th District, led by ABS has already seen the creation of Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) aimed at using technology to tackle a range of FPSO safety issues. The efforts of this working group will produce outcomes that assist with the evaluation and potential acceptance of life extension.

The Guide for Life Extension of Floating Production Installations is available for download here.

About ABS

ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design and construction. Focused on the safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to develop accurate and cost-effective compliance, optimized performance, and operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.