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33 and 46, CFR. The regulations provide detailed guidance for the design, construction and operation of these units.

However, USCG has recognized that the design and technology of offshore facilities continues to advance at a

FPSO rapid pace, and that existing US regulations (CFRs mentioned above) do not address the current state of technology. Under 33 CFR 143.120, the USCG has the authority to accept alternative design and engineering standards if an equivalent level of safety is provided.

Accordingly, the USCG published CG-ENG

Policy Letter No. 01-13, which prescribes alternate design and equipment standards for ? oating offshore installations (FOI) and ? oating production, storage, and of? oading offshore units (FPSO) located on the US OCS. In general, the policy letter requires the ? oating unit to be classed by a classi? ca- tion society (DNV GL, ABS and Lloyd’s Register) that is accepted by the USCG, and establishes requirements to be met in addition to the classi? cation society’s rules.

A ? oating facility meeting the design and construction require- ments of this policy letter is considered meet a level of safety equivalent to that prescribed by 33 CFR 143.

Objective of the regulatory roadmap

As there are differences in the class society rules, which

The FPSO, BW Pioneer form the basis of the equivalencies, and the complementing currently in Petrobras’ requirements from the CFR, there remained an uncertainty

Cascade/Chinook on the requirements and the ? nal approvals. To remove this development in the

ABBTC_ADL2HP_SE_INVEST_OE 12.08.14 17:05 Seite 1 uncertainty factor and in order to establish a clear path of

Gulf of Mexico, can process 80,000bo/d.

Image from Petrobras.

DNV GL launches

Turbocharging Service.

regulatory roadmap

Secure your investment.

for US ? oaters

Raja Roy examines DNV GL’s ? rst comprehensive overview on how to properly comply with US Coast Guard requirements to operate FOIs, FSOs and FPSOs in US waters.

Background he roadmap document called “Veri? cation for com-

Assuring the availability of your application is a critical part of securing your business.

pliance with United States regulations on the outer The USCG, within the Department of Homeland Security, has

The right service reduces downtimes and increases your application’s performance

T continental shelf” follows from the US Coast Guard’s broad authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and lifetime. Getting your service plan from ABB Turbocharging guarantees depend- (USCG) policy letter last year, accepting approval plans and to regulate safety of life and property on US Outer Continental able delivery of results and lower total cost of ownership of your turbocharger. We are inspections from the class societies DNV GL, Lloyd’s Register, Shelf (OCS) facilities and vessels engaged in OCS activities, dedicated to providing our customers a comprehensive turbocharging service offer- and ABS as basis of USCG approval. However, differences in and the safety of navigation. The USCG is also responsible ing 24/7, 365 days a year at any one of our 100+ ABB-owned Service Stations in the accepted rules and standards, and the subsequent variety in for security regulations on OCS facilities, as speci? ed under 50+ countries across the globe. Get the right service. www.abb.com/turbocharging the complementing requirements from the CFRs (code of federal the Maritime Transportation Security Act. Other regulatory regulations) led to uncertainties among operators, both about agencies, such as the Bureau of Safety and Environmental requirements and ? nal approvals. Enforcement (BSEE) also share jurisdiction over OCS activities.

This roadmap removes the uncertainty factor. By including Commercial vessel safety standards for US-? agged vessels, all the relevant information in a single document, it is a clear Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU), undocumented ? oating path for compliance. facilities, and ? xed facilities are published in chapter 1 of Titles

September 2014 | OE oedigital.com 42 042_OE0914_FPSO4_DNV.indd 42 8/21/14 3:04 PM