Issue 02 • 2010

energıze
GL Noble Denton www.gl-nobledenton.com

e n e r g y. e f f i c i e n c y. e n g i n e e r i n g .
oil & gas

Dynamic Positioning
pipeline Ensuring Reliability
due diligence Building Confidence
transport Hauling a Colossus

01-GL-energize022010-U1-U4-olgmfholfh.indd 3 01.10.10 14:13

Energise advert 1:Layout 1 16/09/2010 15:44 Page 1 Energ

The global independent

technical advisor

A global network with a local presence

Assurance
Advanced Engineering
and Consulting
Marine Operations
Project Execution
Software Solutions

15915_NS 16.09 2010

15915_NS 16.09 2010

www.gl-nobledenton.com Email: glnobledenton@gl-group.com

© GL Industrial Services UK Ltd. All rights reserved.

01-GL-energize022010-U1-U4-olgmfholfh.indd 4 01.10.10 14:13

 e d i t o r ia l

To Our Readers
The Deepwater Horizon case in the Gulf of Mexico has been dominating the headlines in
the past few months. With the successful reestablishment of well integrity in mid-July, the off-
shore oil and gas industry is now actively analysing the causes of the loss of life and oil spill,
considering the lessons learnt and looking at how similar occurrences can be prevented.
At GL Noble Denton we are assessing how we can best support our industry beyond this event
and have initiated programmes to enhance the risk management of offshore drilling operations
and well construction. It is clear that as our industry moves forward there will need to be greater
rigour around assurance and verification activities associated with critical aspects of design and
operation of wells and well control equipment. One of the biggest lessons we have all learnt is
that implementation and assurance of any offshore operation requires unrelenting focus.

We are keen to assist our industry to improve performance levels. Given the
combination of skills that exist in our organisation we are uniquely placed to assist our custom-
ers with evaluating risks, setting practical performance standards and providing the assurance
John Wishart and verification support to ensure those performance standards are delivered. Our heritage in
developing class rules, operations guidelines and warranty stands us in good stead to assist our
industry in a practical way to ensure that the effort the industry expends in design does indeed
pay off through assured implementation.

The rules that GL already have cover “Drilling, Work Over, Production Systems and
Process Systems”, “Principles for the Construction of Underwater Working Devices and Under-
water Working Machines”, “Control System, Instrumentation” and “Safety Systems”. In the on-
going exercise of lessons learnt it seems obvious that much more testing of critical equipment
will be necessary to minimize failure. To fulfil this objective, while providing the much needed
operational assurance that plans are indeed implemented with rigour, we will be issuing guide-
lines for the industry during the fourth quarter of this year.

The current edition of energize oil & gas gives an excellent insight of what
GL Noble Denton can do for our customers as an independent advisor. As our industry moves
into more technically challenging areas we see the need for even more sophisticated offshore
service vessels. This issue addresses dynamic positioning, highlighting the breadth of experi-
ence we have. In this edition you can also discover how mooring integrity for FPSOs can be en-
hanced, full-flow high-pressure testing of equipment can be undertaken in the UK, and how GL
Noble Denton engineers helped transport a 28,000-tonne MOPU from Abu Dhabi to Norway.

Yours sincerely,

John Wishart
President, GL Noble Denton

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 c o n t e n t s 0 2 /2 0 1 0

26 44 52 58 18
DP I FPSO TESTING CONVERSION EGYPT
Regulatory Integrity of Flow Centre – Elongation Burullus –
changes for mooring a world-class of a cable drilling in
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Miramar
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DP projects systems facility laying vessel deep water

NATURAL GAS
Komatipoort
METHANE RICH GAS Matsulu

Middelburg
Pretoria Witbank
Maputo
Randfontein
Badplaas

Johannesburg
Lenasia
SWAZILAND
Secunda

29 32 8 14 40 10
Vanderbijlpark

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Volksrust TH
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Newcastle

DP II DP III INTERVIEW CRANES SASOL INSTALLATIONRichards

Bay

Dynamic Decisions and Paul Shrieve Convincing Ensuring gas Long-legged

positioning choices – updat- about technical performance at supply reliability
SOUTH AFRICA Durban
hauling service
rules in the US ed GL rules assurance crane inspection in South Africa for wind turbines

4 energıze

004 Inhalt-fhHSfhgmfh.indd 4 01.10.10 14:14

 prof
in br
ile
ief

GL Noble Denton in Brief

GL Noble Denton is a TECHNICAL ADVISOR AND TRUSTED PARTNER
for the oil and gas industry.
The oil and gas business segment of the GL Group helps to design,
build, install and operate oil and gas onshore, maritime and
offshore assets to ensure SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY AND
SUPERIOR VALUE.
GL Noble Denton is the MERGER BETWEEN GERMANISCHER LLOYD’S
(GL) OIL & GAS BUSINESS AND NOBLE DENTON, a premier provider of
life cycle marine and offshore engineering services. Since January
2010, they have been offering their services as GL Noble Denton.

GL Noble Denton is a full-service provider with broad upstream and

midstream competence FOR THE COMPLETE ASSET LIFECYCLE.
GL Noble Denton combines excellent engineering and analytical skills
with operational experience of offshore, maritime and onshore oil and
gas assets. The oil and gas business segment of GL employs MORE THAN
3,000 ENGINEERS AND EXPERTS IN 80 COUNTRIES.
We have strong expertise in complex oil and gas assets such as
MODUs, FPSOs, pipelines, subsea systems, OSVs – and assurance, asset
integrity, safety and risk, marine operations, project management and
software services to match. The scope of technical services includes safe-
ty, integrity, reliability and performance management.
GL Noble Denton is A TRULY INDEPENDENT ADVISOR without any vested
interest in selling a design, installation, fabrication or equipment.
GL Noble Denton services oil and gas clients in onshore production,
MOPU
Transfer of a onshore pipelines, storage, import terminals, LNG, refineries and pet-
jack-up plat- rochemicals, distribution networks as well as mobile offshore drilling

54 form – how to
haul a colossus
units, mobile offshore production units, fixed platforms, subsea, risers
and flowlines, offshore support vessels, tankers and shipping and off-
shore pipelines. We oversee and support the full lifecycle of an asset
from project concept to decommissioning. The business segment has
A GLOBAL REACH IN THE OIL AND GAS CENTRES of the world.

36 20 48
INTERVIEW PIPES DUE DILIGENCE
Bob Thomson,
Group Director Dy-
Managing pipe-
work vibration –
Confidence
builders for pro-
GL Noble Denton
www.gl-nobledenton.com
namic Positioning a challenge ject financing

02/2010 5

004 Inhalt-fhHSfhgmfh.indd 5 01.10.10 14:14

 technical
o i l & g a s m e rg e r

assurance

Photo: iStockphoto

6 energıze

006 GL-energize-TechnicalAssurance-olHSolgmfh.indd 6 01.10.10 14:15

 Assurance under-
pins everything
GL Noble Denton
offers. Our
experienced
multi-skilled
teams and our
proven software
solutions provide
certification,
Photo: iStockphoto

verification
and inspection
services.

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006 GL-energize-TechnicalAssurance-olHSolgmfh.indd 7 01.10.10 14:15

 t e c h n i c a l a s s u ra n c e interview
“Our Advantage is the Range
of Technical Competences”
Paul Shrieve heads GL Noble Denton’s global business stream “Technical Assurance”.
energize spoke with him about what he and his team have on offer
ENErGizE: Paul, what do you do when you
offer “technical assurance”?
PAuL ShriEvE: The Technical Assurance busi-
ness stream really consists of the traditional “core GL”
services. It is predominately related to certification or veri-
fication of oil and gas assets, whether they are onshore,
offshore or pipelines, and also associated inspection activi-
SErvicE ties. This is during the design, fabrica-
tion, construction, installation and op-
GL Noble Denton’s Techni-
cal Assurance services are in erational phases of the asset lifecycle.
compliance with agreed codes
The inspection can take one of
and standards such as:
GL Rules and Guidelines many different forms. The verification/
National and international certification process requires the wit-
standards nessing and auditing of the fabrication
Rules and guidelines of
other third party institu-
and installation process of the select-
tions ed critical elements. These critical ele-
Statutory requirements ments are, as a minimum, selected due
to their criticality to the safety of the
asset, although business and environmentally-critical fac-
tors play in increasingly important rule.
We also undertake projects were we act as the client
representative in more of a QA/QC role, possibly during the
construction of assets or even during the operational phase.
This is “second-party inspection” since do are not fulfill an
8 energıze
008 Shrieve-olHSolfhgmfh.indd 8
independent role as we do in the above verification/certi-
fication process.
ENErGizE: What are GL Noble Denton’s largest or most
important technical assurance contracts or projects?
ShriEvE: It’s fair to say that technical assurance projects
are now being undertaken by GL Noble Denton in all the
key oil and gas locations globally. We can now make this
statement, as I am pleased to say, that we have recently
been awarded our first major technical assurance project in
Houston. We will act as the independent verification body
of a new installation being project-managed from Houston.
The majority of our projects have traditionally come
from the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. A good ex-
ample is our project for Burullus which spanned many phas-
es of the field’s development. As a result of our excellent
delivery and customer relationships we continue to support
the project today. Other Middle East clients include the Ad-
noc Group and its various subsidiaries, Qatar Petroleum and
Dolphin Energy.
In Asia Pacific, our clients include Daewoo, Talisman,
PetroVietnam, PTT Thailand, Carigali-Hess and Shell, and in
the Americas we have been working with PEMEX in Mexico
for a number of years. From Hamburg, we provide support
01.10.10 14:15

to assist our GL colleagues worldwide to deliver technical
assurance services, and also as deliver projects directly as
was the case in the classification of the Sakhalin II project
for SEIC.
ENErGizE: in what regulatory environment do you
operate and who makes the rules?
ShriEvE: In some parts of the world there is a legal re-
quirement that the duty holder, generally the oil company,
has to employ the services of an independent verification
body (IVB). For example, in the UK sector of the North Sea,
the offshore industry is operated in compliance with safety
case legislation.
Within this legislation there is the requirement to im-
plement a verification process which should be verified by
an IVB. This is the role undertaken by GL Noble Denton.
This is a requirement during both the CAPEX and OPEX
phase. What we undertake is directly associated with the
duty holders’ ability to obtain and maintain their licence
to operate.
There are different regulatory bodies globally who cre-
ate the framework within which the industry must oper-
ate. In some cases this framework does not oblige the duty
holder to implement a verification or certification scheme,
02/2010
008 Shrieve-olHSolfhgmfh.indd 9
Profile
PAuL ShriEvE is a technical engineer and
a proven manager in the energy sector
with business development, operations
management, and key account manage-
ment experience within the fields of safe-
ty, integrity and performance improve-
ment. In 2007 he joined Advantica as
Executive Director for the UK and Europe.
In 2008 he became Senior Vice-President
of Global Business Management for GL
Industrial Services and following the
reorganisation Senior Vice-President of
Technical Assurance for GL Noble Denton
at the beginning of 2010.
however they chose to as it is recognized as an industry
best practise.
ENErGizE: Why do clients commission GL Noble Denton
to perform technical assurance services?
Technical assurance is a fairly well-defined and accepted
service. Our advantage is the range of technical compe-
tences. For example the pipeline expertise, the marine op-
erational and the structural expertise and the core inspec-
tions competences that came into GL with the acquisitions.
When you put all that together, there is a very deep and
broad technical knowledge base that we can avail our-
selves of. I don’t think that any of the other traditional
certification and verification companies can outdo us in
that respect.
Furthermore we can complement our technical assur-
ance services with specialist consulting support from other
areas of the company, to undertake detailed assessments,
and problem solving of identified plant issues. LB/SNB
9
01.10.10 14:15
 t e c h n i c a l a s s u ra n c e j a c k -u p p l a tfo r ms

Huge dimensions. Down the River Elbe, just before Stade: First
The transportation
you see the four long columns reaching high
team aboard the
“Thor” platform.
up into the air, 82 metres long and almost 4
metres in diameter each. They belong to the jack-up plat-
form “Thor”, named after the Nordic god of thunder. The
floating crane platform, 70 metres in length and 40 metres
in width, is on the way to Hamburg for its naming ceremony.
Shortly before reaching its destination, it has to pass under
two high-voltage lines spanning the Elbe. Here “Thor” pulls
its legs in a little and moves along the outermost edge of
the river – where the cables do not hang quite as low as in
the middle of the faiway. The manoeuvre is successful; the
way to the port of Hamburg is now free.

Photo: Jörn Iken

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 Long-Legged Haulage Service
The greatest potential for wind energy is to be found on the high seas. over the
coming years, thousands of wind turbines will be erected here – viable technical
solutions for ocean installation are already available
“Thor” is one of the world’s largest jack-up platforms for
the erection of wind turbines on the high seas. The vessel
is owned by the construction company Hochtief AG, which
plans to install a whole series of offshore wind farms in the
coming years. “Thor” was classified by Germanischer Lloyd.
“We have been occupied with this project since 2007,” says
Jochen Künzel, the GL Group’s project manager in charge.
“We were entrusted with the assessment and approval of
the design and responsible for monitoring the entire con-
struction process.”
Major Challenges
The new jack-up rig is needed urgently. Hochtief expects
that 800 offshore wind turbines will be installed annually in
Europe as of 2012. These units will be erected in the North
Sea, in water depths ranging up to 50 metres. Depending
on the depth in each case, there are different concepts
for the foundation structures to be used in anchoring the
wind turbines on the seabed:
monopiles are driven into
the ground, lattice struc-
tures – known as jackets
– or tripods that look like
enormous camera sup-
ports, are deposited and
fixed to piles in the sea-
bed. “Thor” is equally well suited
to all concepts. Martin Rahtge, Chairman
of the Management Board of Hochtief’s Civil En-
gineering and Marine Works division, is pleased: “In the
02/2010
010 Thor-fhHSfhgmolfh.indd 11
Profile. The crane is able to lift 500 tonnes with an
outreach of 15 metres.
growing market for offshore wind turbines, we are now
better positioned than ever before.”
The installation of the foundation structures is Thor’s
first task and erecting the turbine it-
self will be the next major challenge. ABSTrACT
The nacelle of a 5-MW turbine, which “Thor” is one of the
world's largest jack-up
has to be lifted 100 metres into the air, platforms for the erection
weighs almost 300 tonnes. Depositing of wind turbines
this load onto the tower flange is as The platform must be able
to carry heavy loads and to
much precision work as the pulling and withstand giant waves
erection of the rotor star with blades of Safety and efficiency:
GL is responsible for
50 to 60 metres in length.
Thor’s certification
To complete this demanding assign-
ment, the crane, which is able to lift 500 tonnes with an
outreach of 15 metres, needs a stable base – which brings
us back to the legs. This involves some heavy hydraulics, ex-
tending to the current limits of what is technically fea-
11
01.10.10 16:13
 t e c h n i c a l a s s u ra n c e j a c k -u p p l a tfo r ms
sible today, says Künzel. “Thor” can push its legs right
down to the seabed, thus lifting itself out of the water. The
load to be borne here is 10,000 tonnes. Once it has been
elevated, the crane then has a fixed platform from which it
TAXING Work. can perform its work precise to the millimetre.
The hydraulics must Despite all the enormously heavy compo-
lift 10,000 tonnes nents, the jack-up platform is independent of
out of the water –
the weather. “In operational mode, the signifi-
and the tilting
effects produced by cant wave height can be 2.5 metres and the
the wind and waves wind is allowed to reach a maximum of 12 m/s.
are substantial.
As long as these limits are not exceeded, the
crane is able to do its work perfectly.”
“Thor” has its own propulsion unit, enabling it to move
autonomously from one plant to the next within the off-
shore wind farm, and to take up the correct position at the
erection site. “However, this is only a positioning system
using thrusters and developing an output of 3,000 kW,”
Jochen Künzel points out. “This means ’Thor‘ is far from
being a ship, and so SOLAS does not apply.”
12
010 Thor-fhHSfhgmolfh.indd 12
Jochen Künzel first had to come to an agreement with the
responsible authority, BG Verkehr, on the right instrument
to be used for the certification. “The regulatory situation
remains rather unclear. In the end, we agreed on the Code
for the Construction of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units,”
says Künzel. “Strictly speaking, it doesn’t really fit, because
no drilling takes place on “Thor”. But the characteristics
of a jack-up platform – which is therefore a ‘self-elevating
platform’ in terms of the Code – are so dominant that
there were no objections.”
Impressive Technical Solutions
Challenging operational situations will certainly be en-
countered by “Thor”, Künzel explains. Much depends on
the composition of the seabed on which the gigantic legs
have to support the vessel. “After all, the hydraulics must
lift 10,000 tonnes out of the water. In addition, the tilting
moments produced by the wind and waves are substan-
tial,” is how he describes the possible risks. The situation
Impressive.
Photo: Jörn Iken
The jack-up platform
“Thor” on its way up
the Elbe towards
Hamburg – where
the new installation
platform for wind
turbines had its
naming ceremony.
energıze
01.10.10 16:13
 Perpendicular. The 82-metre legs of the
jack-up platform were visible from afar.

could become critical in the event of a “punch through” –

when one leg of the platform sinks into a part of the sea-
bed falsely considered to be hard enough. “For this rea-
son, the platform conducts a preloading test, in which it
puts down two diagonally opposed legs on the seabed and
presses itself up. In this way, we can simulate the worst
possible operating case,” says Künzel. Certification of the
vessel includes the appraisal of such conditions by means
of global strength analyses. This also applies to the “sur-
vival mode”: the platform must be able to withstand giant
Photo: Jörn Iken

waves. For the North Sea, this is equivalent to a significant

wave height of 10 metres – which corresponds to a maxi-
mum wave height of 17 metres.

Thor: Facts & Figures The technical solutions to be seen on board “Thor” are
not the only impressive features it has to offer; the work-
The vessel is one of the world’s largest jack-up platforms for the ing and accommodation facilities are also exceptional. “We
erection of wind turbines. “Thor” was built at the Crist shipyard carried out the certification of the living and sleeping quar-
in Gdańsk; THE oWNEr IS HoCHTIEF. The construction company ters according to the Norwegian standard NORSOK,” Jo-
intends to push forward the development of offshore wind farms chen Künzel emphasizes. The members of the installation
in the North Sea through the use of the new jack-up platform crew, who work in shifts and remain on board for one to
which was classified by GL. Initially, “Thor” will be deployed in two weeks at a time, are even able to make use of a fitness
the erection of BARD Offshore 1, northeast of the island Borkum. centre – assuming they still have the energy after finishing
a hard day’s work.
Technical Data The reasons for the high-quality outfitting of the ac-
CLASSIFICATIoN: cans): 7.4 m; operating depth: commodation and leisure area is that “Thor” is also de-
GL 100 A5 Self-Elevating 50.0 m; payload: 3,300 t; signed for purposes other than the installation of offshore
Unit, A - MC AUT deck load: 15.0 t/m²; wind farms in the North Sea and the Baltic. No one thinks
HULL DIMENSIoNS: hoisting capacity: 10,000 t it is likely, but if gaps arise in the orderbook as a result of
length: 70 m; width: 40 m; GEAr: heavy-lift crane delays in the planned expansion of offshore wind farms,
height: 60 m Liebherr BOS 14 000, “Thor” is also fully fit for service in the conventional off-
LEG DIMENSIoNS: capacity: 500 t/15 m shore business. JI

length: 82 m; diameter MoorING WINCHES:

(spudcans): 3.7 m (8.5 m)
oPErATIoNAL CoNDITIoNS:
draught (without spudcans):
3.5 m; draught (with spud-
4 single winches, GL GROUP EXPERT:
Jochen künzel
each pulling 30.0 t
offshore Installation
PoWEr SUPPLY: Diesel/electric, Phone: +49 40 36149-7424
total output: 5,010 kW E-Mail: jochen.kuenzel@gl-group.com

02/2010 13

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 t e c h n i c a l a s s u ra n c e c ra n e i n s p e c ti o n

Convincing
Performance
a recent landmark project with a cOscO
subsidiary enabled GL Noble Denton’s
shanghai-based industrial inspection
team to intensify its activities in the
port machinery market

In a project involving the construction of three

ship-to-shore (STS) container cranes to be in-
stalled at the Greek port of Piraeus, GL No-
ble Denton’s Shanghai team had submitted a proposal for
quality assurance services last February, and won the con-
tract. “This is an important milestone for us, because for
the first time ever, we secured a contract with a COSCO
affiliate,” says Manfred Bernitt, Technical Assurance Man-
ager at GL Noble Denton’s Shanghai office.
The project also holds significance for Piraeus Container
Terminal S.A. (PCT), the buyer of the three STS container
cranes: PCT is the wholly-owned overseas container ter-
minal operation of COSCO Pacific whose ultimate parent
company is China Ocean Ship-
abstract ping (Group) Company (COSCO).
Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry COSCO Pacific holds a conces-
Co., Ltd.(ZPMC) is the manufac- sion to operate Piers 2 and 3 of
turer of three cranes for Piraeus
the terminal facility at the Pirae-
Container Terminal S.A.
GL Noble Denton's Shanghai office us port, which serves as a bridge-
provided reliable services head in COSCO’s strategy to ex-
pand its global terminal network.
Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd (ZPMC) is the
manufacturer of the Piraeus cranes. “We have enjoyed an
excellent business relationship with ZPMC for some time and
Photo: Mondhe

were able to demonstrate our qualification and expertise in

a number of other projects in the past,” Bernitt explained.
“This is why ZPMC provided GL Noble Denton with the

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014 ZPMC Kräne-fhHSfhAKfhgmfh.indd 14 01.10.10 15:52

 Inspection. ZPMC,
the manufacturer of
the Piraeus cranes,
commissioned
GL Noble Denton to
perform quality
assurance services.

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014 ZPMC Kräne-fhHSfhAKfhgmfh.indd 15 01.10.10 15:52

 t e c h n i c a l a s s u ra n c e c ra n e i n s p e c ti o n

opportunity to participate in the call for bids.” Earlier
GL assignments with ZPMC ranged from supervising the con-
struction of a 4000-t/h shiploader for the port of Fujairah in
the United Arab Emirates to material verifaction of steel struc-
tures for the Koniambo Mine Development Project in New
Caledonia. Another recent project the team was contracted
for covered the supervision of the construction of two ship-
scheDuLe. to-shore cranes for the Egyptian port of Damietta.
An ambitious This first-ever contract from PCT provided
five-month time limit
GL Noble Denton with an excellent opportunity
was set for completing
the project. GL to build recognition with the Greek customer.
ensured timely and An ambitious five-month time limit was set for
successful delivery.
completing the project. “For a project of this
scale, we would have normally estimated seven months,”
says Bernitt. “But we made good on our commitment.”
Combined Efforts of the Experts
Three engineers were dispatched to the manufacturing site,
each one focusing on his specific field of expertise: mechan-
ical, electrical and steel structure engineering. David Chang
Wei, non-destructive testing expert and project manager
monitoring the workmanship, materials, procedures, fab-
rication, assembly, packing and preparation for shipment
of the cranes as well as on-site testing and commissioning
in accordance with the buyer’s specifications and contract
requirements. Fabrication and assembly were completed
on schedule at the ZPMC facilities in China, and so was
GL Noble Denton’s inspection work at the manufacturing
plant. The cranes are now on their way to Greece by ship.
GL ensured timely and successful delivery “thanks to the
combined efforts of all the team members and their volun-
tary overtime work,” said Wei.
STS Cranes for Piraeus –
Key Specifications
type Of structure: ship-to-shore
container crane
rateD capacity: under telescopic spreader: 65 t
type Of cONtaiNers tO be haNDLeD:
20’/40’/45’
raiL GauGe: 30.5 m Lift: 46 m (above
Photos: Mondhe

with GL Noble Denton, said he felt the GL team did an Outreach: 65 m rail top), 17 m
excellent job in providing reliable, independent services. In backreach: 22 m (below rail top)
the contract, GL Noble Denton accepted responsibility for

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014 ZPMC Kräne-fhHSfhAKfhgmfh.indd 16 01.10.10 15:52

 On-Site Service. Fabrication and assembly were completed on schedule at the ZPMC facilities in China, and so was
GL Noble Denton’s inspection work at the manufacturing plant.
“The inspections went very well. The owner is satisfied
because we showed the necessary amount of flexibility
while strictly adhering to the set principles,” Wei added.
He mentioned discussions regarding welding standards that
arose when the Greek engineer representing the owner
spelt out requirements the supplier found overly rigorous.
“We sat down to discuss this with the engineer and finally
agreed to the generally-recognized AWS D 1.1 standard,”
Wei recounted. “I was impressed by the smooth handling
of the communication process and the exchange of ideas.”
As a technical consultancy, GL Noble Denton is dedi-
cated to offering suppliers a variety of options in dealing
with specific challenges. At the same time, GL Noble Den-
ton ensures strict compliance with all contractual stipula-
tions. When it was determined that the personnel lift of
the Piraeus cranes did not meet the noise and vibration
requirements of the relevant standards, Wei and the other
team members were able to offer diagnostic suggestions,
drawing on their experience and know-how. “We recom-
mended having the rack and pinion teeth re-grounded and
then cleaned. By following this advice, the manufacturer
was able to deliver what is probably the best-possible per-
02/2010
014 ZPMC Kräne-fhHSfhAKfhgmfh.indd 17
sonnel lift while acquiring know-how they will benefit from
in future projects,” Wei explained.
Final Spurt in Greece
When the completed cranes arrive in Greece this October,
GL Noble Denton engineers will do their operational in-
spections on site in Piraeus, including all crane commission-
ing tests, load tests, passenger lift load tests and service
load tests. It will be the first time for GL Noble Denton’s
Shanghai team to conduct a cross-border operation inde-
pendently. The next phase of PCT’s Piraeus construction
plans involves eight rail-mounted gantry cranes that will
expand the handling capacity of the container terminals.
-“We have just learnt this contract has been awarded to GL
Noble Denton, too,” Wei proudly announced. ZL
GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERT:
Manfred bernitt
technical assurance Manager shanghai
phone: +86 21 2308 3868
e-Mail: manfred.bernitt@gl-group.com
17
01.10.10 15:52
 t e c h n i c a l a s s u ra n c e b u ru l l u s

Drilling in Deep Water

As an Independent Verification Body and Quality Surveillance Provider, GL Noble
Denton has been supporting various Burullus development projects since 2003

Sienna
Solar
Simian Serpent Cairo

Scarab Sapphire

Saffron

Saurus Sequoia Successful Exploration.

A total of nine gas fields
have been discovered
off the Egyptian coast.

Some 90 kilometres from the Nile Delta shore-
line, in water depths of 250 to 1,250 metres,
lies West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM), Egypt’s
largest gas field development area. The region and its geo-
logical horizons for natural gas came to attention in 1990,
when researchers discovered rich, high-quality gas deposits
la. Meanwhile, geologists believe the Delta and its adjacent
offshore area are analogous to other gas and petroleum-
rich deltas, such as those in Indonesia, the Niger River Delta
in West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico.
Ambitious Aims for all Participants

ABSTRACT
GL Noble Denton has pro-
vided technical assurance
services to the Burullus
projects since 2003
GL Noble Denton is in
charge of independent
verification and quality
inspections
in late Tertiary sands 2 to 5 million years
old, mainly in the Pliocene horizons, in
the Nile Delta.
These horizons extend far into the
deep waters of the Mediterranean Sea
to the north and north-west of the Del-
ta and the Western Desert, including
the offshore north of the Sinai Peninsu-
West Delta Deep Marine is owned by the Burullus Gas
Company consortium, a joint-venture company comprising
the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC),
Egypt’s national oil company, British Gas (BG) and Petronas.
Successful exploration and appraisal wells since 1997 have
resulted in the discovery of nine gas fields: Scarab/Saffron,
Simian, Sienna, Sapphire, Serpent, Saurus, Sequoia, Solar
and Sienna Up. The first WDDM fields – Scarab/Saffron in

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 Case Study
THE WEST DELTA DEEP MARINE (“WDDM”) Concession, located
approximately 90 kilometres off the north-western margin of the Nile
Delta, is being developed progressively to maintain current and future
gas supplies to the Egyptian domestic and export markets.
WDDM Phase VIII comprises an estimated 33 wells to be
developed in three stages; Phase VIII a, VIII b and VIII c, for comple-
tion during 2011, 2013 and 2015 respectively. Burullus appointed
GL Noble Denton to provide Independent Verification Authority
(IVA) and Quality Surveillance (QS) services. The challenge:
INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AUTHORITY
The scope of verification scheme includes design, fabrication,
manufacture, offshore installation and commissioning. It will be
applied to all offshore facilitys SCEs (Safety Critical Elements)
associated with the WDDM Concession development projects, such
as subsea production trees, pipelines, jumpers, subsea manifolds
and structures, control systems and umbilical incl. flying leads.
QUALITY SURVEILLANCE (INSPECTION):
Provision of all quality disciplines
Quality Co-coordinator
Senior Quality Surveyors at vendors and manufacturers of subsea
production trees, pipelines, bends, umbilicals, controls, valves,
welding, NDT, coating, AUT.
Quality audits / surveillance programme, including Quality Sur-
Photo: NASA
veillance HSE Expediting.
CLIENT REPRESENTATIVES
GL Noble Denton can mobilize Vessel / Barge Rep’s during the
installation of equipment such as subsea production trees,
pipelines, umbilicals, control systems and sub-sea structures, as
well as for surveys and pre-commissioning.
123 kilometres. 600 to 800 metres of water – started production
The fields set
in March 2003. The daily contract quantity is 633
records for the
longest direct- million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) over
to-beach tie- a period of at least 17 years.
backs. In 2005 the Simian, Sienna and Sapphire fields
were added to increase production to the Liquefied Natural
Gas (LNG) plant at Idku on the Egyptian coast. Both of these
fields set records for the longest direct-to-beach tie-backs,
with Simian being 123 kilometres in length. The Simian/Si-
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018 Burullus-fhHSAKfhgmol.indd 19
enna offshore facilities consist of eight subsea wells tied into
the existing WDDM gas gathering network. In addition there
is a shallow water control platform.
Independent verification services for the development
projects were placed into the hands of GL Noble Denton.
The next development phases of the West Delta Deep Mar-
ine area, called Phase IV, comprised eight additional wells,
five of them in the Scarab/Saffron area, two in the Serpent
field and one in the Sinbad field.
Subsea Equipment
With two manifolds already in place and flowline termina-
tion (PLET) and umbilical termination (UTA) points for each
of the eight existing wells located close to the respective
manifolds, the area is congested. The closest possible loca-
tion for the new northern manifold is more than 50 metres
away from either existing tie-in hub.
The subsea equipment for WDDM IV includes eight
horizontal subsea trees, two manifolds with subsea control
modules with 20-inch future connections, and four tie-in
spool bases (TSBs) with hubs for 23 jumpers and a 66-kilo-
metre, 10-inch diameter flowline. Each Scarab/Saffron man-
ifold contains a 20-inch connection hub for the tie-in of
further wells. 68 kilometres of installed umbilicals deliver
power, low and high-pressure hydraulic oil and communi-
cations services to the subsea facilities.
Furthermore, the equipment for WDDM IV includes
one new subsea distribution assembly, eight wet gas flow-
meters and at least 18 flying leads. Well drilling was com-
pleted in 2007 and gas has been flowing ever since. ZL
GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERT:
Hisham El-Grawany
Country Manager Egypt
Phone: + 202 25287295/6/7/8
E-Mail: hisham.el-grawany@gl-group.com
19
01.10.10 14:17
 t e c h n i c a l a s s u ra n c e p i p e s

Managing Pipework Vibration

Vibration is a significant threat to the integrity of process pipework, yet identifying
plant at risk can be a challenge for operators of large diverse assets

Data published by the UK’s Health & Safety
Executive (HSE) for the offshore industry in
the North Sea has highlighted that vibration
induced fatigue can be a major threat to pipework integrity,
concluding that fatigue/vibration was the primary cause of
and maintenance, vibration and noise problems, as well as
penalty clauses and other contractual obligations associ-
ated with failure to supply.
Screening Methodology

over 20% of all hydrocarbon releases. In addition to the
health, safety and environmental concerns associated with
any process fluid release, the consequences for plant oper-
ations and business performance due to pipework integrity
issues can be significant, including unplanned shutdowns
Tackling this issue on a process plant can be a significant
undertaking, with many kilometres of process piping and
numerous welded and mechanical connections potentially
at risk. A structured screening methodology is therefore
essential to:

Typical approach for implementing a pipework vibration screening methodology

STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3

Photo: Dreamstime
Site measurements Detailed investiga-
Initial and assessment of tions and develop-
screening risk to pipework ment of solutions

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020 PipeVibes-fhHSfhgmfh.indd 20 01.10.10 14:17


identify the sources of vibration excitation;
identify pipework at risk and assess the relative
risk;
pioritize effort on areas of most concern;
consider the possible effects of changes in plant
operation.
An outline of the approach used by GL Noble Denton to
address the risk of pipework vibration issues on a large di-
verse asset, such as a gas processing plant, is shown below.
Risk. Vibration induced fatigue can be a major threat to pipework integrity
– it was the primary cause of over 20 per cent of all hydrocarbon releases.
02/2010
020 PipeVibes-fhHSfhgmfh.indd 21
ABSTRACT
Pipework vibration can be
a significant threat to the
integrity of process plants
Implementation of a struc-
tured screening programme
allows high priority areas to
be identified and addressed
During the initial screening, plant
Detailed assessments are
areas that are likely to experience vi- used to understand any
problems identified and to
bration problems are identified by
develop solutions
pinpointing the main vibration sourc-
es while assessing the relative risk for
planning subsequent investigations. Stage 2 then covers
investigation of these key areas, including vibration mea-
surements and a review of the as-installed pipework design
and condition. The final stage concentrates on the loca-
tions which are of most concern. Detailed vibration
21
01.10.10 14:17
 t e c h n i c a l a s s u ra n c e p i p e s
measurement studies may be undertaken that cover
a range of plant operating conditions if necessary. Solutions
can then be developed to address the issues highlighted,
and validated experimentally or theoretically.
The approach defined in the publication from the En-
ergy Institute – “Guidelines for the avoidance of
MANAGEMENT.
GL Noble Denton vibration induced fatigue failure in process pipe-
implemented a work” – provides a framework for this screen-
structured ing methodology and is starting to be accepted
assessment
across the oil and gas industry as best practice.
methodology to
identify problem However, these guidelines are primarily targeted
areas and define at offshore installations and process plants, and
subsequent
therefore require further refinement in some ap-
mitigation actions.
plications to account for specific issues, such as
assessment of the vibration risk on gas transmission facili-
ties and pipework.
GL Noble Denton has a team of engineers based in their
Loughborough office in the UK who carry out
these assessments, and utilize a range
of vibration measurement equip-
ment for detailed studies to gain
22
020 PipeVibes-fhHSfhgmfh.indd 22
an understanding of the cause of any failures. Recently this
expertise has been applied to screening of vibration prob-
lems on several gas-fired power stations, and a strategy
is in the process of being implemented for an operator in
North Africa with onshore and offshore gas production fa-
cilities.
Case Study: Offshore and Onshore
For one UK client with onshore and offshore facilities, this
expertise was used to satisfy the requirement to manage
the risk of potential vibration problems in response to rec-
ommendations by the safety regulator. To meet this objec-
tive, GL Noble Denton implemented a structured assess-
ment methodology to identify problem areas and define
subsequent mitigation actions for the main pipework and
small bore connections.
The initial site survey consisted of a walk-round visual
review of the site processes and pipework, fol-
Photo: Dreamstime
lowed by basic vibration measurements
and assessment of the likelihood of
failure of any connections. This
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01.10.10 14:17
 Fatigue Failure
A B
Figure 1 shows an example of a failure on a small bore
connection on the PIPEWORK OF A GAS COMPRESSOR . The
failure was detected by the release of gas into the com-
pressor building through the crack in the weld between
the upper flange and pipe section. The subsequent inves-
tigation confirmed that this was a fatigue failure DUE TO
EXCITATION of the second mode of vibration of the small
bore connection by forces relating to the blade passing fre-
quency of the compressor at certain operating speeds. This
problem had evidently been occurring over a long period,
as corrosion on the fracture face suggested the crack had
been growing intermittently.
Stress. Fatigue failure at
the upper flange of a
small bore connection.
A Crack evident at weld
toe
B Fracture face showing
growth of fatigue crack
C Small bore connection
with blank flange
02/2010
020 PipeVibes-fhHSfhgmfh.indd 23
exercise identified key problem areas for immediate reme-
dial action and further investigation, allowing effort to be
focused on the highest-risk areas in subsequent stages.
Immediate recommendations included improvement of
ineffective pipework supports, addressing maintenance is-
sues, and design changes for vulnerable small bore con-
nections that were highlighted to be at risk of failure. Sub-
sequent detailed assessment to analyse the problems and
develop solutions included installation of monitoring equip-
ment to assess the behaviour of the compression plant over
its full operating range, and during transient events such as
pipeline cleaning sphere arrival.
This ongoing project is successfully demonstrating to
the UK HSE that the risk of vibration-related pipework fa-
tigue failure is being adequately managed across the cli-
ent’s facilities. TM/PI
GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERT:
Dr Toby Miles
Senior Consultant – Asset Management
Phone: +44 1509 282284
E-Mail: toby.miles@gl-group.com
23
01.10.10 14:17
 dynamic
o i l & g a s m e rg e r

positioning

Photo: NASA

24 energıze

024 GL-energize-DP-olHSgmfh.indd 24 01.10.10 14:17

 Dynamic Positioning (DP) is a
computer-controlled system that
automatically maintains a vessel’s
position and heading.
GL Noble Denton provides DP assurance
services, including failure mode and
effects analyses (FMEA) and failure
mode, effects and criticality
analyses (FMECA).

02/2010 25

024 GL-energize-DP-olHSgmfh.indd 25 01.10.10 14:18

 d y n a m i c p o s i ti o ni n g o v e rvi e w
Very Dynamic Progress
the year 2010 sees some fundamental regulatory changes for dynamic positioning
The use of of dynamic positioning in offshore
projects is growing. An increased number of
DP vessels are already operating in the Gulf of
Mexico and will be required for offshore wind farm instal-
lation in Europe and Asia. In addition, vessels and rigs are
becoming larger. The industry is increasingly approaching
dynamic positioning operations from a risk awareness per-
spective. A number of organizations are taking a close look
26
026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 26
at the regulatory framework. Classification societies are
publishing updates to their dynamic positioning (DP) rules
as they do on a regular basis, but some of this year’s chang-
es go a bit further than usual. The effects of changes to the
relevant classification society rules normally have a limited
impact because they tend to affect ships in that class only.
However, changes in class rules can level the playing field,
thus providing the DP vessel owning community with more
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01.10.10 14:18
 Magical Precision.
Dynamic Positioning
enables float-over
installations of top-
sides in a fraction of
the usual time. choice. 2010 also sees the first steps in a potentially radi-
cal approach to create a government-run regulatory and
inspection regime for DP applying to all DP vessels operat-
ing within a certain jurisdiction. This is happening in the
United States. The scope is wide and encompasses design
and engineering standards for DP vessels, DP operating
standards and DP training standards. These rules will fall
within the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) scope of
inspection for vessels sailing under the US flag as well as
foreign flags.
We should also turn our attention to abstract
the International Marine Contractors As- With the growing use of
DP and a rising market
sociation (IMCA) who will, as usual, be demand, DP moves into the
publishing new guidance documents for centre of attention
This year, several changes
the DP sector as well as revising existing
to regulatory documents
guidance, including the M103 “Guide- have taken place or are
being made
lines for the Design and Operation of DP
Vessels”. IMCA are also reviewing and
updating their guidance on Annual DP Trials. This is likely to
reflect changing patterns and the increasing importance of
annual DP trials in the DP sector.

Required Reference Standards

Over the past twenty years, the international trade associa-

tion representing offshore, marine and underwater engi-
neering companies has built up a valuable source of guid-
ance documents for the DP sector, accessible to members
and non-members alike. Much of the IMCA guidance is
referenced in company management systems and is found
on the bookshelves of a large number of DP vessels regard-
less of flag or location. Oil and gas companies frequently
use IMCA guidance as required reference standards

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026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 27 01.10.10 14:18

 d y n a m i c p o s i ti o ni n g o v e rvi e w
Photo: USCG
in pre-contract selection processes. For example, the
IMCA CMID inspection process is currently regarded by
clients, including most oil companies, as the preferred in-
spection tool for DP and other vessels. However, 2010 has
seen the implementation of an alternative process. This is
the OCIMF initiative – OVID – (Offshore Vessel Inspection
Database) which is now gaining a foothold among oil com-
panies. Whether two different inspection processes can co-
exist comfortably in the future and still meet the industry’s
apparent need for a common standard is yet to be seen.
Truly Independent Nature
IMCA’s pre-eminent position as a principal source of DP op-
erational guidance to the industry may soon be challenged:
The US-based DP Committee of MTS (Marine Technology
Society) is set to publish wide-ranging guidance on DP op-
erations. This is planned to be presented at the MTS DP
Conference in Houston in October this year. This MTS ini-
tiative is quite independent from what is happening at the
USCG although there is some cross-fertilization of ideas
between the two groups. The truly independent nature of
MTS, it is after all a non-profit technological society serving
no particular special group, should give it a better-than-
28
026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 28
Inspection. A US Coast Guard Officer
inspects the emergency alarms during
an annual inspection of a foreign
vessel.
average chance of succeeding with its guidance. This is a
new venture for the MTS DP Committee and, if successful,
could lead on to more.
Target Date 2012
Finally, 2010 sees the continuation of the process at IMO
to include DP training and experience standards in the on-
going comprehensive review of STCW. It is expected that
standards for DP will be included in Part B, and hence will
not be mandatory. Each administration will, as ever, inter-
pret its responsibilities in its own way and will source.
develop its own response, whether it be in the The industry uses
form of regulation, guidance or some other IMCA guidance
as required
measure. The target date for completion of the
reference
revision of STCW is the summer of 2012. standards in
It is too early at this stage to determine pre-contract
selection
what effect the inclusion of DP in STCW will
processes.
have on the DP sector. Many in the sector are
already suspicious of STCW certification and are likely to
remain suspicious after the inclusion of DP.
With the increasing use of dynamic positioning and a
rising market demand, dynamic positioning moves into the
centre of attention of a number of organizations. This year,
several updates and changes to DP regulatory documents
have taken place or are still being made. An intensive dia-
logue within the industry is currently going on, advancing
technological development and enhancing safety.
This text is based on a paper presented at the
European Dynamic Positioning Conference in May 2010.
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01.10.10 14:18
 dyn amic posit ion in g us rul es

Growth of
Activity
Probably the most radical development
with the greatest potential to affect the
DP community in the us, also potentially
worldwide, is currently taking place in
the united states

The proposed rule-making covers three areas:

DP design and engineering, DP operations and
DP training. The process has begun and there
appears to be a tight timetable for its development and in-
corporation as a “Code of Federal Regulation” (CFR). This
2010 initiative is a reinstatement of the stalled 1999 ef-
fort to regulate DP in the US. A limited measure was put
in place in 2003 by the USCG. Penalties for contravening

abstract a CFR are scaled depending on the se-

The NOSAC prepares recom- verity of the contravention and extend

mendations for rule-making from financial penalties (fines) through
in design and engineering,
operations and training to seizure of the vessel and on to im-
The DP sector should watch prisonment.
developments in the US Since 2003 the USCG has witnessed
and be prepared for other
coastal states following suit an almost exponential growth of activi-
ty in the DP sector offshore, particularly
on the OCS (Outer Continental Shelf) of the Gulf of Mexico.
In 2010 almost every OSV that attends rigs and platforms
in the Outer Shelf is DP Class 2 and even in the shallow
waters of the inner shelf the number of DP OSVs is increas-
Photo: iStockphoto

ing. This is in addition to the rapid rise in the number of DP

drillships and MODUs, accommodation units, construction
vessels, pipelayers and decommissioning vessels, etc.,

02/2010 29

026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 29 01.10.10 14:18

 d y n a m i c p o s i ti o ni n g u s ru l e s

Photo: USCG
Results. During the annual inspection marine safety officers inspect all parts of a
vessel for safety regulations and also look for environmental hazards.

almost all of which are DP-classed. This has given ommendations are being considered by the USCG. Now,
rise to a situation where the USCG inspectors, who are the real process will start towards creating the rules and
charged with the responsibility for maintaining safety and their incorporation into a CFR. That process will include
environmental standards in US waters through regulatory review opportunities for industry and other special groups
compliance inspections, are not in a position to properly do and interests, including environmental groups and Wash-
so, since they have no regulatory basis for DP ington lobbyists.
uscg.
The US inspection inspections. This absence of a regulatory basis
regime requires all in DP is a hole that the USCG is intent on fill-
vessels to be ing. The US inspection regime requires all ves-
subjected to
annual Coast
Guard inspection.
sels, whether under the US or foreign flags, to
be subjected to annual Coast Guard inspection Infos & Events
prior to issuance of a COI (Certificate of Inspec-
oVID www.ocimf-ovid.com/microsite
tion) for US-flagged or a COC (Certificate of Compliance)
ocIMF www.ocimf.com
for foreign-flagged vessels.
IMca www.imca-int.com/
The USCG has entrusted the National Offshore Safety
DP www.dynamic-positioning.com/
Advisory Committee (NOSAC) with preparing recommenda-
tions for rule-making in the three designated areas: design relateD eVents
and engineering, DP operations and DP training. Mts DP Houston 12–13 October
NOSAC delivered their recommendations to the US IMca annual MeetIng 23–24 November
Coast Guard at the end of June 2010. NOSAC were re- aDIPec 1–4 November
quired to deliver their recommendations to the Coast
Guard by the end of June 2010. Currently, NOSAC’s rec-

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026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 30 01.10.10 14:18

 Photo: Dreamstime (l); Marcusroos (r)
Safety. The rapid rise in the number of DP drillships and MODUs, accommodation units,
construction vessels, pipelayers and decommissioning vessels call for a new regulatory basis.
NOSAC consists of industry-wide interests and is not
limited to US based representatives. These industry-wide
interests include oil companies, drilling contractors, ves-
sel owners, equipment manufacturers, technical societies,
training institutions, trade associations and consultants.
The work of the NOSAC working groups has been con-
fidential in its detail. However, in broad terms there appears
to be a move towards recognizing a considerable amount
of DP guidance already in the public domain, as well as in-
dustry practices that have proven to be successful in con-
trolling and mitigating DP incidents. For example, it is likely
that the NOSAC working group on DP design and engineer-
ing recommended to the Coast Guard that they adopt large
tracts of IMO MSC/Circ 645.
Extending the Scope
The group that deals with DP operations is also likely to rec-
ognize existing industry wide guidance as well as existing
oil company practices which may exceed or differ from the
provisions of industry-wide guidance and classification so-
cieties. For example, this may be the case with the NOSAC
recommendations in relation to annual DP trials. In DP
02/2010
026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 31
training it is likely that existing training and certification ar-
rangements, such as the internationally recognized NI DPO
certification scheme, are included in NOSAC’s recommen-
dations, along with additional recommendations for vessel-
specific familiarization and training and for extending the
scope to cover engineering and electrical disciplines.
It should be emphasized that this current DP rulemak-
ing initiative pre-dated the Deepwater Horizon disaster by
many months. The path towards DP rulemaking in the US
as described above appears to be unstoppable. The DP sec-
tor should watch developments in the US and be prepared
for other coastal states, especially those that have deepwa-
ter oil and gas fields and rely on DP drillships and MODUs,
DP construction and other DP applications, to follow the
American example.
GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERT:
cpt. Joe Hughes
Dynamic Positioning
Phone: +1 281 6101090
e-Mail: jhughes@nobledenton.com
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01.10.10 14:18
 d y n a m i c p o s i ti o ni n g g l ru l e s
Decisions and
Choices
classification society germanischer lloyd (gl) has updated
its dynamic positioning rules. a brief description of the
amendments and changes
A new version of the Rules for Dynamic Pos-
itioning Systems was published by Germa-
nischer Lloyd in May 2010. The updated rules
account for latest experience in DP projects. In addition,
they highlight the importance of the redundancy concept,
a design requirement for class notations DP 2 and DP 3.
The GL DP Rules are based on IMO MSC/Circ. 645
“Guidelines for Vessels with Dynamic Positioning Systems”
dated 6 June 1994, which still applies unchanged. The
owner or operator of a DP vessel has to make several deci-
sions and choices in preparing for DP classification:
The owner / operator must define the environmental
32
026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 32
conditions and operational modes for DP operation,
e.g. by means of a DP capability analysis.
The owner / operator must specify the period for ter-
minating a DP operation safely after a single failure.
The operating area for the vessel must be defined as
a prerequisite for determining the DP Class Notation.
The DP class notation required for a particular opera-
tion should be agreed upon between the owner of the ves-
sel and the charterer, based on an analysis of the conse-
Photo: iStockphoto
quences of loss of position during the operation. Depend-
ing on the specific dynamic positioning operational require-
ments, one of the DP notations (DP 0 to DP 3, related to
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01.10.10 14:18

the respective IMO equipment class acc. to MSC/Circ. 645)
may be assigned by Germanischer Lloyd.
DP 0 anD DP 1: Loss of position is possible after a sin-
gle failure.
DP 2: Loss of position will not occur after a single fail-
ure in any active component or system.
DP 3: Loss of position will not occur after a single fail-
ure in any active or static component or system. This in-
cludes the loss of one compartment due to fire or flooding.
The class notation only relates to the loss of position
after a single failure as defined above. It is not linked di-
rectly to the accuracy of the positioning of the vessel, nor
02/2010
026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 33
Rough sea. High
safety standards
and clear rules
help seamen to
master difficult
situations.
does it specify any conditions the system must fulfil. Accu-
racy typically depends on optimal adjustment of all involved
DP system components, which is primarily achieved by fine-
tuning the software in the DP control system.
The Redundancy Concept
To save time and money during the construction phase, it
is essential to define the redundancy concept as early as
possible during the design phase.
It makes sense for the redundancy concept and the
worst-case failure design to account for the operating
modes (e.g. the work to be carried out, such as pipe
33
01.10.10 14:18
 d y n a m i c p o s i ti o ni n g g l ru l e s
laying, crane work, supply, transit, etc.) and the op-
erating conditions (e.g. environmental conditions for work,
lifting, etc.) during the design phase to allow for appropri-
ate design modifications. In the new GL
abstract DP Rules, this is supported by the early
The GL DP Rules 2010 ac- approval of the redundancy concept.
count for latest experience
in DP projects
One of the DP notations 0
Defining Technical Challenges
to 3 may be assigned by GL
The first section of the new rules pro-
During the service life of
the vessel, the DP system vides many definitions to form a com-
must be tested annually mon basis of understanding in this spe-
cial field of shipbuilding. The following
definition updates may serve as examples:
DP caPabIlItY analYsIs: A theoretical calculation and
a polar plot representing the vessel’s capability to main-
tain position under specific wind, wave and current condi-
tions and directions. These conditions should be consid-
ered separately for different thruster combinations, e.g. all
thrusters, loss of the most effective thrusters, WCF.
34
026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 34
reDunDancY concePt: The means whereby
the design intent for coping with a worst-case failure is im-
plemented.
Worst-case FaIlure DesIgn Intent (WcFDI):
The worst-case failure design intent of a DP system is the
single assumed failure that serves as a basis for defining the
design and operating conditions. It usually involves simulta-
neous failure of several thrusters and generators.
sIngle FaIlure concePt: The single failure concept
assumes one single failure as the initiating event of an un-
desired occurrence. Simultaneous occurrence of several in-
dependent failures is not considered. However, common
mode failures are to be examined.
Worst case FaIlure (WcF): The single failure mode
identified in the DP system that would have the great-
est conceivable effect on DP capability. It is determined
through FMEA.
The definitions of the documents required for approval
have been modified and extended, especially so for nota-
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01.10.10 14:18

Classic. Light taut
wire, the oldest posi-
tion reference system
used for DP is still
very accurate in rela-
tively shallow water.
tions DP 2 and DP 3. These modifications af-
fect the area of redundancy, i.e. the redundan-
cy concept and the Failure Mode and Effects
Analysis (FMEA), including the trial programme.
The FMEA and related trial documentation are
the main approval documents required for class
notations DP 2 and DP 3. They can be prepared by a body
such as GL Noble Denton.
A novelty in the GL DP Rules is the option to assign
both notations (DP 3 / DP 2) to a vessel so that either no-
tation may be used in specific DP operating configurations
as appropriate. This enables operators to ensure efficient,
optimal power output and distribution as required for the
given operating parameters.
New Details for Innovations
Section 3 of the GL Rules explains surveys and tests to be
carried out during construction. A factory acceptance test
for the DP control system has been added. Furthermore, a
02/2010
026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 35
full integration test may be required by GL, depending on
the degree of technical innovation and the complexity of
the DP system. Apart from the standard survey, a heat run
for all thrusters and an endurance test of no less than four
hours of continuous operation are required.
The main practical verification for DP 2 and DP 3 sys-
tems is done in an FMEA proving trial pursuant to an ap-
proved trial programme. This trial serves to verify the theo-
retical results of the FMEA document.
Photos: BoH
During the service life of the vessel, the DP system must
be tested annually. DP annual trials may be conducted in-
dependently from the annual class surveys. It is sufficient
to submit the documentation of the DP annual trial to GL.
For the class renewal survey due every five years, the
FMea. complete FMEA proving trial has to be repeated in the pres-
The Failure
ence of a GL surveyor. Upon any major modifications of the
Mode and Effects
Analysis is one DP system, a test of either the modified parts or the entire
of the main system is required, depending on the given circumstances.
approval For DP 2 and DP 3 vessels, the FMEA is a critical safety
documents.
item and therefore a “living” document that must be up-
dated as necessary. As a key document, it provides the DP
operator with guidance on corrective action in case of fail-
ure. It also allows engineers to determine how temporary
removal of a component or system, e.g. for planned main-
tenance, will affect redundancy. US
GL MARITIME EXPERT:
uwe supke
automation, germanischer lloyd Maritime
Phone: +49 40 36149 9200
e-Mail: uwe.supke@gl-group.com
35
01.10.10 14:18
 d y n a m i c p o s i ti o ni n g interview
”Nowadays almost every
new Offshore Vessel
has DP Capability“
bob thomson, gl noble Denton’s group Director Dynamic
Positioning, about the challenges with DP and when vessels
are “fit for purpose”
energIZe: Dynamic Positioning (DP) is the
hot topic at the moment. What does
gl noble Denton offer?
tHoMson: GL Noble Denton offers DP auditing and en-
gineering consultancy associated with new designs and
upgrades. We also perform float-overs with dynamic po-
sitioning. The auditing involves annual audits, suitability
inspections and FMEAs – Failure Mode and Effects Ana-
lysis audits. We also provide specialist consultancy related
to feasibility, design and upgrades/refurbishment. It is a
growing market. The vessels are larger, more capable and
more complicated than ever. Nowadays almost every new
offshore vessel has DP capability.
energIZe: to which vessels does dynamic positioning
apply?
tHoMson: Today, basically every offshore service vessel
uses dynamic positioning. This is especially relevant for
windfarm installation vessels. But it’s not just ships. There
are also DP semi-submersibles and drillships. Why the lat-
ter? If an operator wants to drill in 5,000 feet of water,
he can’t possibly use a conventional mooring arrangement
36
026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 36
using anchor chains, because the water is too deep. So he
uses a DP unit which automatically and very precisely holds
its position to allow drilling operations to be undertaken. It
is not connected to the seabed and just keeps its position
for weeks at a time.
energIZe: What is the actual the challenge with DP?
tHoMson: There are many, but one is certainly whether a
vessel is “fit for purpose”. Let me give you an example: A
shipowner wins a long-term contract and goes to a ship-
yard and orders an expensive DP vessel. The shipyard will
build it, complying with the general standards of class and
other statutory bodies, but often this may not involve a
specialist DP audit company at the outset to check the de-
sign.The shipowner is reliant on the capability of the ship-
yard and his own experience. The shipowner’s client will be
the oil company who will have specific tasks in mind for
the vessel and will generally demand an independent audit
from a trusted service provider such as GL Noble Denton to
make sure that the ship will be fit for purpose.
Prior to the contract, or perhaps on delivery, the vessel
will be given a full third-party audit, normally an FMEA, to
energıze
01.10.10 14:18

make sure the vessel is compliant with the specifications of
the contract. There is definitely a cost benefit of involving
a specialist DP consulting company at the outset to ensure
that the vessel they build is going to meet the demanding
standards of the international market.
Dynamic Positioning
Consulting & Assurance
Bob Thomson.
GL Noble Denton’s
Group Director
GL Noble Denton’s global DP team provides
Dynamic
Positioning. first-class support in oil and gas wherever you
are. Our services include design and analysis of
redundancy concepts for Class 2 & 3.
GL Noble Denton’s FMEA & FMECA is used on
all types of offshore support vessels around the
world – from drillships to offshore supply
vessels including: diving equipment, ballast
systems, pipelay equipment, bow loading
systems, heavy lift cranes.
GL Noble Denton provides global DP support
with local resources in all regions supported
from a “Centre of Excellence” in Aberdeen,
Scotland.
SNB

GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERT: Performance

robert W. thomson
Dynamic Positioning In addition to the many feasibility studies,
Phone: +1 832 3006718
e-Mail: bob.thomson@gl-nobledenton.com GL Noble Denton has performed these float-overs
to date:
Photo: Ken Doerr

Photo: Ali Badri

Bunga Orkid A.
Bunga Raya A topside (DP assistance)
Bunga Raya E topside (DP assistance)
Rong Doi topside (DP)
EGP-3A topside (moored)
Rong Doi.
Bunga Orkid A topside (DP)
Umm Shaif CSP-1 topside (DP)
Photo: Daejoo

Umm Shaif UAP topside. Maersk.

Umm Shaif UAP topside (DP)
Umm Shaif CP-1 topside (moored)
Maersk Oil Qatar – BG topside (DP)
Maersk Oil Qatar – BE topside (DP)

02/2010 37

026 Overview-olHSolfholfhgmolfh.indd 37 01.10.10 14:18

 consulting
o i l & g a s m e rg e r

Offering consulting across the entire

asset lifecycle, GL Noble Denton
combines exceptional engineering
and analytical skills with operational
experience of offshore and onshore
Photo: iStockphoto

oil & gas assets.

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 02/2010 39

038 GL-energize-Consulting1-olHSolgmfh.indd 39 01.10.10 14:19

 c o n s u l t i ng s a s o l

S
GA
L
RA
TU
NA
NATURAL GAS
Komatipoort
METHANE RICH GAS Matsulu

Middelburg
Pretoria Witbank
Maputo
Randfontein
Badplaas

Johannesburg
Lenasia
SWAZILAND
Secunda

Vanderbijlpark

ME
Volksrust TH
AN
ER
ICH
GA
S
SOUTH AFRICA
Newcastle

Richards
Bay

AFRICA Connection. The South African

national transportation network
with more than 2,000 kilometres
of high-pressure gas pipelines.

MAP SECTION

Durban
40 energıze

040 Sasol-fhHSfhgmololfh.indd 40 01.10.10 14:19

 S
GA
Miramar
MOZAMBIQUE
Ensuring Gas Supply
Reliability in South Africa
By implementing a software solution tailored to the client’s needs, Gl noble Denton
enabled South african Sasol Gas to operate its pipeline network reliably, safely
and efficiently
Sasol Gas operates and maintains the South
African national gas transportation network
with more than 2,000 kilometres of high-
pressure gas pipeline, including the 865-km cross-border
pipeline linking the gas fields in Mozambique to the Sasol
Gas network in South Africa. Currently the network deliv-
ers more than 120 million gigajoules of gas per year to over
541 customers in the industrial regions
aBStraCt of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-
A dynamic gas transmis- Natal and Northern Free State. Sasol
sion network requires a Gas markets two separate types of gas
state-of-the-art pipeline
management system through their gas transmission network:
GL Noble Denton engi- natural gas produced in Mozambique,
neered a sustainable and methane-rich synthetic gas manu-
solution
factured in the Sasol Synfuels plant in
Secunda. Sasol gas realized that manag-
ing a growing, complex gas transmission network effectively
requires state-of-the-art pipeline management systems.
With a software portfolio based on world-leading pipeline
simulation technology and broad experience in implement-
02/2010
040 Sasol-fhHSfhgmololfh.indd 41
ing similar systems for major gas pipeline clients throughout
the world, GL Noble Denton was able to demonstrate it was
the right partner for this project.
Working together with Sasol Gas, GL Noble Denton en-
gineered a solution that not only meets the current require-
ments of the growing Sasol Gas gas transmission network
but will also handle its future needs. GL Noble Denton’s gas
management system is based on the Stoner Software suite.
The accuracy of simulation provided by the SPS/Simulator
is unsurpassed by any other product available today. A real-
time, simulation-based solution is particularly suited to the
dynamic operating nature of gas transmission networks. GL
Noble Denton’s SPS software suite supports a wide variety
of applications that can provide major benefits throughout
a gas pipeline company’s organization. Sasol Gas identified
a number of key business issues which required addressing
in order to operate the pipeline network in a safe and ef-
ficient manner. These included:
balancing the volume of gas across the entire value chain;
managing unaccounted-for gas;
41
01.10.10 14:19
 c o n s u l t i ng s a s o l
managing a rapidly developing gas network;
optimally utilizing the existing infrastructure to service
existing customers;
Quantifying of spare capacity.
Sasol and GL Noble Denton worked together to define the
requirements for the new system, ensuring that the needs
of all stakeholders were met. The resultant solution was
a totally integrated gas management system consisting of
identical on- and offline simulation tools using common
simulation engines. Access to the system is through a web-
based graphical user interface that provides data access
across the whole Sasol Gas organization. The main users of
the system were identified as follows:
Engineering
SPS offline was utilized by the engineering department for
piping design, station design, as well as meas-
SCaDa.
Supervisory Control urement station design. Typical engineering ac-
and Data Acquisition, tivities would include:
a technology using
pressure and throughput analyses;
software to enable
velocity analyses/pig tracking;
realtime monitoring
and control of gas temperature analysis, heaters/conden-
infrastructure
sate prediction.
systems, industrial
plants and facilities.
Gas Planning
SPS on-line and predictive functions are used by the planning
department to undertake network analysis, cost analysis, as
well as intermediate and long-term gas planning including:
throughput a pressure analysis;
multiple scenario capability;
contract compliance monitoring;
availability and survival analysis;
scheduling.
Operations
The Operations Group is the primary user of the on-line
pipeline management system. The system resides in the gas
control centre where it is connected to the pipeline SCADA
system and gathers information from the field measuring
42
040 Sasol-fhHSfhgmololfh.indd 42
instruments which are used to drive the real-time, fully-
transient mathematical simulation model of the pipeline
network. The results from the simulation model are used
for a wide range of pipeline applications supporting all ar-
eas of the gas pipeline business.
Gas capacity or line pack is one of the key parameters
that gas controllers require in the daily operation of the
gas network, however it is through the use of advanced
predictive simulation tools that the gas controller can gain
the greatest benefits. The operations department also uti-
lize the online and predictive functions of the SPS model to
carry out the following operations:
leak detection;
pressure monitoring;
operational forecasting;
line pack analyses;
operational optimization;
composition and quality tracking;
pig and scraper tracking.
Marketing/System Support
The marketing department uses SynerGEE Gas for long-
range planning to validate potential new business and con-
duct what-if studies regarding debottlenecking solutions
for future gas delivery needs. Marketing is also concerned
with identifying customers who could take gas at rates be-
yond what their current contracts and nominations mandate
which may be difficult to recognize using current methods.
Software Solution
The pipeline management system that was installed at
Sasol Gas combined two products from GL Noble Denton’s
Stoner family of pipeline simulation software.
SynerGee GaS is a simulation package with multiple
modules which is used extensively in the design and plan-
ning of gas pipeline systems. It is used for both transmis-
sion pipelines and distribution networks.
Stoner PiPeline Simulator (SPS), a fully-transient
simulation package with multiple modules, is used for on-
energıze
01.10.10 14:19
 line and offline simulations of gas pipeline systems, primari-
ly transmission pipelines. The application modules selected
for the Sasol Gas project included Leak Finder, Look Ahead
Model, and Planning Predictor. The SPS Operational Inter-
face is a web-enabled graphical user interface allowing in-
formation to be displayed directly through a web browser
on any PC connected to the Sasol gas network. Access is
tightly controlled through a comprehensive security system
built into the operational interface.
Project Implementation
A project team of Sasol Gas, Sastech, BCX (the Sasol Gas
IT consultant) and GL Noble Denton was established and a
number of key project stages were defined:
meterinG StuDy – The need for a detailed study on
the existing high-pressure fiscal metering system was iden-
tified. GL Noble Denton validated the systems, identifying
potential areas of improvement.
DetaileD DeSiGn – A detailed system design study
was undertaken to define the required system functionality
and architecture. Interfaces with other corporate systems,
including SCADA, metering systems, the ERP environment
etc. had to be defined to allow the systems to exchange
data. All of the project stakeholders were engaged in a se-
ries of workshops to ensure that all of the system require-
ments were included in the final, detailed design.
imPlementation – A truly multinational team from
GL Noble Denton Software Solutions were involved in the
project, including resources in the UK as well as Mecha-
nicsburg and Houston. Final acceptance testing took place
towards the end of 2009, followed by an intensive training
programme for system users. AW
GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERT:
andrew Wilde
Software Solutions
Phone: +44 1509 28 2381
e-mail: andrew.wilde@gl-group.com
02/2010
040 Sasol-fhHSfhgmololfh.indd 43
Transmission Networks. The basic challenge for operators is
balancing the changing conditions of supply and demand.
Stoner Software by
GL Noble Denton
SynerGee GaS – netWorK moDellinG anD analy-
SiS – SynerGEE® Gas, a general-purpose modelling tool for
gas piping networks, models and analyses complex, closed-
conduit transmission and distribution pipeline systems consist-
ing of pipes, regulators, valves, compressors, storage fields and
production wells. Used extensively in the design and planning
of gas pipeline systems, SynerGEE combines the features of the
most advanced pipeline simulation software commercially avail-
able with the ease and familiarity of a Windows-based operat-
ing system. These modules include the Customer Management
Module to link SynerGEE with the existing Customer Informa-
tion Services, Model Builder which lets you import, filter and
query data from multiple external GIS sources, and the Area
Isolation Module which allows you to choose an area to isolate
for emergency planning, maintenance or other scenarios.
Stoner PiPeline Simulator (SPS) – GL Noble Denton’s
Stoner Pipeline Simulator is the worldwide leader in transient
flow simulation for liquid and gas pipelines. The GL Noble
Denton pipeline simulation suite provides a complete range
of simulation solutions from the design and planning desktop
through operator training and qualification, and into online
systems including leak detection and predictive simulation.
Using new technologies and innovative architectures, SPS
easily handles any combination of scenarios including control
system analyses, equipment performance analyses and pressure
flow capacity analyses with user-defined levels of complexity.
43
01.10.10 14:19
 c o n s u l t i ng fp s o

Integrity is Crucial
The durability of FPSO mooring systems can be improved by optimizing the de-
sign and integrity management. The results of a joint industry project (JIP) were
presented at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston last May

“The challenge of achieving consistent moor-
ing integrity for FPSOs requires operational ex-
perience and stringent analysis of all available
data,” says Martin Brown, FPSO expert at GL Noble Den-
ton in Aberdeen. “Improvements are necessary in the areas
of design and integrity management.”
ABSTRACT This is one of the results of Phase 2 of
FPSO mooring systems are a joint industry project on mooring in-
subject to high loads and
tegrity. The project has again brought
constant fatigue loading for
an extended duration to the fore the importance of mooring
Improved inspection and integrity, which has led to improved
condition monitoring offshore inspection and condition mon-
ensures integrity
itoring.
The OTC paper presents the steps that
have been initiated to improve mooring durability in terms
Floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO)
systems are used for offshore oil and gas exploration and
development. These floating systems allow access to deep-
water and remote reserves.
In 2009 about 130 FPSO units were operating world-
wide and many more are planned. “A floating rather than
fixed asset is a major integrity step change,” says JIP man-
ager Brown. Floating hulls often have additional and com-
plex interacting systems, some of which are linked to the
safety-critical issue of station-keeping. “The project ad-
dresses a number of areas that are of particular concern
with regard to mooring/station-keeping integrity, and is
feeding the results back to the operators,” Brown adds.
Failure Detection System

of both design and integrity management, based on opera- “For the first time, the JIP has introduced a method to evalu-
tional experience. ate the extent of combined wear and corrosion affecting

44 energıze

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 GL Noble Denton FPSO Achievements
GL Noble Denton has been involved
with more than 100 mobile off-
shore production units since the
first FPSO unit ever built, Petrojarl 1
in 1984, including more than 15
newbuilding projects, 20 conver-
sions and 65 studies. With experts
on hull, structural, mooring, turret
and marine systems, living quarters,
and safety and utility modules, GL
Noble Denton takes on all phases
of the project from conceptual
and front-end engineering design
to detail design, site management
and asset integrity management.

chains over time, based on the predicted motion of the ac-
tual floating structure,” says the FPSO expert. This “Comley”
model (named after the project engineer) allows a more ac-
curate assessment to be made of the accumulated effects
of wear and corrosion. It is important to be able to evaluate
the loss of steel, since this will influence when a mooring
is no longer fit for purpose. “Some mooring systems are
designed for 25 years or more of continuous opera-
says Brown. Nevertheless, detecting failures, particularly for
existing units with internal turrets, represents a major chal-
lenge. More field testing is required to come up MIC.
with improved and reliable designs. Microbiologically
An investigation has been carried out into influenced corrosion
on mooring
the phenomenon of microbiologically influ- components can
enced corrosion (MIC) on mooring components, be a problem for
which can accelerate local corrosion signifi- operators.

tion. This is a tough challenge for any mechanical cantly. For the first time, it has been shown that MIC can
system,” says Brown. be an issue, but much more data is needed to define
More and more FPSO operators are realizing the extent of the problem; operators need to be
the commercial and safety benefits of a mooring
line failure detection system which helps to assess
whether all mooring lines are properly intact at Growth. In 2009 about
Photo: Dreamstime

any given time. The project reviewed the state of 130 FPSO units were
operating worldwide
the art in line failure detection systems. “The sta-
– and many more are
tus and maturity of the technology has improved,” planned.

02/2010 45

044 MooringIntegrity-fhHSol_e2_AKolfhgmolfh.indd 45 01.10.10 14:21

 c o n s u l t i ng fp s o
OTC. Members of the
Mooring Integrity
Session at the Offshore
Technology Conference
in Houston.

more prepared to share data. The project has pro-

duced guidance on selecting optimal materials for long-
term mooring components, accounting for hardness, sur-
face properties, chemical composition and microstructure.
In addition, mooring system inspection guidance has been
developed for non-mooring specialists, enabling them to
glean as much insight as possible from remotely operated
vehicle (ROV) inspection videos.
There is a vast array of ROVs available for survey work.
Selecting the right type for a particular survey is a complex
task that not only needs to consider the scope of work

SERVICE. but also the general availability of ROVs and
A guidance the suitability of the vessel used to deploy the
document on ROV. Smaller ROVs can now be launched over
monitoring and
recording systems the side of the actual FPSO unit itself, and some
helps to maximize are now sufficiently powerful to clean off ma-
the benefit of rine growth. This can help reduce the cost of
recording data.
inspection operations significantly. The guid-
ance document includes specifications for lights and cam-
eras, which can influence the quality of the recorded im-
ages considerably.
A guidance document on monitoring and recording sys-
tems produced by the project assists operators by maximiz-
ing the benefit gained from recording data. This data helps
to improve mooring response prediction tools, which still
need to be improved. Monitoring campaigns offer verifica-
tion of design and analysis assumptions, correlation of fa-
tigue analyses plus instantaneous and continuous integrity
monitoring. “The most important message is probably to
plan what you intend to do with the data beforehand and
then to follow through with the process so that maximum
benefit can be obtained from the data,” JIP project man-
ager Brown sums it up. “Collecting data without interpreta-
tion and checking for trends is a wasted opportunity. Thor-
ough examination allows potential issues to be detected
early before they develop into very expensive problems.”
Brown continues: “The JIP has demonstrated that
through close collaboration between all sides of the supply
chain it is possible to accelerate the mooring integrity learn-

The 25th FPSO Research Forum

GL Noble Denton will host the 25th
FPSO Research Forum in Aberdeen,
UK in October. More than 150 ex-
perts will meet for the four-day
conference, which will include a
number of “Joint Industry Project”
(JIP) Steering Committee meet- tackle these issues for the com-
ings. The mission of the forum is mon good of the industry. As a
to identify the common techni- public event, the FPSO Forum on
cal issues facing those involved Wednesday, 13 October will discuss
in designing, fabricating and op- “Human, System and Ageing
erating FPSOs and to foster JIPs to Effects on FPSO Integrity”.

46 energıze

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 Photo: Film-Ocean
Inspection.
Remotely operated
vehicles are in use for
failure detection.

ing process and, at the same time, tackle areas of key expo-
sure, such as mooring line failure detection and MIC. Our
work on improving inspection strategies for mooring systems
should help to identify anomalies before they get a chance
to become safety-critical”.
Summary of Findings
This JIP has attracted the support of 38 organizations. GL
Noble Denton runs the present JIP and reports to a steering
proceedings, was written by Martin G. Brown, Andrew P.
Comley and Morten Eriksen from GL Noble Denton, as well
as Ian Williams, Wood Group Engineering (North Sea) Ltd;
Philip Smedley, BP Exploration Operating Company Limit-
ed and Subir Bhattacharjee, ExxonMobil Production Engi-
neering. Phase 1 of the mooring integrity JIP highlighted a
number of important mooring integrity challenges for the
offshore industry. Phase 2 was launched to address these
challenges. A third JIP phase is in the planning stage. MB

committee made up of world experts including operators,

regulatory authorities, classification societies, designers GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERT:
Martin Brown
and manufacturers plus service and inspection companies.
Consultant Naval Architect
The full paper, titled “Phase 2 Mooring Integrity JIP - Phone: +44 1224 289 108
Summary of Findings”, which is part of the OTC conference E-Mail: martin.brown@nobledenton.com

Contents of the Summary Paper

Definition of a practical method to estimate wear/cor-
rosion based on calibration using field measurements
Feedback on the break testing of worn components
The influence of proof load on fatigue endurance
Photo: Dreamstime
Review of the effects of Microbiologically Influenced
Corrosion (MIC)
Guidance on how to monitor station-keeping perfor-
mance and what to do with the data received

Material compatibility guidance Summary of mooring line failure detection options

Inspection guidance for ROV operators www.gl-nobledenton.com

02/2010 47

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 c o n s u l t i ng d u e d i l i g e n c e
Drilling Rig. Emerging markets need energy to fuel their growth, driving developments both onshore and offshore.
Technical due diligence is a process carried
out by independent, third-party experts to
identify, mitigate and control technical risks
throughout a project, from its concept to completion.
During the Beijing workshop, which was chaired by Dav-
id Rowan, Managing Director Execution Services at GL
Noble Denton, senior GL Noble Denton executives and
senior executives from West LB and Standard Chartered
Bank provided in-depth information on the subject. The
workshop was attended by over 40 representatives from
leading Chinese banks, financial institutions, energy
companies and the media.
“Currently the offshore industry is a very healthy area
to do business in,” said David Rowan. Countries like Brazil,
48
048 DueDilligence-fhHSfhfhgmfh.indd 48
Photo: BP
Russia, India and China need energy to fuel their growth,
driving developments both onshore and offshore. Rising oil
prices further boost this trend. Rowan said the recovery
from the global recession will free up capital for project
funding.
The Offshore Promise
“There has been a huge boom in the construction of jack-up
rigs around the world, and there is a continuing need to
replace retired units,” said David Rowan, assessing the po-
tential for the offshore exploration market. As the offshore
industry goes into deep water, semi-submersibles and drill
ships will be needed for exploration and development. An-
other factor is offshore renewable energy, such as wind
energıze
01.10.10 14:21
 The Confidence Builders
Technical due diligence is indispensable for project financing, especially for offshore
projects that are technically sophisticated. In a joint one-day workshop in Beijing
on 27 April, GL Noble Denton, West LB and Standard Chartered Bank explained keys
for for successful project financing

farms, where specialized installation and maintenance Finance, West LB AG, said that the biggest part of the capi-
ships are needed. tal is raised in the form of debt or construction loans from
banks. “Typically you can raise up to 80% of the project
Project Finance cost in debt,” he said. Equity accounts
Project finance is a method of raising long-term debt for 10% to 30% in typical deals. ABSTrACT
financing for major projects, based on lending against the Hertel continued that a project The financing of major off-
shore projects is big business
cash flows generated by the project alone. “It is tied to a budget needs to be mapped out care-
GL Noble Denton provides
specific asset whose repayment source comes from its cash fully before approaching the financial project structure reviews,
flow,” explained Paul Clifford, Director and Head of Project markets. “The crucial role of the inde- yard audits, design, speci-
fication reviews and execu-
Finance, Standard Chartered Bank. “In 2009, almost 300 pendent engineer during the due-dili- tion plan reviews and other
billion US dollars of project finance capital was raised gence phase is to demonstrate that the due diligence services

globally across about 700 different transactions.” assumptions underlying the proposed
Photo: BP

In his presentation on capital structures for project fi- project are conservative and feasible and will support the
nance, Claus Hertel, Executive Director – Energy Structured budget,” said Hertel.

Offshore Trends
According to Claus Hertel, West LB AG, ence in the marine and offshore industry,
offshore oil production has increased expects A 40% INCreASe IN offShore
by 22% and GAS proDuCTIoN By 55% rIG DemAND over the next five years.
since 2000. Floating Production and Storage Units
Annual offShore expLorATIoN AND (FPSO) have experienced mASSIve
proDuCTIoN expenditure is expected GroWTh over The LAST TeN yeArS ,
to increase from 250 billion US$ in 2007 with more growth predicted. Five large Growth. A great
number of new
to over 350 billion US$ in 2012. projects are to be initiated this year, and
FPSOs will be
GL Noble Denton’s David Rowan, an in- up to 75 new FPSOs will be needed over
needed over the
dustry veteran with over 40 years experi- the next five years. next years.

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048 DueDilligence-fhHSfhfhgmfh.indd 49 01.10.10 14:22

 c o n s u l t i ng d u e d i l i g e n c e

Podium. Expert
David Rowan
(l.) at the Off-
shore Industry
Technical Due
Diligence
Workshop at
the Raffles
Beijing Hotel
close to the
Forbidden City.

Paul Clifford of Standard Chartered Bank addressed given purpose and their conformance with contract require-
a different aspect of the due-diligence process. “The due ments. In addition, the IE assesses the technical expertise of
diligence requirements serve to assure that the project can the proposed shipyard.
be completed on time and on schedule, will operate as In the second phase, independent engineers monitor
expected and will generate cash flow as projected,” he the ongoing works at the shipyard, preparing progress re-
said. A thorough feasibility study and a reasonable allo- ports based on site visits and document reviews. Once the
cation of the project risks are keys for successful project equipment is in operation, the independent engineers verify
financing, he added, listing five risk areas for whether it performs properly and lives up to expectations.
Due DILIGeNCe.
GL Noble Denton project finance: construction and completion
supports clients in risks, project contract risks, operational risks,
their assessment of
legal, social and environmental risks, and finan-
technical and Platform.
commercial risks of cial and commercial risks.
Large-scale
major oil and gas projects need
projects on- and Independence Is Key sound
offshore. financing.
“Project finance typically requires assessment by
an Independent Engineer (IE) or Technical Advisor (TA) as
an inherent requirement of the funding,” said David Row-
an. The independent engineer works under the direction of
the lender but keeps in close contact with the owner. His
work is subdivided into two main phases: due diligence
and monitoring.
Photo: Gazprom

The due diligence phase takes place once the project

has been set up and structured. The independent engineer
scrutinizes the design of specific units, their fitness for the

50 energıze

048 DueDilligence-fhHSfhfhgmfh.indd 50 01.10.10 14:22

 The key requirement for all technical due diligence
work is independence and impartiality. Rowan said that his
creed has always been: “We have to say what we believe
to be the truth.”
John Tate and Paul Braden, two Directors of Technical
Due Diligence at GL Noble Denton, went into further detail
concerning the work of independent engineers. Mr Tate
discussed project planning and research in view of mar-
ket fundamentals, technology, project execution philosophy,
planning, initial risk and cost control. He also addressed
items an independent engineer must review in a shipyard
audit, such as shipyard capabilities, management issues,
yard facilities, production control, quality assurance, secu-
rity, etc. Mr Braden elaborated on three financial criteria
an independent engineer must keep in mind: revenue gen-
eration, costs and financial performance. In two additional
presentations, Braden discussed design issues in technical
due diligence as well as items to consider when reviewing
shipyard and charter contracts.
Promising Chinese Market
The offshore industry in China is relatively young, but its
potential for growth is tremendous. Chinese shipyards
Project Finance
Project finance is a method of raising long-term
debt financing for major projects, based on LeND-
ING AGAINST The CASh fLoWS generated by the
project.
Project finance is not a new concept. In the 19th
Century, the English road system and numerous rail-
way, water, gas and electricity projects were funded
uSING prIvATe SeCTor moNey .
Finance for natural resources projects, from which
many modern project finance techniques are drawn,
02/2010
048 DueDilligence-fhHSfhfhgmfh.indd 51
are investing heavily in offshore development, and Chi-
nese yards have displayed increasing competence in semi-
submersible and drill ship construction. Rowan belives ten
years from now China may take the lead in this area. On
the other hand, there may be overcapacities, in which case
a qualified independent engineer can help lenders and
owners identify the best contractors.
GL Noble Denton has facilitated the financing of several
projects launched in China, drawing on its offshore exper-
tise. For example, GL Noble Denton provides project struc-
ture reviews, yard audits, design reviews, specification re-
views, execution plan reviews, milestone confirmations, and
other due diligence services for the construction of several
drillships and semi-submersibles in Yantai.
The workshop was wrapped up by David Rowan who
conveyed the essence of technical due diligence by quoting
Ronald Reagan as saying “You hope for the best, but you
plan for the worst”. zL
GL NOBLE DENTON ExPERT:
David rowan
managing Director execution Services
phone: +713 5434319,
e-mail: david.rowan@gl-group.com
developed in the Texas oilfields in the 1930’s, and
later in the DeveLopmeNT of NorTh SeA fIeLDS
in the 1970’s.
Project finance has accelerated its development over
the past 20 years. In 2009, almost 300 BILLIoN uS
DoLLArS of projeCT fINANCe CApITAL was raised
globally across about 700 different transactions.
Most of the capital raised is used to fund EPC con-
tracts (eNGINeerING, proCuremeNT AND CoN-
STruCTIoN) and Owner Furnished Equipment (OFE).
51
01.10.10 14:22
 c o n s u l t i ng te s ti n g

A World-Class
Facility

GL Noble Denton’s Flow Centre is the

one facility where safety and financial
risk are mitigated in full-flow high-
pressure testing

“When you are standing in front of an attorney

who asks you what steps you have taken to
mitigate the risk of an accident and you can
say ‘Sir, we have taken this equipment to the only facility
on the face of the Earth that can reach the flow rates we
require’, you feel a darn sight more comfortable with your Unique Facility. The Flow Centre is the only vertical test

test programme.” This was the comment from the project rig in the world for full-flow high-pressure gas tests.

manager of a major sub-sea safety valve manufacturer fol-

lowing tests in the slam shut test rig at the GL Noble Den-
ton Flow Centre in County Durham, UK. During the test
work, the valve proved capable of shutting off a gas flow
of 137 metres per second at 55 bar in
abstraCt 3 seconds. This is the highest flow rate
On even higher flows, this deficit will be significantly great-
er – it doesn’t pay to gamble with your gas.
It is an essential requirement that the measurements
taken during a calibration can be traced to international

Manufacturers and op- available world wide for this type of test. standards. The Flow Centre uses several routes to trace-
erators of gas flow meters ability. The reference turbine flow meters used on site are
require calibrations to dem- Uncertainty and Traceability
onstrate that their products sent to Europe each year for calibration against the Inter-
are accurate Manufacturers and operators of gas national High Pressure Volume Flow Standard. In this way
The Flow Centre is the only flow meters require calibrations to dem- the meters are directly traceable to the lowest possible flow
facility for full-flow high-
pressure testing of sub-sea onstrate that their products are accurate uncertainty in the world. Temperature, pressure and electri-
safety valves and that the uncertainty can be quanti- cal calibrations are carried out on-site in the UKAS-accred-
fied. A small discrepancy in the indicat- ited Calibration Laboratory, which holds standards directly
ed flow may mean that significant differences are reported traceable to UK national standards. Using this facility has
between producers and buyers. For instance, an error of eliminated the dependency on external calibration labs and
0.1% on a typical flow of 5,000 actual cubic metres per hour reduced the uncertainty of the secondary instrumentation
(acmh) represents an annual deficit of 1.7 million euros. used on site. Laboratory activities also include a managed

52 energıze

052 Flowcenter Spadeadam-olHSfholgmfh.indd 52 01.10.10 14:22

 Risk Assessment. Pipelines
are exposed to extreme
and potentially hazardous
physical forces.

orifice plate calibration and storage service to clients with a
diverse metering portfolio. Due to its quality and consisten-
cy, the calibration lab is the preferred choice for high-pres-
sure instrument manufacturers who are required to supply
a calibration certificate with their equipment.
Specialist Test Work
With a flexible site layout and experienced technicians, the
Flow Centre is ideally suited to construct test rigs for a vari-
ety of high-pressure tests. In addition to sub-sea safety valve
testing, a sand erosion rig has been developed to test valves
and piping geometry under real-life conditions. With the
higher sand content found in the wells now being exploited,
there is an increased risk to the integrity of pipework and
These effects can be captured in the high-speed data logging
system for analysis and incorporation into future models.
GL will be commissioning an extra bank of VaLIDatION.
reference meters in the autumn to cope with Sand is fed into the
the increased turn-down range of the latest ul- erosion rig in a single
pass which ensures
tra-sonic flow meters. This will ensure that the
that the particles are
site can maintain its position as the leading Eu- not rounded off,
ropean test site for large meters and also allow ensuring that the GL
tests are as close to
the latest generation of sub-sea flow meters to
the operational
be accommodated in a purpose-built test line, scenario as possible.
accessible with large-capacity cranes. This test
line will also be used to calibrate large mass flow meters
required when CO2 metering becomes an important indus-
try requirement. DB

equipment. The effects can be modelled with CFD packages,

but the results need validation to ensure that the parameters
GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERTS:
and assumptions used in the model are correct.
David brown, General Manager spadeadam
Pressure drop trials on filter assemblies and pipework lay- test site & GL Flow Centre
outs can be conducted to endorse design calculations or pro- Phone: +44 1697 749138
E-Mail: david.brown@gl-group.com
vide data for more extensive arrangements. Whilst classical
alistair Milne
calculations and computer simulations are essential to devel-
Project Engineer, GL Flow Centre
op ideas, unexpected effects may occur due to complex fea- Phone: +44 1388 724039
tures or properties which may not be adequately modelled. E-Mail: alistair.milne@gl-group.com

GL Noble Denton Flow Centre

Located near the UK National Grid
Bishop Auckland compressor sta-
tion, the Flow Centre was originally
a test facility for British Gas. The
Flow Centre has been in operation
for over thirty years. Today it is one
of the LEaDING CaLIbratION Lab-
OratOrIEs IN tHE WOrLD , and
the leading European test site for
large flow meters. Its capabilities in-
clude calibration of HIGH-PrEssUrE
Gas FLOW MEtErs and a wide
range of instruments, as well as
tEstING PIPELINE COMPONENts in
real operational conditions. In the
discrete, secure location, high-flow
Experience.
The Flow
Centre has
been in oper-
custody transfer meters are routine-
ation for over
ly calibrated by a team of highly- thirty years.
qualified experts who know how to
CONtrOL tHE EXtrEME aND PO-
tENtIaLLY HaZarDOUs PHYsICaL
FOrCEs at work during these tests.
Testing at the GL Flow Centre helps
the clients to reduce financial risk.

02/2010 53

052 Flowcenter Spadeadam-olHSfholgmfh.indd 53 01.10.10 14:22

 c o n s u l t i ng m o p u

54 energıze

054 Mopu-ol_e2_AKolHSfholfhgmfh.indd 54 01.10.10 14:37

 The MOPUstor (Mobile Offshore Production
Unit and Storage) platform was built by SBM
Offshore, a subsidiary of GustoMSC, at Adyard
in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Completed in May 2010,
the platform weighs 12,500 tonnes. Upon its arrival in Nor-
way, its legs will be fitted at an in-shore location before
the unit will be taken to the offshore well site where it will
lower its legs onto the seafloor and jack itself up above
the water line. The oil from its subsea storage tank will be
transferred to tankers through a submerged loading sys-
tem (SLS).

How to Haul a Colossus

In Egersund Basin in the North Sea, 100 km off the coast of Norway, Talisman En-
ergy is about to install a MOPUstor jack-up platform to develop the YME oil field.
The catch: The unit was built in far-away Abu Dhabi. Experts from GL Noble Denton
made sure the challenging transfer from the yard to the dry-transport ship
went smoothly

The transport of the MOPUstor to its load-out location

and the load-out onto the dry-transport vessel for the voy-
age to Norway were technically very challenging and re-
quired utmost engineering skill. At the yard, the unit was
transferred onto a specially mod-
ABSTrAcT
ified bottom-reaction, semi-sub-
The MOPUstor jack-up platform mersible barge that had been fit-
for the YME oil field off Norway
was built in Abu Dhabi ted with side sponsons forward

The transfer from the yard to the and coupled with a large hinged
sea transport vessel was a major secondary support barge aft to
engineering challenge
partially support the weight of
GL Noble Denton played a key role
the module. With a final floating
in ensuring the safe transfer
Precision Job. displacement of 28,600 tonnes –
Manoeuvring the behe-
the complete unit was 139 me-
moth down Mussafah
Channel was a complex tres long and 85 metres wide at the water line (98 metres
challenge. overall) at a maximum draught of 5,20 metres and

02/2010 55

054 Mopu-ol_e2_AKolHSfholfhgmfh.indd 55 01.10.10 14:37

 c o n s u l t i ng m o p u
with an air draught of 55 metres – this was by far the
largest vessel ever built in Abu Dhabi.
Narrow Channel
SBM Offshore called on the local knowledge and tow-
age expertise of GL Noble Denton’s Abu Dhabi office to
supply two tow masters for the voyage out, prepare a
concise towage manual and look after all marine aspects.
The tow masters faced numerous obstacles and chal-
lenges to complete this operation in a safe and efficient
manner, given the draught and size of the MOPUstor
unit. It was also essential for the unit to clear the Mus-
safah Channel, which is subject to very strong
tidal currents, by nightfall.
The initial, narrow section of the chan-
nel had not been officially surveyed since
1986. A full bathymetric survey, study-
ing the water depths and ocean floors, of
the 18-mile channel was completed to en-
sure accurate and reliable water depth data. It was de-
termined that the transit was tide-bound and could
only be completed safely during certain tidal win-
dows. Any grounding of the barge would have had dis-
56
054 Mopu-ol_e2_AKolHSfholfhgmfh.indd 56
astrous consequences for the integrity of the module.
Furthermore, ongoing dredging operations for the near-
by new Mussafah Channel added to the complexity of
the move because they had a continuously changing lo-
cal effect on tidal time predictions. Tidal gauges were set
up to monitor the change in tidal predictions and ensure
up-to-date data was available to the tow masters. SBM
Offshore gave invaluable support throughout this data
gathering process.
Off to Norway. Excellent sea
and weather conditions
were key requirements for
successful load-out.
Additional complications resulted from ongoing con-
struction work for a new bridge across the channel. Pre-
passage the channel lateral buoys required repositioning,
BAThYMETrIc and coordination and cooperation with the construction
SUrvEY. The contractors and port authorities was needed to ensure that
water depths operations were shut down temporarily for transit. Maxi-
and ocean floors
were analysed to mum clearance through this area at water level was just
ensure accurate 40 metres.
and reliable
For the day of the move the entire channel, which is
data.
critical for the supply of all Abu Dhabi offshore drilling op-
erations as well as various shipyards and EPC contractors,
was closed to all vessel movements to ensure that no traffic
would be encountered during the passage down the Mus-
safah Channel.
energıze
01.10.10 14:37
 The MOPUstor, including all support barges, was to be
loaded out onto the semisubmersible dry-transport vessel
“Mighty Servant 1” for the voyage to Norway. Owned by
Dockwise, Mighty Servant 1 is one of the largest carrying
vessels on the market. The wind and sea conditions would
be critical for open water towage and for the load-out op-
eration. Two separate, independent weather forecasts were
constantly monitored to ensure the stipulated weather cri-
teria would be adhered to. On 12 August 2010 at 06.05
carefully manoeuvred alongside and loaded out onto the
“Mighty Servant 1”. This was reportedly the largest-dimen-
sioned load ever carried on board this ship; its final deck
clearance was less than one metre forward and zero aft
with substantial overhangs either side. The load-out op-
eration took approximately five hours and followed a care-
fully planned procedure. After deballasting for the voyage,
the final MOPUstor transport weight was approximately
23,000 tonnes.

Mighty Servant 1
OWNEr: Dockwise
BUILDEr: Oshima Shipbuilding Co.
Ltd., Oshima, Japan
IMO NUMBEr: 8130875
TONNAGE: gross tonnage (GT) of
29,193 tonnes / 40,910 metric tonnes
deadweight (dwt)
LENGTh: 190.03 m (623.5 ft)/
174.70 m (573.2 ft) b.p.
BEAM: 40 m (130 ft)
DrAUGhT: 4 m (13 ft) (minimum)/
8.77 m (28.8 ft) (sailing)/
26 m (85 ft) (submerged)/
14 m (46 ft) (maximum cargo)
DEPTh: 12 m (39 ft)
DEPTh OF hOLD: 50 x 16 x 7.5 m
[160 x 52 x 25 ft]
hATch: 31 × 14.6 m [102 × 47.9 ft]

a.m., Captain David Wells, assisted by Captain Morvan Le
Dorven, Senior Surveyor from GL Noble Denton, as well as
five towing vessels, manoeuvred the complete unit from
Adyard Mussafah, completed a 180-degree turn and pro-
ceeded down the channel. The wind and tidal conditions
were favourable. The 18-nautical-mile Mussafah Channel
transit was competed in less than 6 hours. The tow was
This project has underlined the versatility of GL Noble
Denton in tackling all aspects of complex offshore opera-
tions and in providing clients with comprehensive expertise,
and thereby, the level of comfort and confidence they need.
The feedback GL Noble Denton received from its clients
speaks for itself: “The operation was a great success and GL
Noble Denton was instrumental in this achievement.” MLD

then taken 20 nautical miles offshore to the “Mighty Ser- NOTE: GL Noble Denton’s sub-contractor Chris Lovett did all the lead-up
vant 1” load-out position. work but he was not able to attend during the tow.

Successful Finale GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERT:

Morvan Le Dorven
At first light the following morning, weather conditions
Marine Operations consultant and Surveyor
were acceptable for the load-out and, after rearrang- Phone: +971 2 44298704653
ing the towing vessel configuration, the MOPUstor was E-Mail: morvan.le-dorven@gl-nobledenton.com

02/2010 57

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 c o n s u l t i ng s h i p c o n v e rs i o n

Elongating of a
Cable Laying Vessel

Starting a new life: The cable laying vessel (CLV)

“Nexans Skagerrak” was recently relaunched after
a successful conversion and upgrade

The CLV “Nexans Skagerrak” was the first

purpose-built ship to be designed specifically
for the transport and installation of submarine
high-voltage cables and umbilicals. There are to date only
two vessels of this kind in the world. The conversion was
initiated by the owner, cable solutions supplier Nexans, to
increase the vessel’s capability to per-
abSTraCT
form more demanding cable and um-
The cable solution supplier
Nexans initiated the con- bilical installation tasks as well as to
version of its CLV “Skager-
provide a service life extension. Ready for Operation. The upgraded “Skagerrak”.
rak” to meet the changing
needs of customers Throughout its life, the vessel has
The owner engaged GL been constantly upgraded and new sys- ment, design and construction follow-up. The scope of the
Noble Denton to manage
the conversion
tems have been added, but this conver- conversion included improved loading condition, enhanced
sion is the largest and most complicat- deck facilities, as well as increased and upgraded accommo-
ed upgrade to date. The available time for the actual con- dation facilities. The loading condition enhancement was
version was limited due to the vessel’s busy schedule, so done by lengthening the vessel by 12.5 metres. The new
three months construction time had to suffice. hull section was prefabricated to save conversion time, and
the Cammel Laird yard Birkenhead, United Kingdom, had
Increasing Capability to prefabricate some 800 tonnes of steel before the vessel
Nexans engaged GL Noble Denton in Sandefjord to manage arrived for the actual conversion work. The work included a
this conversion, who provided a team for project manage- totally reworked global strength as well as stability calcula-

58 energıze

058 Skagerak-olHSgmfh.indd 58 01.10.10 14:22

 Oxmx mxis. GLMillibus. Tin

nam latem eicto doluptae

idunto estenis est quam,

quaes inus et harumqui

Change. An additional
accommodation module
and a new work deck
have been installed.

tions and design of all steel structures for hull strengthen-
ing in addition to the extension plug itself. The upgrade in-
creased the ship’s deadweight from 7,886 to 9,373 tonnes.
After the conversion, the vessel has a perpendicular
length of 112.25 metres. A new 2,000-m work deck was
2
fitted on board to accommodate requirements for increased
storage and to accommodate additional cable
ProjeCT.
The first task for laying equipment. This work also included some
the ”Skagerrak” modifications of existing cable laying equipment,
is laying of
fitting new deck cranes and an upgrade of the
292 km of HVDC
cable for the BP on-deck safety systems, including fitting of two
and facilities that needed to be interfaced during the in-
sertion of the new hull section, as well as the general
challenge to get new and old systems to fit together as
one seamless unit.
The GL Noble Denton team covered all the phases of
this conversion, namely the conceptual design and concept
selection, preparing yard specifications, evaluating a pro-
posed yard, the naval, structural and marine systems design
as well as the safety systems design. GL Noble Denton pro-
vided the yard supervision and was responsible for all class
and as-built documentation. ØT

Valhall Power new lifeboats and lifeboat stations. Domestic This article was first published in “Ship + Offshore” magazine.
from Shore and service areas such as mess room, dayrooms
project in the
and galley were refurbished in addition to an
North Sea.
increased number of single cabins to 60, includ-
ing the fitting of one accommodation module with 17 sin-
gle cabins, which was prefabricated to save conversion time.
GL NObLE DENTON ExpERT:
Coordinating New and Old Systems Øyvind Thoresen
engineering Manager
The work performed was reported to be complex both Phone: +47 33 447051
due to the limited time and the large amount of systems e-Mail: oyvind.thoresen@nobledenton.com

02/2010 59

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 o ro
a i l &ugnads xt xhxex xwo
x xrl
x xdx x x x x x x x x
projects in brief
Nord Stream Gas for Europe
baltic sea Pipe-laying operations for the
Nord Stream subsea gas pipeline project,
which will connect Russia and the European
Union via the Baltic Sea, have begun re-
cently. The 1,220-km pipeline will be capa-
ble of supplying enough gas for 26 million
households in Europe. GL Noble Denton,
Department Plant and Pipelines in Ham-
burg has been tasked to conduct various
safety studies to ensure optimal pipeline
routing and maximum safety, including:
study of potential interference with ship-
ping, evaluating the probabilities of acci-
dents in close vicinity of the pipeline route;
assessment of potential emergency an-
choring and grounding near the pipeline;
investigation on the optimal burial
depth of the pipelines inside the Greifs-
walder Bodden up to the border of the
German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Epibenthos. The research vehicle is now
ready for deployment.
60
060 Projects-fhplfhgmfh.indd 60
Solitaire. The tubes
will be welded aboard
the pipelay vessel.
to maintain ease and safety of shipping;
assessment of possible interference with
a planned offshore wind farm in the
“Adlergrund” area;
evaluation of military training areas in
the course of the pipeline routing;
study of the draught of shipping traffic
in the German EEZ and the risk of po-
tential interference with the pipeline.
Oktopus Know-how to Investigate Deep Sea Areas
germany GL’s Pressure Vessels and Under-
water Technology department has recently
certified a research vehicle for deep sea
use up to 6,000 metres. The epibenthos
sledge, built by Oktopus GmbH, Kiel, Ger-
many, consists of a towed steel frame
equipped with searchlights, a camcorder, a
pressure-compensated battery as well as
testing equipment. The epibenthos sledge
is now ready for deployment on deep sea
floor exploration missions.
The Greek word “epibenthos” is a sci-
entific term used for animals that live on or
immediately above the seafloor. Some are
attached to the substrate, others are mo-
bile. Examples are sponges, corals or star-
fish. The epibenthos sledge was examined
Photo: Nord Stream AG
These studies have been of particular
importance since the Baltic is a relatively
shallow, highly sedimented, largely en-
closed sea. All parties involved are work-
ing hard to assure that the Nord Stream
pipeline, which is due to come fully on line
in 2012, will not inflict any further envi-
ronmental harm on the Baltic or interfere
with ship traffic.
and tested by technical experts from the
Pressure Vessels and Underwater Technol-
ogy department according to the new re-
vised GL Rules for Underwater Technology,
Chapter 3, Unmanned Submersibles (ROV,
AUV) and Underwater Working Machines.
The rapid increase in worldwide ener-
gy demand has been driving the explora-
tion of new deep-sea energy resources
such as gas hydrates, oil and gas. The in-
vestigation of deep sea areas in general
and the exploration and mining of energy
resources in particular require special
know-how. The GL team for pressure ves-
sels and underwater technology specializes
in ensuring safe and reliable underwater
systems.
energıze
01.10.10 15:41

GLGH Research Report Marks
Growth in Europe
europe GL Garrad Hassan has released a
new edition of their “Offshore Wind Energy
Market Report”. It shows that concerns over
energy security, climate change and ambi-
tious European renewable energy targets
have led to an improved regulatory frame-
work, and increased industry action in Euro-
pean markets. Despite activities in other
regions, the European offshore wind mar-
ket is likely to outpace the rest of the world
for some years to come, mainly because of
improved support mechanisms in the main
offshore markets identified. The new report
provides detailed information on market
status, drivers and barriers, as well as a
regulatory framework and industry outlook.
In addition, it includes exclusive in-house
wind resource maps that utilize GL Garrad
Hassan’s real project experience.
BEP GL Noble Denton Software Selected for Bunde-Etzel Pipeline Project
germany The pipeline management sys-
tem for the Bunde-Etzel Pipeline (BEP) in
Western Europe will be provided by GL
Noble Denton. The BEP project involves the
connection of a 48" pipeline from gas
storage facilities, which are currently under
development in Etzel, Germany, to the Gas
02/2010
060 Projects-fhplfhgmfh.indd 61
Illustration: British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Ltd.
London Array Service Contract for
630-MW Phase
London
england London Array will be the
ArrAy
world’s largest offshore wind farm when
fully complete. Located around 20 km off
the British coasts of Kent and Essex, off-
shore construction on the first 630-MW
phase of the project is due to start early
next year. During the offshore installation
river
ThAmes
of the 175 turbines for phase one, GL 30 km
Noble Denton will confirm that technical
Offshore Installation. London Array
risks are kept within acceptable levels.
will serve 475,500 homes.
The technical service provider to the
energy industries has been contracted by of CO2 each year. “The transportation and
London Array Ltd to perform Marine War- installation of huge, awkwardly shaped
ranty Survey services for the first phase of structures offshore involve risks that can
the project. The first 630-MW phase is only be mitigated by adhering to codes
scheduled for completion by the end of and standards,” says Gabor Bohner, who
2012. With its capacity it will generate heads GL Noble Denton’s Marine Opera-
enough energy to supply around 475,500 tions and Marine Warranty Survey
homes and displace over a million tonnes department in Hamburg.
Transport Services (GTS) entry point/exit ment system will use its industry-leading gas
point at Oude Statenzijl, which is part of modelling software, Stoner Pipeline Simula-
the gas transportation system of GTS in the tor (SPS), to provide advanced functionality
Netherlands. This pipeline, covering a dis- for the safe and efficient operation of the
tance of 60 km, will become a major source pipeline. This includes real-time leak detec-
of natural gas for Western Europe. tion and location, as well as predictive appli-
GL Noble Denton’s pipeline manage- cations to support pipeline operations. The
system will be integrated into IT company
Photos: Bunde-Etzel-Pipelinegesellschaft
Telvent’s supervisory control and data acqui-
sition (SCADA) system to provide a complete
control system for the pipeline that will
optimize security and operations as well as
help assure reliable supply.
Construction. The pipeline connects the
cavern facility in Etzel to the natural gas
grid in Oude Statenzijl in the Netherlands.
61
01.10.10 15:41
 service
dates & rules
Conferences & Fairs
OCTOBER
11. – 13.10.2010
TEAM Europe 2010
Edinburgh, UK
12. – 13.10.2010
MTS Society Dynamic
Positioning Conference
Houston, Texas, USA
GL Noble Denton: booth 20
13.10.2010
25th FPSO Research Forum
Aberdeen, UK
26. – 29.10.2010
28th North Sea Flow
Measurement Workshop
St Andrews, UK
NOVEMBER
01. – 04.11.2010
ADIPEC 2010
Abu Dhabi, UAE
GL Noble Denton: booth 11430
23. – 24.11.2010
International Marine
Contractors Association
(IMCA) Annual Seminar
Dubai, UAE
23. – 25.11.2010
Asset Integrity
Management 2010
Aberdeen, UK
30.11. – 03.12.2010
OSEA 2010
Suntec, Singapore
62
062 Messen-fhHSfhgmfh.indd 62
IMPRINT
energize oil & gas, issue No. 02/2010,
October 2010 Frequency energize oil & gas
is published twice a year Published by
Germanischer Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft,
Hamburg Editorial Director Dr Olaf
Mager (OM), Corporate Communications
Managing Editor Stefanie Normann-
Edinburgh. Scotland’s
Birkholz (SNB) Authors of this issue Lea
capital with a fine tradition.
Behnsen (LB), David Brown (DB), Martin
Brown (MB), Karsten Hagenah (KH), Joe
Hughes (JH), Jörn Iken (JI), Morvan Le
Houston. The city of the Dorven (MLD), Zhang Li (ZL), Toby Miles
(TM), Stefanie Normann-Birkholz (SNB),
US oil and gas industry.
Richard Palmer (RP), Uwe Supke (US),
Felix Weise (FW), Andrew Wilde (AW)
Cover photo iStockphoto Design and
Aberdeen. The so-called production printprojekt, Schulterblatt
“oil capital of Europe”. 58, D-20357 Hamburg Layout Oliver
Lohrengel Translations Andreas Kühner
Prepress Fire Department Printed by
Media Cologne Kommunikationsmedien
St Andrews. Location of
GmbH, Luxemburger Straße 96, D-50354
Scotland’s first university.
Hürth Reprint © Germanischer Lloyd
Photos: AngMoKio, Jjhake, Urban, Nicolai Schäfer, Iardo, Hussain Al-Ahmed, Dave Wheeler
Aktiengesellschaft 2010. Reprinting
permitted on explicit request – copy
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Abu Dhabi. The capital of best of our knowledge. Contributions by
the United Arab Emirates. external authors do not necessarily reflect
the views of the editors or of Germanischer
Lloyd Enquiries to: Germanischer
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energıze
01.10.10 14:23
Energise advert 2:Layout 1 23/09/2010 16:51 Page 1

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