API issues offshore operations integrity management standards

The American Petroleum Institute published three new integrity management (IM) standards on Sept. 10 to assure continued reliable and efficient operation of offshore floating production platforms, including facilities designed to produce crude oil and natural gas as well as export LNG.

It said the new standards can assist a company in developing, evaluating, planning, and implementing an IM program for offshore components and floating facilities that are not attached to the seafloor as conventional oil and gas platforms are. Some of these floating facilities resemble large ships, barges, and tanker vessels, API noted.

The new IM standards are outlined in a series of three recommended practices that address key structures at offshore oil and gas facilities, it said.

• Recommended Practice 2MIM, Mooring IM, addresses the mooring components that secure a facility to the seafloor.

• Recommended Practice 2RIM, IM of Risers from Floating Production Systems, addresses the riser components that connect the facility to the wells on the seafloor.

• Recommended Practice 2FSIM, Floating Systems IM, addresses the many features of a floating facility, which is inclusive of the mooring and riser systems, and enables better overall performance of the facility.

The new IM standards also offer a company the flexibility of being able to integrate an IM program to an offshore facility’s unique circumstances, API said. It announced that a workshop will be held Nov. 5 at the University of New Orleans in Louisiana to address how IM standards are intended to apply to regulatory issues. A second workshop will follow on Nov. 7 at the Lone Star College in Houston to address how IM standards are intended to apply to engineering practices.

Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].