Cost reductions through converting platforms from permanently manned to manned-evacuated

Abstract

Most platforms in Australia and the North Sea were originally designed to be permanently manned facilities. As long-term predictions of extreme weather events have intensified, it has become challenging to demonstrate acceptable life safety levels. Extreme weather events have been an ongoing area of development. With an increasing database of information and potential climate change effects, the intensity of the environmental conditions for even recently installed facilities have increased significantly. The Gulf of Mexico estimate of environmental loading has increased 63% in the past 15 years alone, with similar increases in all other regions. To continue to operate these facilities as permanently manned while maintaining the original design safety level requires extensive strengthening. In cases assessed, associated costs have been shown to easily exceed US$100 million. With the advancements in forecasting, facilities now have adequate information available to ensure a facility is evacuated, shut in or both before any major risk to the safety of the personnel and environment is intolerable. The platform response to a forecast can be referred to as a severe weather action plan (SWAP). These can be shown to be a more cost-effective means than strengthening the asset, and most assets may only require evacuation or shut-in once in their lifetime. The benefits of a manned-evacuated platform also extend to new platforms where the cost of the jacket or hull can be reduced to achieve a target risk level provided a SWAP is in place.