Ken Richardson News

ABS announced it has issued the first “Concept Verified” Statement of Maturity to Stress Engineering Services (Stress) for its riser CBM program using Real Time Fatigue Monitoring System (RFMS) with Subsea Vibration Data Logger (SVDL) technology, and to LaserStream, LP (LaserStream) for its Bore Erosion Measurement and Inspection System (BEMIS).This is the second of five technology qualification stages to be completed by Stress and LaserStream for new technology that supports structural integrity evaluation and maintenance assessments of drilling risers.Successful completion of the “Concept Verified” stage follows requirements outlined…

South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has received an Approval in Principle (AIP) for its floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) hull design from classification society ABS. “As the offshore industry strives to design more cost-effective production units, ABS remains committed to evaluating novel designs that meet our class standards,” says ABS Executive Vice President, Global Offshore Ken Richardson. “The Newbuilding Conversion FPSO hull design can be built for about half the cost as compared to a conventional FPSO hull,” says Jae-Eul Kim, HHI Senior Vice President, Shipbuilding Division. ABS and HHI worked together with the objective of developing a technically feasible and class compliant FPSO hull design…

ABS, the leading provider of classification and technical services to the global offshore industry, granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. (DSIC) for its Self-Elevating Unit Design (DSLB150), in accordance with the applicable requirements of ABS Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units 2017. The unit also meets IMO Resolution A.1023 (26) “Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 2009”. “Novel designs that drive efficiency play a key role in the offshore sector, and ABS is working with industry to safely implement these vital advancements,” says ABS Executive Vice President for Global Offshore Ken Richardson.

ABS has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) hull design. ABS and HHI collaborated with the objective of developing a technically feasible and class compliant FLNG hull design, using the latest industry trends while maintaining high safety standards. The ABS AIP demonstrates the design substantially complies with Class and Regulatory requirements and minimizes risk to project schedules and safe operations, giving regulatory agencies and other key stakeholders confidence in the design. “ABS has a strong history of collaborating with the offshore industry to evaluate novel designs that enable industry efficiency,” says ABS Executive Vice President, Global Offshore Ken Richardson.

ABS signed an agreement with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. (DSME) to support safety and apply class guidance to a conceptual Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) unit. “We are pleased to sign this agreement and work with DSME to support new innovations and technology advancements in the offshore industry,” says ABS Executive Vice President of Global Offshore Ken Richardson. “As gas continues to play an increasingly important role in the global energy mix and industry looks to develop new resources, ABS remains committed to its mission of advancing safety,” Ken added. The project is planned to commence at the end of May and have a duration of twelve months.

ABS is working with industry to improve efficiencies in offshore development. “ABS is working on multiple fronts to help the offshore industry find efficiencies and streamline operations,” says ABS Executive Vice President for Global Offshore Ken Richardson. “We are coordinating efforts for standardization and working one-on-one with companies that are changing the way offshore projects are executed,” he added. Recent work with Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. on the company’s Floating Factory drillship concept is an example of how ABS is working with drilling contractors, in this case, approving the basic design for this innovative concept.

ABS has provided a systematic approach to dropped object management and prevention. The new ABS Guide for Dropped Object Prevention for Offshore Units and Installations includes a program of requirements and best practices to protect assets, personnel and working environments from dropped object incidents. “Dropped objects are one of the leading causes of fatalities and serious injuries in the offshore oil and gas industry,” says ABS Executive Vice President for Global Offshore Ken Richardson. “Our new guide will help companies develop effective dropped object prevention programs, reducing dropped object incidents by identifying potential problems, mitigating risks, providing employee training and using lessons learned for continued improvement,” Ken added.

ABS, the leading provider of classification and technical services to the offshore industry, collaborated with industry experts during its annual Special Committee Meeting held recently to discuss the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs), with the goal of assuring that Rule requirements align with industry needs. “Our leadership position in the offshore sector is based on the ability to provide exceptional guidance and services,” says ABS Executive Vice President of Global Offshore Ken Richardson. More than 50 participants, including delegates from major owners, designers, shipyards and technical representatives from ABS, provided input at the Special Committee Meeting that will be used to refine ABS Rules.

Baoham Offshore (HK) Ltd. has selected ABS to provide classification services for newbuilds in China. ABS, a provider of marine and offshore classification services, has been selected by Baoham Offshore (HK) Ltd. to class a drilling semisubmersible and a liftboat. "This award is a reflection of the solid reputation ABS has built as a classification society over more than 30 years in China," said ABS Executive Vice President of Energy Project Development Ken Richardson. According to Baoham Offshore General Manager Xu Jun, the company's goal is to be a first mover in China.

ABS Executive Vice President of Corporate Energy Development Ken Richardson says managing Big Data is critical to the future of offshore. (Singapore) ABS, the leading provider of classification services to the global marine and offshore industries, is participating in the Sea Asia conference 21-23 April 2015 in Singapore, where ABS Executive Vice President of Corporate Energy Development Ken Richardson is moderating the offshore marine forum. While there are many challenges being faced by the offshore sector, Richardson says, one of the most interesting is how the industry will address the challenge of Big Data. “Big data has the potential to be transformational, which means it has to be a priority,” he says.

ABS  has awarded approval in principle (AIP) for Hyundai Heavy Industries' next-generation HD12000 heavy duty, wide beam drillship design. The drillship, which can accommodate a 20,000-psi blowout preventer system, has been designed in full compliance with the ABS Guide for the Classification of Drilling Systems (CDS Guide) and other applicable ABS Rules and industry standards. The HD12000 drillship will be capable of operating in 12,000 ft (3,658 m) water depth with a drilling depth to 40,000 ft (12,192 m).

Innovative LNG fueled drillship project will promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in offshore operations. ABS, a provider of classification services to the global offshore industry, has entered into a joint development project (JDP) with South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) to develop the industry's first LNG fueled drillship. The JDP will address challenges associated with storing and managing cryogenic LNG safely by combining DSME's experience developing and applying LNG technology to floating structures with ABS' technical standards and experience working on a number of gas-fueled, LNG and regasification unit projects.

ABS, a leading provider of classification services to the global offshore industry,releases the 'ABS Guide for Dynamic Positioning Systems'. The publication is seen as a significant update to present classification requirements to reflect industry advancements in the use of dynamic positioning (DP) systems. “The use of DP systems has been expanded not only in terms of the number of vessels outfitted with the systems, but also in the increasing advancement of DP technologies,” says Vice President, Energy Project Development, Ken Richardson, noting that the vast majority of newbuild floating mobile offshore drilling units will have DP capability.

ABS is currently involved with the review of or being considered for the selected class society for several Floating LNG (FLNG) and Floating Storage and Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) concepts. “We’ve been approached by leading energy operators to help them evolve gas technology that has typically been developed for land-based facilities,” said Ken Richardson, ABS Vice President Energy Project Development. Richardson pointed out that the recent increases in the size of LNG carriers may create commercial challenges for the continued flexible operation of some of the existing LNG carriers. “LNG carriers are some of the best maintained vessels that can be found,” Richardson pointed out. “Strict maintenance regimes mean these ships may have many years of serviceable life ahead of them.