Section
1 Conditions for classification
1.1 Application
1.1.1 The Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore
Units (hereinafter referred to as the Rules for Offshore Units) are
applicable to units engaged in offshore operations including drilling, oil/gas
production and storage, accommodation and other support functions and which
generally operate within the territorial waters of a Coastal State Authority but
excluding the ship types defined in Part 4 of the Rules and Regulations for the
Classification of Ships.
1.1.2 An offshore unit may be assigned one of the two following class
notations:
OI
This notation is applicable to floating offshore installations that
operate at a fixed geographic location for their entire service life, see
Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.2 Floating offshore installations at a fixed location.
The following asset types are covered by the OI notation:
- column-stabilised semi-submersible floating production units
(FPU);
- self-elevating (jack-up) production units;
- jack up accommodation
- crude oil floating production, storage and offloading ship and
barge type units;
- crude oil floating storage and offloading ship and barge type
units;
- liquefied gas floating production and storage ship and barge
type units;
- liquefied gas floating storage ship and barge type units;
- tension leg units;
- deep draught caisson units;
- buoys;
- floating offshore sea-water desalination units.
OU
This notation is applicable to mobile offshore units that operate at and
transit between different locations, see
Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.3 Mobile offshore units.
The following asset types are covered by the OU notation:
- column-stabilised semi-submersible units (mobile offshore
drilling units, heavy lift vessels, pipe-laying units, accommodation units
and diving support vessels);
- self-elevating (jack-up) mobile offshore drilling units;
- surface type units (drill ships, twin-hull heavy lift vessels
and pipe-laying units);
- wind turbine installation vessels;
- tender barge.
The following Parts, Chapters and Sections are only applicable to
floating offshore installations at a fixed location:
1.1.3 The following Parts, Chapters and Sections are only applicable to mobile
offshore units:
1.1.4 The basic Lloyd’s Register (LR) class notation for an installation would
normally include:
- Description of the installation, facilities provided and field
location.
- Structure and marine systems.
- Positional mooring system.
- Propulsion (where applicable).
1.1.5 The notation PPF (Process Plant Facility) can be assigned to process
facilities on production and oil storage units – see
Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.4 Class notations (hull/structure) 2.4.13. These process facilities will be installed
on a unit with a LR classed hull, classed marine systems and a classed mooring
system.
1.1.6 If the process facilities are not requested to be classed (no PPF
notation), classification of the unit will be subject to alternative applicable
international Codes and Standards considered by LR as an equivalent level of safety
to Rule requirements. These process facilities will be installed on a unit with a LR
classed hull, classed marine systems and a classed mooring system.
1.1.7 Whether the PPF notation is assigned or not, the process facilities will
require to be surveyed or verified throughout the unit’s service life to maintain
classification.
- The process plant facilities include the equipment, supporting
structure and systems used for oil and gas production.
1.1.8 As an option, the Owner may request that LR consider performance
standards determined by risk assessment as the basis for design, construction, and
inspection/ maintenance. Guidelines for classification of an offshore installation
using risk assessment to determine performance standards are provided in Pt 1, Ch 5 Guidelines for Classification using Risk Assessment Techniques to Determine Performance Standards. Definitions of risk assessment terms are also given in
Chapter 5. Performance standards determined by risk assessment may be accepted by LR
as the alternative basis for classification, provided that:
Where a Formal Safety Assessment or Safety Case is prepared as a
requirement of a National Administration or of the Owner, the Owner may request that
LR consider the results as a basis for determining the performance standards to be
used for classification. In such cases, the Formal Safety Assessment or Safety Case
will be reviewed by LR to confirm that it considers all hazards to the safety and
integrity of the installation which are relevant to classification. The Guidelines
in Pt 1, Ch 5 Guidelines for Classification using Risk Assessment Techniques to Determine Performance Standards will then apply.
1.2 Floating offshore installations at a fixed
location
1.2.1 Floating offshore installations at a fixed location will be assigned the
class notation OI.
1.2.2 LR classed tankers being converted for service as a floating offshore
installation at a fixed location in accordance with the requirements of these Rules
will be eligible for class notation OI. Special consideration will be given
to the class notation assigned when the tanker to be converted is not classed with
LR, see also Pt 10 Ship Units.
1.3 Mobile offshore units
1.3.1 Mobile offshore units will be assigned the class notation OU.
1.3.2 The adequacy of sea bed conditions with respect to bearing capacity,
resistance to possible sliding and anchor holding capacity is not covered by
classification. In particular, for self-elevating units, it is the responsibility of
the Owner to be satisfied that the sea bed conditions are suitable to allow the legs
to be safely and adequately preloaded.
1.3.3 It is the Owner’s responsibility to comply with any applicable
regulations of the Coastal State Authorities in the areas of operation. Compliance
with the prescribed standards of the applicable National Administration is to be
demonstrated by the issue of appropriate certification by the National
Administration or LR where so authorised. See also
Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.4 General 1.4.11.
1.3.4 to operate for prolonged periods adjacent to other offshore
installations which are being used for hydrocarbon exploration or production, it is
the Owner’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of the appropriate
National Administration and LR is to be advised at the approval stage so that
classification aspects relating to safety are taken into account, see Pt 7 Safety Systems, Hazardous Areas and Fire. Special consideration will be given to existing units
with regard to class.
1.4 General
1.4.1 Offshore units built in accordance with LR’s Rules and Regulations, or in
accordance with requirements equivalent thereto, will be assigned a class on the
Class Direct website and will continue to be classed so long as they are
found, upon examination at the prescribed surveys, to be maintained in accordance
with the requirements of the Rules. Classification will be conditional upon
compliance with LR’s requirements for materials, structure, machinery, equipment and
other safety considerations.
1.4.2 Units designed and constructed to standards other than the Rule
requirements will be considered for classification, subject to the alternative
standards being considered by LR to give an equivalent level of safety to the Rule
requirements. It is essential that in such cases LR is informed of the Owner’s
proposals at an early stage, in order that a basis for acceptance of the standards
may be agreed.
1.4.3 The Classification Committee, in addition to requiring compliance with
LR’s Rules, or other agreed performance standards, may require to be satisfied that
units are suitable for geographical or other limits or conditions of the service
contemplated.
1.4.4 Although the specified design environmental criteria on which
classification is based are the responsibility of the Owner, assessment by LR of a
unit’s suitability for service at a particular offshore location will be undertaken
and agreed before approval.
1.4.5 Loading conditions and other preparations required to permit a unit
(whether self-propelled or not) with a notation specifying some service limitation
to undertake a sea-going voyage, either from port of building to service area or
from one service area to another, are to be in accordance with arrangements agreed
by LR prior to the voyage.
1.4.6 Any damage, defect, breakdown or grounding, serious deficiency,
detention or arrest, or refusal of access which could invalidate the conditions for
which class has been assigned is to be reported to LR without delay.
1.4.7 The Owner is solely responsible for the operation of the unit. The Rules
are framed on the understanding that the unit will be properly loaded and operated,
and the environmental conditions are no more severe than those agreed for the design
basis and approval, without prior agreement of LR.
1.4.9 It will be the responsibility of the Owner to provide instructions and
set down limits for the operation of the unit to ensure that the loading and
environmental conditions on which classification is based will not be exceeded.
These instructions and limitations are to be contained in the Operations Manual (or
a Loading Manual for ship units and other surface type units) which is to be
retained on board the unit. The Owner should ensure that the Manual is kept up to
date and contains appropriate data required by the relevant National
Administration.
1.4.10 The Classification Committee requires that units comply with all
requirements of the National Administration and all applicable mandatory
international IMO and ILO Conventions and Codes (including Amendments thereto),
including the following:
The Classification Committee requires the applicable Convention and Code Certificates
to be issued by authorities as follows:
- Cargo Ship Radio Certificates, Safety Management Certificates, International
Ship Security Certificates and Maritime Labour Certificates, if required,
must have been issued by a recognised organisation authorised by the
National Administration with which the unit is registered.
- All other mandatory statutory certificates must have been issued by LR or by
a National Administration or by an IACS Member when so authorised by the
National Administration with which the unit is registered.
In the case of dual-classed units, Convention Certificates may be issued by the other
Classification Society with which the unit is classed, provided this is recognised
in a formal Dual Class Agreement with LR and provided the other Classification
Society is also authorised by the National Administration.
In the event of a National Administration withdrawing any unit’s Convention
Certificate (referred to in this Section), then the Classification Committee may
suspend the unit’s class. If a unit is removed from the National Administration’s
Registry for the non-compliance with the Conventions or Classification Requirements
referred to herein, then the Classification Committee will suspend the unit’s class.
In the event of ISM Code certification being withdrawn from a unit or Operator, then
the Classification Committee will suspend the unit’s class.
1.4.12 Where an onboard computer system having longitudinal strength computation
capability, which is required by the Rules, is provided on a new unit or newly
installed on an existing unit, then the system is to be certified in respect of
longitudinal strength in accordance with LR’s Approval of Longitudinal Strength
and Stability Calculation Programs.
1.4.13 Where an onboard computer system having stability computation capability
is provided on a new unit, the system is to be certified in respect of stability
aspects, in accordance with LR’s Approval of Longitudinal Strength and Stability
Calculation Programs. When provided, an onboard computer system having
stability computation capability is to carry out the calculations and checks
necessary to assess compliance with all the stability requirements applicable to the
unit on which it is installed.
1.4.15 Where a unit has been detained by Port State Control, the Owner is to
advise LR immediately, in order to arrange the attendance of a Surveyor.
1.5 Interpretation of the Rules
1.5.1 The interpretation of the Rules is the sole responsibility, and is at the
sole discretion, of LR. Any uncertainty in the meaning of the Rules is to be
referred to LR for clarification.
1.5.2 In many instances, these Rules require that particular components,
systems and equipment, etc., must also comply with applicable Sections of the Rules
for Ships. Every effort has been made to avoid potential conflicting requirements;
however, where such a conflict becomes apparent, the requirements of these Rules
shall take precedence.
1.6 Advisory services
1.6.1 The Rules do not cover certain technical characteristics, such as
stability, hull vibration, etc., but advice may be given on such matters without any
assumption of responsibility for such advice.
1.7 Legislative verification
1.7.2 LR has also been authorised on behalf of National Administrations of a
large number of nations to issue certain statutory, safety and other certificates.
LR is willing to act, when requested, in respect of such certification.
1.7.3 When machinery and equipment are to comply with EC Directives, LR as a
notified body can issue EC Type Certification in accordance with LR’s appointment.
Full details will be supplied to manufacturers and other interested parties on
request.
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