Section 1 General

1.1.1 The requirements of this Chapter apply to the drilling plant, derricks and flare structures, etc., and drilling related systems and equipment installed on board drilling units. The requirements of this Chapter are considered to be supplementary to the requirements in the relevant Parts of the Rules.

1.1.2 The Rules cover the approval of the drilling plant which includes the equipment and systems required for safe drilling operations but limited to those aspects defined in Pt 3, Ch 7, 1.3 Scope. The approval of the equipment includes all mechanical and structural components of the drilling plant covered by the Rules. The Rules also cover the protection of the environment with regard to pollution.

1.1.3 The operational aspects and reliability of the drilling plant are not covered by class except when they have an effect on the overall safety of the drilling unit, the personnel on board or the environment.

1.1.4 The Rules are framed on the understanding that units with an installed drilling plant facility will not be operated in environmental conditions more severe than those for the design basis and class approval. The drilling facilities are to be considered designed to operate under ambient conditions prevalent in the intended area of operation, and based on relevant MetOcean and climatic data.

1.1.5 It is the responsibility of the Owners/Operators to ensure that the drilling plant facility is properly maintained and operated by qualified personnel and that the test and operational procedures are clearly defined and complied with.

1.1.6 The limiting design criteria on which approval is based are to be stated in the unit’s Operations Manual.

1.2.1 The Regulations for classification and the assignment of class notations are given in Pt 1, Ch 2 Classification Regulations, to which reference is to be made.

1.2.2 Units fitted with an installed drilling plant facility which complies with the requirements of this Chapter, or recognised Codes and Standards agreed with LR, will be eligible for the assignment of the special features class notation DRILL.

1.2.3 When a unit is to be verified in accordance with the Regulations of a Coastal State Authority, an additional descriptive note may be assigned in accordance with Pt 1, Ch 2 Classification Regulations.

1.2.4 The latest issue of the following referenced standards is to be used unless otherwise agreed beforehand. Other recognised Standards may be used provided it can be shown that they meet or exceed the requirements of the referenced standards in Pt 12, Ch 1 Recognised Codes and Standards. When other codes or standards are proposed, gap analysis and risk assessments are to be provided by the dutyholder to demonstrate an equivalent level of safety to the recognised Standards in this notation.

Risk assessments are to be made by the dutyholder with regard to mitigating or limiting the effects of these and any other similar related hazards.

1.3.2 Any part, component or structure of the drilling system that is required to allow the rig to conduct drilling or well testing operations. This includes any outlet from hydrocarbon flares and vent systems, and includes the subsea blow out preventer stack, risers, conductors and any other subsea component that is required to allow drilling operations from the unit to be conducted but does not include subsea production equipment.

1.4.1 The design and arrangement of the drilling plant, derricks and flare structures, etc., are to comply with the requirements of this Chapter and/or recognised Codes and Standards, see Pt 3, Ch 7, 1.5 Recognised Codes and Standards

1.4.2 Attention is to be given to the relevant Statutory Regulations of the National Administrations in the country of registration and the area of operation, as applicable.

These angles may be modified by LR in particular cases as considered necessary. In no case is the inclined angle for the emergency static condition to be taken less than the maximum calculated angle in the worst damage condition in accordance with the appropriate damage stability criteria.

1.4.5 In the emergency condition defined in Pt 3, Ch 7, 1.4 Plant design characteristics 1.4.4, the plant is to be assumed to have maximum operating weights, temperatures and pressures, unless agreed otherwise with LR. When applicable, the plant is also to be subjected to ice and snow loads. Wind loads need not be considered to be acting during this emergency condition. The total stress in any component of the plant or support structure above the deck is not to exceed the minimum yield stress of the material.

1.4.6 The permissible stresses in the primary hull structure below plant and equipment supports in transit, operating and emergency conditions are to be in accordance with Pt 4, Ch 5 Primary Hull Strength.

1.4.7 The design of the plant is to allow for adequate space and services for completion and intervention equipment, such as, but not limited to, wire line, logging, coiled tubing, snubbing, well completion, work over and well testing. The location is also to take into consideration the requirement for hazardous area classification of equipment and services. Communication and safety systems are also required to be considered in the design.

1.5.1 Installed drilling plant facilities designed and constructed to standards other than the Rule requirements will be considered for classification, subject to the alternative standards being agreed 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. Refer to Pt 12, Ch 1 Recognised Codes and Standards for applicable international Codes and Standards considered by LR as an equivalent level of safety to Rule requirements.

1.5.2 In general, the requirements in this Chapter are based on internationally recognised Codes and Standards for the drilling plant structures and drilling related systems and equipment as defined in Pt 12, Ch 1 Recognised Codes and Standards. Other Codes and national Standards may be used after special consideration and prior agreement with LR. When considered necessary, additional Rule requirements are also stated in this Chapter.

1.5.3 Where necessary, the Codes and Standards are to be suitably modified and/or adapted to take into account all marine environmental aspects.

1.5.4 The agreed Codes and Standards may be used for design, construction and installation but where considered applicable by LR, compliance with the additional requirements stated in the Rules is required. Where there is any conflict, the Rules will take precedence over the Codes or Standards.

1.5.5 The mixing of Codes or Standards for each equipment item or system is to be avoided. Deviation from the Code or Standard must be specially noted in the documentation and approved by LR.

1.6.1 The approval and certification of drilling equipment is to be based on equipment categories agreed with LR.

1.6.2 Drilling equipment, including its associated pipes and valves, is to be divided into equipment categories 1A, 1B and II, depending on the complexity of manufacture and its importance with regard to the safety of personnel and the installation and the possible effect on the environment.

1.6.3 The following equipment categories are used in the Rules:

1A.Equipment of primary importance to safety for which design verification and survey during fabrication are considered essential. Equipment in this category is of complicated design/manufacture and is not normally mass produced.

1B.Equipment of primary importance to safety for which design verification and witnessing the product quality are considered essential. Equipment in this category is normally mass produced and not included in category 1A.

IIEquipment related to safety which is normally manufactured to recognised Codes and Standards and has proven reliability in service, but excludes equipment in category 1A and 1B.

1.6.4 A guide to equipment and categories is given in Pt 3, Ch 21 Guidelines on Scope of Survey Certification of Safety Critical Equipment. A full list of equipment categories for each drilling plant facility is to be agreed with LR before manufacture. Minor equipment components need not be categorised.

1.7.2 All equipment recognised as being of importance for the safety of personnel and the drilling plant installation is to be documented by a data book.

1.9.2 A test procedure, including acceptance criteria and functional description prior to the factory acceptance test of equipment, system or sub-system, is to be provided.

Mechanical completion to the satisfaction of LR is to be completed prior to starting or testing of any drilling equipment or system. The commissioning procedures are to contain all necessary information required to ensure safe start-up and shut-down of each equipment or system. All equipment and system operating and maintenance manuals are to be made available to LR before final commissioning.

The drilling package will undergo a final drilling trial before delivery, in accordance with Pt 3, Ch 7, 10 Trials. All drilling equipment and related systems will be required to operate simultaneously with simulated drilling loads and operate as close to the normal drilling operations design as possible. All drilling instrumentation and sensors will also be included in the trial. A guidance note on how to conduct final trials will be made available for the Owner.

1.10.1 It is the responsibility of the Owners/Operators to ensure that installed drilling plant is maintained in a safe and efficient working condition in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

1.10.2 When it is necessary to repair or replace installed drilling plant, any repaired or spare part is to be subject to the equivalent certification as the original part.

1.10.3 The design and layout of the drilling systems are to provide safe working arrangements for operation and maintenance. Use of man-riding winches or baskets for routine maintenance should be discouraged.

1.10.4 Sufficient tools and test equipment to ensure safe and continued operation of the drilling plant are to be provided. Suitable tools and equipment for working at height and for use in hazardous areas are also to be provided.

1.11.1 Plans, calculations and data are to be submitted as required by the relevant Parts of the Rules, together with the additional plans and information listed in this Chapter. Plans are to be submitted in triplicate, but only a single copy of supporting documents and calculations is required.