Certification of new offshore platforms
INTRODUCTION - CERTIFICATION OF NEW OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
The Mining Act (Mijnbouwwet) in the Netherlands requires that a new offshore production platform in the North Sea may only be put into use if it is certified in its entirety by a competent assessment institute. Bureau Veritas has more than 30 years of experience in certifying offshore platforms.
CERTIFICATION PROCESS
The first step in the certification process is the design review. This includes the approval of calculations, design criteria and drawings. The in-place analysis, fatigue analysis and boat impact analysis in particular are crucial for the further construction of the platform. If we find deviations during one of our checks, the construction cannot continue. If approved, Bureau Veritas issues a Design Appraisal Certificate & Report.
The second step is to supervise the construction of the topside and jacket structures. We do this through welding procedures, material certification and non-destructive testing. The points on which we supervise are laid down in the project's Inspection Test Plan (ITP), which is based on the standards underlying the Mining Act. If the requirements are met, Bureau Veritas issues the Certificate of Construction Survey.
The third step, when the construction has been released and transported to the installation site, consists of supervising the assembly of the jacket on the seabed and the topside on the jacket. If the requirements are met, Bureau Veritas issues the Certificate of Installation Survey.
When the above three certificates have been issued, Bureau Veritas finally issues a Certificate of Fitness (CoF) – valid for a period of five years – that releases the platform for use.
ANNUAL INSPECTIONS
Bureau Veritas inspects the topside and jacket annually, visually and above water, according to the long-term inspection plan. Based on this inspection, we issue an Annual Survey Report. The new CoF is issued based on the five Annual Survey Reports.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Bureau Veritas can carry out additional inspections if necessary, including those involving Top side piping and equipment (PED), low-voltage electrical installations (NEN 3140, NEN 1010 and ATEX) and sea pipes.