MAY 6, 2013 — DNV has restructured its offshore classification rules for Mobile Offshore Units in order to improve transparency and enhance safety.

"Our aim is to help the rig owner in the building process – to clearly show that the unit is constructed in compliance with reliability and safety standards," says Erik Henriksen, Director for Mobile Offshore Units at DNV. "At the same time, yards can achieve improved efficiency and have the ability to document the safety level of alternative solutions."

Erik Hendersen

International offshore regulations and requirements are constantly adapting to new conditions, technologies and safety issues. Class rules prescribe how the regulations are to be met and help the owner and shipyard in designing and constructing the newbuild. But achieving an optimal result requires a delicate balance between detailed prescriptive vs. functional and more general requirements. The first ensure predictable and transparent results, while the latter allow the application of alternative solutions.

"DNV is continuously developing its standards and guidelines in order to be in the forefront of technology. As a class society, we aim to provide clear and updated rules to ensure that offshore units are safe, efficient and reliable. This is where we provide added value, since a more reliable unit equals less downtime," says Mr. Henriksen.

He says that the enhanced and restructured version of the DNV offshore classification rules for Mobile Offshore Units will provide stakeholders with a clear description of the technical requirements and that, as before, they are aligned with the IMO MODU Code, IACS Unified Requirements and other relevant international standards and codes. However, he says that, in addition, they include a comprehensive description of interpretations. This makes the rules' requirements easily understandable for application throughout the design, construction and operation of the asset.

DNV recognizes the competitive advantage of building to a higher standard than required for compliance with regulations. Going beyond these basic requirements will not only result in improved safety, but also increase reliability and hence have a direct positive effect on downtime. For owners looking to achieve this advantage, DNV has added an extra level of system requirements defining the optional Enhanced System class notation.

Specifically, the restructured rules provide advantages to all parts of the value chain:

• Efficiency – they enable more efficient production that meets internationally accepted standards without being limited to prescriptive solutions
• Reliability – they provide assurance that the unit meets reliability and safety standards without the burden of unnecessary disputes
• Transparency – they create trust that safety and design principles are implemented by following detailed interpretations

The enhanced and restructured format is now open for comments during an external six-week consultation period. Subsequently, DNV will update the standards based on the input received, followed by formal publication.