Ice Strategy. Icebergs of up to several million tonnes can enter the field. A strategy of avoidance has been developed. On the approach of a large iceberg the standby boat will attempt to tow the iceberg out of the path of the FPSO. If a collision is still likely the FPSO will disconnect from the mooring and stand-off until the iceberg has drifted through the field. The FPSO is equipped with a high-resolution ice tracking radar. This has been considered to be ineffective for icebergs and bergy bits of less than 100,000 tonnes in wave conditions above Hs 5 m. Therefore, the FPSO hull has been designed to resist icebergs of this size, as well as 5/10 ice cover of 0.3metres thickness sea ice, through ice strengthening of the hull.
Design Responsibility
The Terra Nova Alliance (TNA) has the following partners;
Petro-Canada, Halliburton Energy Services, Shawmont Brown & Root (SBR), FMC Offshore Canada lnc, and it's subsidiary companies (SOFEC, KOS), Coflexip Stena Offshore Newfoundland Ltd, PCL Industrial Constructors Inc and DORIS Conpro Offshore Ltd
Companies involved in the design and management of the FPSO only are;
FPSO Management: Shawmont Brown & Root
Vessel:
Shawmont Brown & Root and primary subcontractor Daewoo Heavy Industries
Topsides: Shawmont Brown & Root
Turret: FMC, (SOFEC)
Risers and Installation:
Coflexip Stena Offshore (CSO)/Rockwater
Design Drivers
Owners' Requirements. The design intent for the Terra Nova project is illustrated, Table 2. These are issues defined by the owners as the key project requirements. Petro Canada set the following functional targets
-Facility Availability of 85%.
-Production in 10 year return storm (Design Basis requires 1 year storm).
-Offloading 8,000 m3/hr (maximum rate).
-Thruster assisted mooring, able to operate in DP mode.
-Disconnection in 1 year iceberg season storm.
-Reconnection in Hs 2.1 m.
-Hull design life 25 years.
-Equipment design life 20 years.
-Coatings, corrosion protection system and easily replaceable units 10 year life.
-Ability to dry dock vessel.
-Classed as FPSO by Lloyd's Register of Shipping (LRS).
-Canadian flag and compliant with all appropriate Canadian regulations.
The drivers in the design of the FPSO vessel hull are the combined requirements of the Project Design Intent, the functional targets and compliance with the regulatory requirements.
Regulatory Basis. Terra Nova is the first FPSO designed to operate on the Grand Banks and indeed in Canadian waters.
The governing law is the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation. Under these acts there are a number of regulations and guidelines, which cover all aspects of the Production Installation as well as Drilling Installations, Diving Installations and Accommodation Installations. In addition to safety of the installation, the Offshore Petroleum Regulations also cover conservation of the resource and prevention of pollution. The Canada Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board (CNOPB), administers these regulations. A Newfoundland Offshore Certificate of Fitness pursuant to the Newfoundland Offshore Certificate of Fitness Regulations will be obtained from a recognised Certifying Authority for the Terra Nova FPSO. The CNOPB is also responsible for administration of provisions related to industrial and employment benefits contained in the Acts. These include provision for full and fair opportunity for companies in the Province and other parts of Canada to participate in the supply of goods and services on a competitive basis with first consideration given to services provided from within the Province and to goods manufactured in the Province, where those services and goods are competitive in terms of far market price, quality and delivery. With respect to employment, the Acts provide for full and fair opportunity for employment of Canadians and, in particular, members of the labour force of the province.
As this FPSO disconnects and becomes self propelled it also comes under the jurisdiction of Transport Canada, which represents the Flag State. Transport Canada is applying many of the international standards produced by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) such as; Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), MARPOL and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) are applied.
The EPSO will be classed to Lloyd's Register of Shipping (LRS) rules. LRS has been selected as the Certification Authority for the Terra Nova FPSO and have been appointed as Authorisation Inspection Authority (AIA) for the Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Regulation. Transport Canada has delegated much of their authority to LRS, with the exception of safety related matters. This regulatory structure reduces the review cycle as LRS will review compliance to their own rules, Transport Canada and Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum regulations.
The installation will conform to the requirements of the following Canadian Federal and Provincial regulations:
