DNV GL attracts a full house for seminar on dynamic positioning systems, described as a critical technology with high relevance to the exploration of the pre-salt fields and to the Brazilian offshore sector in general.
Due to the complexity of the offshore developments in Brazil, with ultra-deep waters and complex reservoirs, more complex vessels are needed, particularly on the pre-salt blocks. Dynamic positioning technology is thus of a great importance to the different players in the Brazilian oil and gas sector.
In August DNV GL invited representatives from all important stakeholders in the industry, like ANP, Petrobras, international oil and gas companies, drilling contractors, shuttle tanker and offshore support vessels owners and operators, shipyards, and others, to a seminar that focused on DP systems, from design to commissioning, including tests as well as operations. Risk aspects were addressed as well as how to mitigate them in operations where dynamic positioning systems are in use. The seminar also addresseed in special clarifications the DNV GL approach to the requirements for vessels with DP class notations requiring redundancy and where the power system is intended to be operated with closed bus-tie(s).
Redundancy and testing
High level and very technical presentations were given by Mr. Steven Mearns Cargill, Electrical Engineer, DNV GL UK, and Aleks Karlsen, Principal Specialist in DP Systems, DNV GL Norway (in the photo to the left).
More than 70 people were present for the seminar that took place in Rio de Janeiro on August 19, 2015.
Mr. Cargill talked about the need for protective functions, frequent testing and the importance of redundancy in these systems.
Mr. Karlsen also outlined the basic principles of DP redundancy and separation, and went into detail on IMO requirements for DP systems and DP power system trends and developments. He also talked about ongoing projects and major learning points in completed projects that DNV GL has conducted
Both speakers emphasized that DNV GL wishes to stimulate to the development and implementation of new technology.
«In our DNA»
José Paulo Pontes, Rafael Pinedo and Bruno Cruz were responsible for organizing the seminar:
«Technology is in the DNA of DNV GL. We are always looking into and supporting qualification of new solutions helping the industry to cut cost and increase safety and efficiency», Mr. José Paulo Pontes says.
From the left: Mr. Bruno Cruz, Mr. Alex Imperial and Mr. José Paulo Pontes.He describes that dynamic positioning systems are vital for success and operational safety in ultra-deep water pre-salt fields, f.i. in drilling and pipe laying operations.
«A variety of vessels used in offshore operations depend on DP systems. Managing risk in DP operations requires focus in design, operations and people in a way that these aspects cannot be seen as isolated elements. Particularly in design the industrial mission of the vessel needs to be clear, redundancy aspects addressed and the system should be fault tolerant ensuring performance, protection and detection. Sharing the DNV GL view on how to ensure and safeguard performance and safety levels with DP systems requiring redundancy and where the power system is intended to be operated with closed bus-tie(s,) is the objective of this seminar. »
Mr. Pontes also emphasized the importance of testing and the principle of redundancy.
«Technology is evolving very fast and at the same time international organizations like IMO establish requirements that the industry need to follow-up. So we need to keep up with the development and application of new technology in DP systems design, construction as well as ensure that adequate testing are conducted during commissioning and life time of such systems. That is what we are discussing here today», he says.
Passing
The DNV GL focus on research, development and innovation continues, despite the current challenging situation the industry is facing.
«The crisis will pass, and the focus on R&D needs to be long-term. Obviously, the crisis is affecting us, but we see that the priority given to R&D in this sector continues, and we also see that companies still want to invest in research in order to be well positioned when the crisis passes. It is just a question of time. New technologies are being tested and implemented, and the ambition is to increase efficiency and safety of operations in the future even further», says Mr. Alex Imperial, the regional manager of South America at DNV GL O&G.
By Runa Hestmann, NBCC journalist
(runa.tierno@nbcc.com.br)
DNV GL seminar on DP systems
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