DNV GL’s JIP Focuses on Safety Related to Subsea Lifting Operations

Due to a growing focus on safety related to subsea lifting operations, DNV GL has established a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to develop practical methods for reducing the risks and lifetime cost of steel wire ropes for subsea lifting applications, using an integrated systems approach.

Fourteen diverse industry players have already signed up and more partners are welcomed, especially oil and gas operators, said project manager, Inger-Lise Tangen at DNV GL.

Elisabeth Tørstad, CEO of DNV GL Oil & Gas, commented: “Frontier areas have emerged as serious attractions for oil and gas operators in recent years. Over half of the industry executives we interviewed for our industry outlook report Challenging Climates said they expect subsea technologies to absorb the strongest investment this year, to support exploration into new or challenging environments.”

“Operating in these areas requires leading-edge technologies and new knowledge. Industry collaboration is even more important here where the technical challenges are complex and the risk exposure may be higher. This JIP is therefore very timely,” she continued.

The rapidly growing number of subsea field developments worldwide will demand greater focus on safe execution of subsea lifting operations, both in the installation phase and throughout the lifetime of the field. High safety levels will be even more important going into deeper and ultra-deep waters, lifting larger and heavier equipment and more complex and expensive structures.

However, there are limited rules, regulations and standards suitable for ensuring and assessing the integrity of steel wire ropes for subsea lifting, especially for larger diameter ropes. A number of different factors can influence the integrity of a steel wire rope, but the knowledge about their effect and interaction, and how to assess them, is unfortunately limited currently.

“Industry players have expressed concerns related to today’s knowledge levels, competence and technology related to assessment of the condition and integrity of wire ropes. This is why DNV GL in cooperation with the industry has established a JIP with the aim of developing a Recommended Practice (RP) for integrity management of steel wire ropes used for subsea lifting applications,” explains Inger-Lise Tangen, Project Manager, DNV GL.

The new methods for integrity management of steel wire ropes will form the basis for documentation of the safety and reliability of integrated systems according to DNV-OS-E407, throughout the service life of the rope until it is duly discarded. The project will include relevant issues related to system integration, monitoring, condition assessment, inspection, maintenance, lubrication, production, etc.

Partners are: Bridon, DMT GmbH & Co. KG, DOF Management, Farstad Shipping AS, GC Rieber Shipping ASA, Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE, Huisman Equipment BV, National Oilwell Varco (NOV), Redaelli, Rolls Royce Marine AS, Saipem, Technip UK Limited, TEUFELBERGER Seil Ges.m.b.H. and W. Giertsen Services AS.

Press Release, April 01, 2014