API Technical Report – Guidance for the Integrity Management of Weathervaning Systems

Abstract

Abstract Presently, limited guidance is available to the industry on best practices for managing the integrity of weathervaning systems for floating assets. Weathervaning systems include internal and external turrets, tower yoke turrets and loading/offloading buoys. Components that make up these systems (i.e., bearings, lubrication systems, swivels, leak recovery systems, connection and release systems) are critical to the weathervaning capability of offshore Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) and Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) Systems (hereon collectively referred to as Floating Production Systems or FPS) as well as loading/offloading buoy systems. They are also critical to maintaining production and disconnection/reconnection to avoid extreme events. To maintain these complex systems, a multi-discipline offshore integrity team (e.g., process, mechanical, electrical and structural) is required. As a result of these complexities, it is often challenging for offshore operators to understand all the subsystems and manage the long-term integrity. Recognizing this limitation, the American Petroleum Institute (API) commissioned a project to develop guidance on managing the integrity of weathervaning systems. The resulting new API technical report addresses this limitation by providing information from OEMs, and operators on the various component functions, complexities, deterioration mechanisms along with guidance on typical activities required to maintain integrity. This paper describes the development, industry engagement and content of the new API guidance document for weathervaning systems integrity management (IM).