Stability for Jackups A Different

Challenge
Oct 9, 2013
Presented by Arun Pushkarna
Asset Integrity Manager,
National Drilling Company, Abu Dhabi

Before We Start

Lets Journey Back in Time

Early Assyrian Warship, possibly 8th Century BC

Triremes designed for low Centre of Gravity, high freeboard
Stability awareness existed at that time

Journey in Time contd

Earliest oceangoing
vessels appeared in 2000
B.C
250 BC: Archimedes
propounded the Laws of
Flotation
1746 49: Bouguer & Euler
established hydrostatic
stability criteria
1860: John Rusell formed
Institute of Naval
Architects

Journey Continues

1867: 2350 Seamen & 137

passengers died
1876: Compulsory Plimsoll mark on
British ships
1890: Marking of loadline
according to measurement
mandatory
1930: Loadline rules formulated
based on freeboard
1966: IMO adopted Loadline Rules
based on subdivision and damage
stability

IMO Code on Intact Stability

Preamble
..the

safety of a ship in a seaway involves complex

hydrodynamic phenomena which up to now have not
been adequately investigated and understood..
.. It is recognized that development of stability
criteria, based on hydrodynamic aspects and stability
analysis of a ship in a seaway, poses, at present,
complex problems which require further research
4013 Years ..and Counting!!!

Lets Agree on the Definition

Stability
The ability of a ship to regain
its upright equilibrium position,
after the removal of external
factor which caused the vessel
to heel at an angle.

Ships are stable when upright

Ships by design need to be afloat

Ships Vs Jack Up Rigs

SHIPS
Appeared in 2000 B.C
Spend 99% of time afloat;
1% drydocked
Water supported
Ships have certified,
licensed Officers
Has taken 4000 years for
developing stability

JACKUPS
Appeared in year 1954
Spend 98% time jacked up;
2% time afloat
Soil supported
Few regulatory
requirements
In our Lifetime???

IMO Codes on Stability

Guidance for MODUs
contained in
Code for Intact
Stability
MODU Code
Conditions covered by
Codes
Operating Conditions
Severe Storm Condition
Transit Condition

So
Are we on Solid Ground?

2002: This Unit Met Stability Criteria

Jacking system slipped and the hull fell heavily on one side causing
the Port side to drop down with catastrophic consequences
Was the Rig Stable?

2009: So Did This

This rig was preloading when the leg penetrated in soil

causing serious leg and hull damage
Was it Stable?

Three Months Ago

Tragic consequences of
loss of soil stability
Damage caused
uncontrolled flooding
Rig sank in a short time
It was a MODU and
Stability compliant unit
Why did it get lost?

The Jackup Difference

Jackup Rigs are designed to be supported on legs

Most of their lifespan is in elevated mode
Risks of loss of stability is equally high on location
Staff frequently experienced but not certified
No prescriptive standards to appreciate risks
Soil understanding almost nil
Codes do not address the requirements

IMO Requirements

As soon as
practicable

MOU

All personnel on mobile offshore

units

IMO: OIM Requirements

What Needs to Change

Understanding of soil strength
imperative to foundation
stability

Generally Overlooked
Attachments to legs e.g.,
ladders, pipes, etc
Marine Growth on legs
and drag due to same
Helicopter landing loads
Mooring loads for Supply
vessels
Unbalanced leg loads due
to high drilling fluid
changes

The Challenges Remain

Guidance is strongly inclined to

transit condition.
Assumptions of storm calculations
never placed on board
Guidance to soil testing/preloading
only weakly referenced in
Operating Manual
Competency requirements now
defined but lacking details
No development paths exist

Stark Reminder: Unsinkable Titanic (1912)

Lets Hope Its.

.A New Beginning