International classification society Lloyd's Register (LR) was the first certifying authority to be involved in Vietnam's current wave of offshore projects. The Vietnamese government's recognition of the need to establish and monitor standards of design, construction, installation and maintenance of offshore projects led to the joint venture technical cooperation agreement between LR and the Vietnam Register of Shipping (VIRES), although LR had provided training for VIRES personnel in the UK throughout the 1980s.
Today, LR/VIRES operate offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau. These are staffed by LR surveyors with support from VIRES surveyors. Under the joint agreement, LR provides in Vietnam a wide range of offshore services including certification and verification. Specialist technical services such as design appraisal and risk assessment can also be provided from LR's Kuala Lumpur office and London headquarters.
Over the past few years LR/VIRES has certified 19 of the jacket structures owned by Vietsovpetro. LR/VIRES has also been involved in the following projects:
- class and certification of BHP's Dai Hung semisubmersible
- certification of the 125km long 16-in. gas pipeline from the Bach Ho Field including the Dinh Co/Ba Ria receiving termini, as well as involvement with the extension of the pipeline onshore to Phu My
- certification of the offshore gas compression facility for the same project
- modification of the BA VI Tanker into an FPSO at the Keppel Shipyard, Singapore in 1994. Conversion involved fitting hydrocarbon processing facilities on the upper deck and cargo tanks and a mooring system in the bows. The vessel now operates on the Bach Ho Field.
- certification of water injection modules on two Vietsovpetro installations.
LR/VIRES is also conducting a quantitative risk assessment for a Vietsovpetro installation (MSPO1) on the Bach Ho Field in conjunction with the PetroVietnam Research and Development Centre for Petroleum Safety and the Environment (RDCPSE).
LR/VIRES has also developed training packages for the PetroVietnam Engineering Construction Company which include instruction in the analysis of platform structures and project management. In addition, PVECC engineers have attended LR's structural engineering and non-destructive examination courses.
This year LR/VIRES will be working on Petronas Carigali's Ruby Field development, continuing into the planned start-up year of 1998 when LR/VIRES will certify the project. LR also remains committed to technology transfer though its work with VIRES and RDCPSE with an ongoing programme of technical seminars and visits.
Finally, LR recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam's Institute of Construction for Offshore Engineering at Hanoi University. The director, Professor Dr Pham Khac Hung, is also scientific adviser to VIRES. The aim is to promote an exchange of technical ideas (including training) and to investigate further areas for collaboration.
