SPS Overlay provides side impact protection on three FPSOs

Dec. 17, 2014
SPS Overlay has provided side impact protection for three FPSOs. The work was carried out at Enseada do Paraguaçu SA Shipyards (EEP) in Brazil and at the COSCO (Dalian) Shipyard in China.

Offshore staff

HOUSTON – SPS Overlay has provided side impact protection for three FPSOs. The work was carried out at Enseada do Paraguaçu SA Shipyards (EEP) in Brazil and at the COSCO (Dalian) Shipyard in China. These projects were undertaken during the course of 2014, with the final project being completed in December. A total 2,824 sq m (30,397 sq ft) of SPS Overlay has been installed on the three vessels.

Intelligent Engineering (IE) sought approval from DNV to install SPS Overlay on boat landing areas adjacent to the cargo oil tanks of the vessels. This work was required to meet the low energy impact resistance requirements of IMO MARPOL Annex I Requirements for FPSOs and FSUs. The use of SPS Overlay creates a compact double side shell that exceeds these regulatory requirements.

IE studies, commissioned by Single Buoy Mooring, confirmed in 2007 that the use of SPS Overlay exceeds the requirements for the design collision scenario of a 5,000-metric-ton (5,511-ton) displacement of an offshore supply vessel (OSV) colliding with an FPSO. Since then, SPS Overlay has been used on 12 FPSOs to provide side shell impact protection. Its use eliminates the need to install cofferdams or a double hull. Void spaces that would have required through-life inspection and maintenance can now be used to store more cargo.

12/17/2014