IS0 Offshore Structures Standard
Authors: Snell Richard 
Published: October 2008

The IS0 Offshore Structures Standard will provide the Industry with a single Standard providing design guidance for almost all types of offshore structure.

Work on the Standard has progressed to a point where the IS0 Sub-committee undertaking the work can inform the Industry in overall terms what to expect when the new Standard is published and the timeframe for publication.

This paper outlines the objectives and scope of the Standard. It will describe the organisation developed to undertake the work, the international representation and contribution from a large group of people, and how a concensus is being developed within this diverse group of contributors. The paper will outline the document structure and Standard format which has been developed to encompass the interests of different geographic regions whilst maintaining a consistent application of the basic design process.

The Standard is being developed by building on existing Industry practice from appropriate worldwide sources. The relationship between the IS0 Standard and existing documents from API and other sources will be described.

Application

The Standard will apply to all types of structure on a worldwide basis.

Results and Conclusions

The purpose of this paper is to inform the Industry of the Standard.

Significance

The IS0 Standard will become the primary technical guidance replacing existing Industry structural practices and standards.

Introduction

This paper is the first of four complimentary papers which aim to inform the Industry of the work being undertaken under IS0 Technical Committee 67tSub-Committee 7 Offshore Structures. This paper outlines the overall process behind the development of the Standard. Paper 8423 deal with the Fixed Steel Structures Part, 8422 with Fixed Concrete Structures and 8420 Floating Structures

Background to the work of IS0 TC 67tSC 7

The Oil Industry operates on a truely international basis and is under close scrutiny by host governments and regulators, each with their own views on technical issues appropriate to their region. Our Industry has a strong culture of self help and self regulation and has built up, notably through API a suite of Industry based standards. Whilst within the confines of the Oil Industry API, ASTM etc. standards are recognised and applied world wide they do not have the same authority as national Standards and many countries have their own regulations which supplement or replace API documents. The Industry therefore currently faces a multiplicity of regulations according to host location.

The International Standards Organisation set up 50 years ago is accepted world wide as the publisher of globally applicable standards.

In the late 1980's the Oil Industry, primarily guided by the Exploration and Production Forum and API, took a decision to convert it's standards into IS0 Standards and formed seven sub-committees under the parent IS0 Technical Committee 67 (which oversees the Oil Industry standards effort). Subcommittee 7 was formed to address Offshore structures. Other sub-committees address Linepipe, Pipelines, Drilling Fluids and Cements, Drilling and Production Equipment, Casing, tubing and Drillpipe and Machinery.

Scope of IS0 TC 671 SC 7

The scope of work is:-

Offshore Structures used in the Production and Storage of Petroleum and Natural Gas.