WORK HISTORY

 

MMASS is now in its sixth year of operation in its present form and during that time has achieved the following:

 

Safety Cases

The development of more than 30 semi-submersible and 3 jack-up Safety Cases, one of the jack-ups being a vessel with jacking capability.

 

This work included qualitative and quantitative major hazard risk assessments, safety management system summaries and the compilation of technical details as well as the development of complete workplace and PFEER Assessments. Latterly the safety cases were presented in the IADC North West European Safety Case format, and three have been presented in accordance with the 2005 Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations.

 

Several Major Accident Hazard Risk Assessments have also been undertaken for mobile units operating outwith the UK regulatory regime, whose owners never-the-less wish to maintain high standards of safety.

 

Emergency Response Manuals

As a result of the Company’s detailed knowledge of offshore risks it has been engaged to develop 14 Emergency Response Manuals for semi-submersibles and jack-ups including Station Bills.

 

This process has included any requirements from the Prevention of Fire and Explosion and Emergency Response Regulations, and the documents are provided with instructions, guidance, flowcharts and checklists.

 

Verification Schemes

In response to the requirements of the PFEER and Design and Construction Regulations MMASS has developed verifications scheme philosophies and performance standards for jack-ups, semi-submersibles and DP mobile units and has put in place 15 schemes on behalf of clients.

 

In conjunction with this activity MMASS consultants have advised on maintenance requirements for SCEs and have consulted with ICPs.

 

Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plans

Technical authoring activities have included the development of 18 Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plans (SOPEPS) in accordance with the relevant IMO guidance.

 

Mobile Unit Marine Operations Manuals

Semi-submersible Marine Operations Manuals have been written for 6 units in accordance with client’s requirements and in their templates.

 

Where necessary, conformance with the 1989 MODU Code has been achieved. In addition MMASS has advised on Stability Manual changes as a result of modification or lightship increases in association with the revised Operations Manuals.

 

Combined Operations Safety Cases

The Company has participated in the development of, or has managed the compilation of, a number of Combined Operations Safety Cases.

 

This has involved acting as a focal point for the collection of data from the participating companies, carrying out combined operations risk assessments, developing dropped object studies and compiling the safety case in a form acceptable to the clients, and finally the HSE.

 

Risk Assessment Facilitating

MMASS has facilitated numerous non-major accident risk assessments, using a variety of software tools, including Bow-Tie presentations and the knowledge based HAZOP process.

 

Risk assessments carried out have ranged from the operation of FRCs in sheltered waters, to the activities relating to bringing a jack-up back into service after a serious machinery space fire.

 

FMEAs

FMEAs have been carried out in accordance with client’s requirements or else to an accepted format for:

 

·          Semi-submersible Ballast Systems

·          Mooring Systems

·          Emergency Mooring Release Systems

·          Jack-up Jacking and Leg Guide Systems

·          Derrick Hoisting Systems

 

Marine Consultancy

MMASS Marine Consultants have acted as client representatives for rig moves and other marine operations and have carried out numerous warranty surveys, as well as assisting clients with the selection of towing vessels and the organisations of wet and dry tows.

 

We have provided personnel to control marine logistics activities, to carry out workforce consultations for ERRV sharing and to assist clients with MODU selection.

 

On behalf of clients MMASS has monitored the operation of ERRVs and has carried out validation trials to ensure that rescue and recovery performance standards can be met.

 

Engineering Services

Technical Superintendency for a variety of rig related projects has been provided, including crane survey and improvement for LOLER compliance, and operations in Norwegian waters.

 

Studies

 

Personnel Basket/LOLER Compliant Transfer Device Safety Study

 

The development of a structured argument for the use of LOLER compliant transfer devices for downmanning during an emergency.

 Crane Emergency Release System Study 

A study which tabled research carried out into crane accidents both in Europe and the Gulf of Mexico to identify the need for a crane emergency release system, and other safety considerations relating to the installation of such a system.

 

Deep Water BOP Reliability Study

 

A study into the failures of a deepwater BOP system to identify the improvements which might be made to the hardware and the maintenance activities.

 

Human Factors in Winch Operations on Semi-submersibles

 

Research into the factors which might lead to serious winch failures during rig moves and the means by which such failures could be minimised.

 

Gap Analysis for Norwegian Regulation Compliance

 

A study to identify the relationship between the UK formal safety assessments and records, including the safety case, and the Norwegian safety legislation to minimise the need for changes to safety management systems of UK origin.

 

Mobile Unit Helideck Lighting Reliability Study

 

A study to provide the client with reasonable proof that the reliability of the power system providing helideck lighting combined with the frequency of helicopter operations made the installation of a UPS system unnecessary.

 

Mobile Unit Terrorist Attack/ Security Breach Study

 

Facilitation of a team based risk assessment to determine frequency and consequence of terrorist attack on offshore units, followed by the provision of a report and guidance as to possible security improvements.

 

Flotel Emergency Mooring Release Evaluation

 

Study into the potential effectiveness of the emergency mooring release system for an accommodation unit when moored alongside a platform.

 

 Verification gap analyses between units involved in combined operations.

 

Assessment of the Safety Critical Elements additional to those already applicable to both units, needed to ensure safety of personnel during combined operations

 

Mobile Unit Emergency Shutdown strategies

 

Development of emergency shut down strategies to minimise the possibility of ignition of hydrocarbon gas subsequent to a blowout, while continuing to offer the Command team the maximum control over the unit.

 

Feasibility Study for Liftboat Operations under the UK Regulatory Regime

 

Development of a strategic document to allow a US Gulf lift boat operator to go through the process of achieving regulatory compliance in UK and to commence operations for a major oil company.

 

Operator’s Chartered Vessels Mud Tank Cleaning Systems Review

 

A detailed report subsequent to survey, on the mud tank cleaning capabilities of a major oil company chartered support vessel fleet. Thereafter the conducting extensive trials on one vessel, and the presenting of the results on behalf of the client to the vessel owners.

 

Cause of Damage to Fabricated Anchors during Recovery

An investigation into the causes of fabricated anchor damage, using information provided  tow masters and the vessels engaged in anchor handling operations, followed by a report and the addition of guidance to the Operations Manuals.

 

Pipelayer Transit Allowing for Reduction in Thruster Power

Investigation and report on the best means of moving a ship shaped pipelaying vessel with thruster damage from the area of operations to a designated repair yard.

Levels of Risk and Outcomes Relating to the 10,000 Year Storm

 

Assistance given to clients to develop structured arguments satisfying the HSE requirement for indication of the best means of ensuring the safety of the offshore workforce in the event of a 10,000 yr storm.

 

Use of Access Basket to replace Manriding Operations

 

A regulatory review to determine the relationship between the regulations for the use of access baskets and the Prevention of Fire and Explosion and Emergency Response Regulations (PFEER), followed by offshore risk assessments, workforce consultation meeting with the Health and Safety Executive.

 

Accident and Incident Investigations

Team Leaders and Team Members have been provided for accident and incident investigations relating to marine operations.

 

Client Representation

Clients have been represented at the following:

 

·          HSE Technical meetings

·          Well Test HAZIDs

·          Marine HAZIDs

 

Expert Witness Provision

Cases involving:

 

·          Mooring system and anchor-handler capabilities

·          Injuries during anchor-handling operations

 

Other Technical Authoring

 

·          IT Operations Manual and Handbook

·          Revision of Operator’s Marine Procedures Manual from several original sources

·          A rig specific Flotel Operations Manual

·          Collision Risk Management Manual for FPSOs

·          An Onshore Emergency Response Manual

 

Training

 

·          The Operation of support Vessels at offshore installations

·          Familiarisation with the Safety Case and its supporting documents

 

Management Services

Audits of ship-owners and service companies.

 

Onshore Emergency Response Exercises

 

·          Development of Exercises

·          Provision of role players