Drawings and Specifications
GENERAL
For use in connection with fixed offshore platforms
and related facilities, the drawings and
specifications are defined as follows:
CONCEPTUAL DRAWINGS
Conceptual drawings are intended to supply a
general idea of the facility under consideration.
These drawings should include preliminary layouts
and elevation views of the overall facility showing
the number, type of construction and approximate
size of each platform, as well as the more
important auxiliary features, such as heliports and
boat landings.
Simplified process or mechanical flow diagrams
and electrical one-line diagrams should be
included for all production or utility systems. A
generalized equipment layout drawing should be
included which also indicates buildings, storage of
supplies, etc.
All information which contributes to clarify the
overall intent of the facility should be shown.
Specifications are not generally required.
However, if included, they should be of general
descriptive nature to supplement the drawings to
adequately describe the facility.
BID DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Bid drawings are intended to show the total facility
with its configuration and dimension in sufficient
detail to accurately define the scope of the project.
With supplemental specifications, bid drawings are
suitable for submittal by the contractor to generally
define the scope of the proposal, or suitable to be
furnished by the owner requesting a quotation
where the design is to be part of the contractor’s
bid. In the latter case, all essential information
needed by the designer should be included.
Structural drawings should show major overall
dimensions, deck arrangements, operational
loading requirements and any preferred type of
construction and materials. Structural details and
member sizes are not necessarily furnished since
these are considered as “Design” drawings. All
auxiliary items which are to be included in the bid,
such as boat landings, barge bumpers, stairs,
walks, fence, handrail, etc., should be shown on
these drawings. Typical preferred construction
details of the terms should be included.
Equipment layout drawings should be included for
all decks. Sufficiently detailed process, mechanical
Copyright American Petroleum Institute
and utility flow diagrams and electrical one-line
diagrams should be included for all systems which
are covered by the bid.
Specifications for equipment, machinery, and other
engineered components should include an
itemized list and description of all items not shown
on the drawings but which are to be included in the
bid, even such items as lighting and cathodic
protection. Specifications for materials and
fabrication should include all types of material
allowed for use and any particular requirements for
dimensional tolerances, inspection, testing and
welding.
DESIGN DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Design drawings give descriptive information
about the major components of the facility.
Emphasis in these drawings is placed on overall
layouts and definition of critical items,
supplemental by essential details. They should
indicate all appurtenances and should include all
dimensions where strict adherence is required.
Design drawings should include a layout of the
location and orientation of the structure or
structures in the field, as well as the location of
equipment on the decks of each structure.
Structural drawings showing member sizes of all
major structural members and all controlling
dimensions should be included. General locations
and preliminary or typical details of miscellaneous
structural items, such as joints, cover plates, web
plate stiffeners, etc., should be indicated. Also any
other typical structural details should be included
which are not normally standard to this type
construction.
Design drawings should also include all items
necessary for installation purposes, such as lifting
eyes and launching trusses, which are critical to
the structural design of the platform.
Mechanical and utility flow diagrams showing size
of all equipment, piping and valves, and electrical
one-line diagrams showing rating and sizes of
feeders and controls should be included.
Equipment layout drawings of all equipment shown
on the flow diagrams or one-line diagrams,
manifolds and major instrumentation items, such
as large control valves, meter runs, control valve
stations and control panels should be shown.
Piping plan and elevation drawings should show
major piping only and indicate adequate space
reserved for minor piping and for conduit and
cable runs.
Design drawings should be supplemented by all
specifications necessary to convey the intent of
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 Drawings and Specifications
the design. Standard specifications for material
and fabrication which are referred to in this guide
lines can be properly referenced on appropriate
drawings. However, any deviations from these
specifications must be detailed. Specifications
should be included for equipment, machinery and
other engineered items.
Design drawings and specifications are often used
as part of the solicitation package or as part of the
contract document. As such, they need to be
sufficiently detailed and suitable to be furnished by
the owner to the contractor to be used for making
accurate material take-offs for bidding purposes
when no design is required on the part of the
contractor, or suitable for submittal by the
contractor to the owner to completely define the
proposal. When design drawings are used for bid
or contract purposes, all auxiliary items such as
stairs, boat landing, walkways, etc., should be
shown in sufficient detail for estimating purposes.
FABRICATION DRAWINGS AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Fabrication drawings are intended to supply
sufficient information that fabrication can be
performed directly from these drawings. They
should contain all design data fully detailed and
dimensioned. At the fabricator’s option, they may
be supplemented by shop drawings.
A set of fabrication drawings includes completely
detailed design drawings with descriptions, exact
locations, sizes, thicknesses and dimensions of all
structural members and stiffeners. This information
should also be shown for all structural items, such
as brackets, stiffeners, cover plates, etc., and for
all auxiliary items, such as stairs, walkways, fence,
handrail, etc. Connections and joints should be
completely detailed, including welding symbols,
unless standard procedures apply. Methods of
attaching timber, grating and plate should be
included.
In addition to complete piping plan and elevation
drawings, a set of fabrication drawings should
include piping isometric drawings and details for all
pipe supports, if required by the complexity of the
facility. Instrumentation location plans and
supports, electrical location diagrams showing
general routing, and wire and cable tie-ins to
electrical equipment should be included.
Fabrication drawings should clearly indicate the
components or “packages” scheduled for
assembly as units in the fabrication yard. Welds
and connections to be performed in the “field”
should be indicated.
Copyright American Petroleum Institute
Detailed specifications should be included for all
work to be done by the fabricator such as welding,
fabrication, testing, etc., and for all materials,
equipment or machinery to be furnished by the
fabricator. However, for standard specifications
covered under the recommendations of this RP,
no copies need to be furnished provided reference
is made on key drawings. Specifications for
equipment and other engineered items not
purchased by the fabricator may also be included
with fabrication drawings for general information.
SHOP DRAWINGS
Shop drawings or sketches are prepared by or for
the fabricator, at his option, to facilitate the
fabrication of parts and/or components of
platforms. They are intended to provide all
information and instructions for that purpose. Due
to differences in methods and procedures of
various fabricators, shop drawings may vary in
appearance.
Shop drawings may include typical shop details to
supplement details and dimensions shown on
either fabrication drawings or patterns for coping
the ends of members, detailed piece-marked
drawings for each member and pipe spool
drawings.
Shop drawings are the responsibility of the
fabricator. Approval or review of shop drawings by
the designer or owner should not relieve the
fabricator of his responsibility to complete the work
in accordance with the contract or fabrication
drawings and specifications.
INSTALLATION DRAWINGS AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Installation drawings furnish all pertinent
information necessary for the construction of the
total facility on location at sea. They contain
relevant information not included on fabrication
drawings.
If special procedures are required, a set of
installation drawings may include installation
sequence drawings. Details of all installation aids
such as lifting eyes, launching runners or trusses,
jacket brackets, stabbing points, etc., should be
included if these are not shown on fabrication
drawings. For jackets or towers installed by
flotation or launching, drawings showing
launching, upending, and flotation procedures
should be provided. Details should also be
provided for piping, valving and controls of the
flotation system, closure plates, etc.
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 Drawings and Specifications
Erection of temporary struts or support should be
indicated. All rigging, cables, hoses, etc., which
are to be installed prior to loadout should be
detailed. Barge arrangement, loadout and tie-down
details should be provided.
Installation drawings are intended to be used in
connection with fabrication drawings. They should
be supplemented by detailed installation
specifications, installation procedures, or special
instructions as required to provide all information
required to complete the field installation.
AS-BUILT DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS
As-built drawings show in detail the manner in
which the facility was actually constructed. These
drawings are usually made by revising the original
fabrication drawings, supplemented by additional
drawings if necessary. As-built drawings are
intended to reflect all changes, additions,
corrections or revisions made during the course of
construction. They are prepared for use by the
owner to provide information related to the
operation, servicing, maintenance, and future
expansion of the facility.
Reference:
API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 2A - 21st EDITION (WSD), 2005
Copyright American Petroleum Institute
When the preparation of as-built drawings has
been authorized by the owner, it is the
responsibility of the fabricator and the field erector
to furnish to the owner or to the designer adequate
information regarding all variations between the
drawings and the facility as actually constructed.
This is usually furnished as corrections from the
yard, the shop and the field, marked on prints of
the original drawings or by supplementary
sketches, if required. This information should be
sufficiently complete that the owner or the
designer can correct and revise the original
drawings without additional data or field
measurements. Since the fabricator and erector
are responsible for the accuracy of the corrections,
a review and/or approval of the corrected drawings
should be made by both the fabricator and erector.
Minor deviations from the original drawings are
generally numerous. Differences between the
actual dimensions and those shown on the
drawings need not be reported if they are within
the specified allowable tolerances.
Specifications should also be corrected to reflect
any changes made during the purchase of
material, equipment or machinery.
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