PETRONAS TECHNICAL STANDARDS

FPSO/FSO HULL CONVERSION

PTS 11.03.03
December 2018

© 2018 PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS)

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form
or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the permission of the copyright
owner. PETRONAS Technical Standards are Company’s internal standards and meant for authorized users only.
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FOREWORD

PETRONAS Technical Standards (PTS) has been developed based on the accumulated knowledge,
experience and best practices of the PETRONAS group supplementing National and International
standards where appropriate. The key objective of PTS is to ensure standard technical practice across
the PETRONAS group.

Compliance to PTS is compulsory for PETRONAS-operated facilities and Joint Ventures (JVs) where
PETRONAS has more than fifty percent (50%) shareholding and/or operational control, and includes
all phases of work activities.

Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers who use PTS are solely responsible in ensuring the quality of
work, goods and services meet the required design and engineering standards. In the case where
specific requirements are not covered in the PTS, it is the responsibility of the
Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers to propose other proven or internationally established
standards or practices of the same level of quality and integrity as reflected in the PTS.

In issuing and making the PTS available, PETRONAS is not making any warranty on the accuracy or
completeness of the information contained in PTS. The Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers shall
ensure accuracy and completeness of the PTS used for the intended design and engineering
requirement and shall inform the Owner for any conflicting requirement with other international
codes and technical standards before start of any work.

PETRONAS is the sole copyright holder of PTS. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, recording or
otherwise) or be disclosed by users to any company or person whomsoever, without the prior written
consent of PETRONAS.

The PTS shall be used exclusively for the authorised purpose. The users shall arrange for PTS to be
kept in safe custody and shall ensure its secrecy is maintained and provide satisfactory information to
PETRONAS that this requirement is met.
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Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 4
1.1 SCOPE ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERMS..................................................................................................... 4
1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES ............................................................................................... 6
2.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................... 7
3.0 CANDIDATE VESSEL SELECTION .............................................................................. 8
3.1 GENERAL ........................................................................................................................ 8
3.2 STORAGE CAPACITY ....................................................................................................... 8
3.3 DECK SPACE AND PAYLOAD CAPABILITY ....................................................................... 9
3.4 VESSEL CONDITION ........................................................................................................ 9
3.5 AGE .............................................................................................................................. 10
3.6 HULL CONFIGURATION ................................................................................................ 10
4.0 HULL ................................................................................................................... 12
4.1 GENERAL ...................................................................................................................... 12
5.0 MARINE SYSTEM ................................................................................................. 13
5.1 GENERAL ...................................................................................................................... 13
5.2 REQUIREMENTS BY CLASSIFICATION ........................................................................... 14
5.3 REQUIREMENTS BY OTHERS ........................................................................................ 14
6.0 OFFLOADING SYSTEM .......................................................................................... 15
6.1 GENERAL ...................................................................................................................... 15
6.2 TYPE OF OFFLOADING SYSTEM .................................................................................... 15
6.3 OFFLOADING DESIGN CRITERIA AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION ......................... 15
6.4 SHUTTLE OFFLOADING FREQUENCY ............................................................................ 16
7.0 CLASSIFICATION & FLAGGING .............................................................................. 17
7.1 CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................ 17
7.2 FLAGGING REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................................... 17
8.0 LIVING QUARTERS (LQ) ........................................................................................ 18
9.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................... 19
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1.0 INTRODUCTION

This PTS provides the minimum technical requirements for an FPSO/FSO conversion.

In addition to this PTS, the requirements of a recognized international Classification Society

(CLASS) and the relevant international codes and standards shall be met. The CLASS shall be
appointed from the IACS members based on PETRONAS lesson learnt and best practices.

1.1 SCOPE

1.1.1 This PTS is applicable to the conversion of a vessel/tanker into an FPSO/FSO. The scope
includes vessel selection, hull design, classification and flagging requirements.

1.1.2 This PTS does not cover topsides processing facilities and station keeping design.

1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

1.2.1 General Definition of Terms & Abbreviations

Refer to PTS 00.01.03 for PTS Requirements, General Definition Of Terms, Abbreviations &
Reading Guide.

1.2.2 Specific Definition of Terms

None

1.2.3 Specific Abbreviations

No Abbreviation Definition

1 ABS American Bureau of Shipping

2 API American Petroleum Institute

3 BV Bureau Veritas

4 CALM Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring

5 CAP Condition Assessment Program

6 CLASS Classification Society

7 COG Centre of Gravity

8 COLREG Collision Regulations

9 DNV GL Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd

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No Abbreviation Definition

10 DWT Dead Weight Tonnage

11 FPSO Floating Production, Storage and Offloading

12 FSO Floating Storage and Offloading

13 HEL Helideck

14 IACS International Association of Classification Societies

15 IALA International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and

Lighthouse Authorities

16 ICCP Impressed Current Cathodic Protection

17 IG Inert Gas

18 ILO International Labour Organization

19 IMO International Maritime Organization

20 ITB Invitation to Bid

21 LR Lloyd's Register

22 LSA Life Saving Appliances

23 LQ Living Quarters

24 MARPOL Marine Pollution

25 MEPC Marine Environment Protection Committee

26 MSO Malaysia Shipping Ordinance

27 MWS Marine Warranty Surveyor

28 POSA Position Mooring Systems

29 PTS PETRONAS Technical Standards

30 SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea

31 UWILD Under Water Inspection in Lieu of Dry-docking

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No Abbreviation Definition

32 VLCC Very Large Crude Carrier

33 ULCC Ultra Large Crude Carrier

34 UTM Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement

Table 1.1: Specific Abbreviations

1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This PTS 11.03.03 (December 2018) replaces PTS 11.03.03 (April 2015).
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2.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The FPSO, including the hull, machinery, equipment and outfitting, shall be designed and
constructed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the CLASS. The FPSO shall
maintain the CLASS throughout contract period.

The minimum CLASS notation shall be equivalent to I ✠Hull, ✠ Mach, ✠ POSA, Offshore
Service Barge/Ship - Oil Production/Storage, IG, HEL, Spectral Fatigue (), LSA, INWATER
SURVEY, {Field Name} Offshore {Country Name}.

Additional notation for any study conducted, e.g. 3D finite element for structural assessment
should be obtained from CLASS for optimization.

The principle objective to be considered in the FPSO/FSO hull conversion is to establish an

FPSO/FSO hull conversion which fulfils the Owner and Classification Society requirements to
conduct an efficient operation with full recognition of safety, economy, service life and
environment.
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3.0 CANDIDATE VESSEL SELECTION

3.1 GENERAL

3.1.1 The candidate vessel for FPSO/FSO conversion is an oil tanker/export tanker which shall
meet Ship Rules or Offshore Installation rules.

3.1.2 The tanker selection process should include the review of the following data:

i. As built drawings;

ii. UTM reports, survey and inspections records;

iii. Tanker trading history;

iv. Operation and maintenance practice;

3.1.3 These data shall provide Owner the information on high tensile steel usage, corrosion
severity, substantial corroded areas, typical defects i.e. fatigue, buckling, high stressed areas
etc.

3.2 STORAGE CAPACITY

3.2.1 Candidate vessel shall be able to provide sufficient storage required by a project. The
storage capacity requirement should consider the following criteria: -

i. Production rate;

ii. A minimum offloading frequency:

a) Fifteen (15) days and three (3) days buffer for Panamax and Aframax size;
b) Twelve (12) days and three (3) days buffer for Suezmax, VLCC & ULCC size;

iii. Unavailability of one (1) tank due for inspection;

iv. Shuttle tanker size (minimum offloading parcel of 200,000 barrel can be
assumed unless specified by Owner).

3.2.2 Storage for segregated ballast, off spec tanks, off-spec produced water etc must be taken
into consideration.
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3.3 DECK SPACE AND PAYLOAD CAPABILITY

3.3.1 Candidate vessel shall be able to provide sufficient deck space to accomodate topside
process modules.

Category Tonnage Range Dimensions Storage Capacity Deck Area

(DWTx1000) (LxWxD)(m) (bblx1000) (m2)

Product Tanker 10 – 60 226x24x8 56 – 336 3690

Panamax 60 – 80 229x32x13 336 – 448 5020

Aframax 80 – 120 245x34x20 448 – 672 5660

Suezmax 120 – 200 285x48x23 672 – 1120 9300

VLCC 180 – 320 330x58x28 1120 – 1792 13000

ULCC 320 - 550 415x63x35 1792 - 3080 17700

Table 3.1: Typical Parameters for Oil Tanker
NOTE(S):

i. Dimensions presented are for typical tanker size only. Exact dimensions depend more on tonnage capacity.

ii. Storage capacity is estimated at 80% of tanker’s DWT.

iii. Open deck area is estimated at 80% of tanker’s deck area.

iv. DWT inclusive of cargo, ballast, topsides payload, risers and mooring loads etc.

v. It is worth to note that topsides payloads and other loads due to risers and station keeping system may
have an impact on overall process of tanker selection.

vi. Topsides modules shall fit the available deck space. The vessel must sufficiently stable to cater for topsides
COG.

vii. The size of selected vessel should be able to withstand station keeping's load from site specific metocean
data.

3.4 VESSEL CONDITION

3.4.1 The candidate vessel shall have minimum CAP rating of 2 (Good condition).

3.4.2 The CAP report shall be valid during evaluation period of the candidate vessel and shall not
be more than two (2) years old.

3.4.3 The vessel historical survey records, the latest thickness gauging report and complete
operational records shall also be made available for reference by Owner or party appointed
by Owner.
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3.5 AGE

3.5.1 The age of Candidate vessel shall have the following maximum age from the date of Bid
Proposal/ITB submitted by Contractor: -

Design Life Maximum Candidate Vessel’s Age

Less than 5 years 30 years

Between 5 to 15 years 20 years

More than 15 years 15 years

Table 2.2: Maximum Candidate Vessel’s Age According to Design Life

3.5.2 Up to an additional five (5) years of vessel age may be considered subject to special review
and approval obtained prior to the selection process. The following reports shall be
submitted for Owner’s review:

i. Complete vessel inspection report showing detailed thickness gauging;

ii. Full CAP report by CLASS;

iii. Vessel trading history report;

iv. Stability and hull girder strength report;

v. Detailed global strength analysis report;

vi. Fatigue analysis report demonstrating the feasibility for the vessel life
extension.

3.5.3 All the above reports shall not be more than two (2) years old for them to be valid for the
evaluation of the candidate vessel.

3.6 HULL CONFIGURATION

3.6.1 The FPSO/FSO should be double sided.

3.6.2 Double Hull is recommended to address the risk of oil spill due to collision. Risk assessment
shall be carried out by the Project Management Team to support a decision to use Single
Hull configuration. Selection of hull configuration must comply with specific applicable
regional requirement.

3.6.3 A Double Hull configuration shall be used for the following cases:

i. The FPSO in its operational life is designed for sailing/towing, e.g. the FPSO
with disconnectable turret which will be towed away from its location after
being disconnected during harsh environment.
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ii. The FPSO is subject to a higher risk of bottom collision or grounding e.g.
operated at heavy ice region or too shallow water depth.

iii. Applicable international (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL, LOADLINE, TONNAGE,

COLREG), coastal state, flag state, or classification requirement for double hull
cannot be waived.
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4.0 HULL

4.1 GENERAL

4.1.1 FPSO/FSO is expected to be at station for the duration of design life of FPSO/FSO without
dry docking. The UWILD notation shall be obtained from CLASS.

4.1.2 The design life shall cover its in-service period or its leasing period as minimum.

4.1.3 The additional notation SPECTRAL FATIGUE shall be assigned by CLASS during conversion
and refurbishment for FPSO/FSO with more than 15 years design life. The design fatigue life
shall be verified in accordance to fatigue criteria specified in CLASS Rules. The design fatigue
life depends on the minimum remaining fatigue life expected from the time of conversion.
Steel renewal and structural modification shall be carried out to ensure sufficient fatigue life
and corrosion allowance to allow FPSO/FSO to support continuous operation at site. The
fatigue life of critical details and welded joints in FPSO/FSO must meet Class Rules
requirement.

4.1.4 All design of repair and engineering for conversion shall be in accordance to Class
requirements and international codes & standards.

4.1.5 A fully functional cathodic protection system made up a designed-for-purpose of impressed

current (ICCP) and/or sacrificial anodes for the hull are required besides application of
marine coating. Designer has to take into consideration lifecycle cost and maintainability
into consideration. Similar consideration has to be given for ballast tanks & cooling water
tanks. All applied antifouling coatings should be copper free and IMO compliant. The design
of cathodic protection system shall also in accordance to Class requirements and
international codes & standards.

4.1.6 The hull structure assessment should cover the strength of global and local structures. It
should include yielding, buckling, ultimate strength and fatigue. The following limit states
shall be used as reference for hull structure component.

Hull Component Yielding Buckling Ultimate Strength Fatigue

Hull Girder   

Plating  

Ordinary Stiffeners   

Primary supporting  

Structural Details  
Table 3.3: Limit states for hull structure component
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5.0 MARINE SYSTEM

5.1 GENERAL

Marine system for a typical FPSO/FSO shall include but not limited to the following: -

i. Electrical power system for generation and distribution;

ii. Ship control system;

iii. Ballast system;

iv. Bilge system;

v. Inert gas system;

vi. Offloading system;

vii. Sea-chest system;

viii. Potable water system;

ix. Diesel storage and handling system;

x. Mechanical handling system;

xi. Firewater and firefighting system;

xii. Cargo heating system;

xiii. Firefighting system;

xiv. Propulsion/Thruster system (If FPSO/FSO design life at a field is less than 5 years,
the propulsion system should be maintained for transportation activity);

xv. Cargo tank system;

xvi. Fire & Gas detection system;

xvii. Public Address & Alarm System (PAGA);

xviii. Communication system;

xxiii. Crude oil washing system;

xxiv. Man riding crane;

xxv. Towing arrangement (Smith bracket, panama choke, winches);

xxvi. Chain stopper (spread mooring system);

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xxvii. Turret (single point mooring).

5.2 REQUIREMENTS BY CLASSIFICATION

5.2.1 As minimum, hull and mooring shall be classed in accordance to classification society under
IACS. System data and plan must be submitted for approval and surveyor must do inspection
during installation and commissioning.

5.2.2 All design of repair and engineering for conversion shall be in accordance to Class
requirements under IACS and international industrial practice.

5.2.3 Marine system shall be also certified by classification society under IACS.

5.2.4 Thickness measurement for all piping systems e.g. ballast line, fuel line, cargo line, etc. shall
be performed during conversion and refurbishment activity.

5.2.5 Leak test for marine piping shall be conducted in accordance to CLASS requirement for all
piping system prior to commission of the system.

5.3 REQUIREMENTS BY OTHERS

5.3.1 Besides verification and certification done by Classification Society, Contractor shall ensure
the following requirements to be met but not limited to: -

i. National Authorities;

ii. Flag State rules and regulations;

iii. Statutory regulations include SOLAS, MARPOL, COLREG, IMO and Loadline;

iv. Industry codes & standards i.e. API.

The order of precedence shall be according to the above sequence.

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6.0 OFFLOADING SYSTEM

6.1 GENERAL

6.1.1 Offloading operation of FPSO/FSO can be done using tandem, side-by-side or remote CALM
terminal.

6.2 TYPE OF OFFLOADING SYSTEM

6.2.1 Side-by-side offloading operation is an option for benign and moderate wave climate. It is not
an acceptable method for offloading at the area which experienced long swells and
uncorrelated wind and current events.

6.2.2 Tandem offloading can be suitable for higher sea environments. It is recommended for single
point mooring FPSO with either external or internal turret.

6.2.3 For spread moored FPSO/FSO, tandem offloading is feasible, however risk evaluation of
potential ship collision shall be studied and proper limiting environmental envelop shall be
developed.

6.2.4 For remote CALM terminal, it allows the shuttle tanker to weathervane around the CALM buoy
and rapid connect and disconnect. Due to risk of collision, the CALM buoy need to be located
away from the FPSO/FSO in an area where the shuttle tanker is free to weathervane. The
optimum distance between the FPSO/FSO and the CALM buoy shall be determined based on
engineering analysis and Risk Assessment.

6.3 OFFLOADING DESIGN CRITERIA AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION

6.3.1 The design limits are usually not to be less than one (1) year return periods for the site specific
condition. Offloading operations shall be possible in environments up to the seastate limit
defined for the specific field.

6.3.2 For side-by-side offloading operation, the following seastate is recommended:

i. shuttle tanker connection, up to Hs = 2.5m;

ii. shuttle tanker disconnection, up to Hs = 3.5m.

6.3.3 For tandem offloading operation, the following seastate is recommended:

i. shuttle tanker connection, up to Hs = 3.0m;

ii. shuttle tanker disconnection, up to Hs = 3.5m.

6.3.4 For remote CALM terminal, the following seastate is recommended:

i. shuttle tanker connection, up to Hs = 2.5m;

ii. shuttle tanker disconnection, up to Hs = 3.5m.
6.3.5 The final seastate limitation shall be based on field specific engineering analysis.
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6.4 SHUTTLE OFFLOADING FREQUENCY

The offloading frequency is determined by the field production, FPSO/FSO storage capacity
and the size of shuttle tanker. (Refer Section 3.2 for the details)
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7.0 CLASSIFICATION & FLAGGING

7.1 CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

7.1.1 Classification provides independent third party verification by Classification Society (e.g. ABS,
DNV GL, LR, BV etc.) with an aim to ensure it complies with the rules and standards throughout
its life. It is a requirement for all FPSO/FSO conversion.

7.1.2 The minimum scope of Classification should be the hull (strength, subdivision, stability),
mooring (lines, connectors, anchors) and utilities (marine system, cargo transfer). For
unconventional type of vessel to be used, Contractor shall get approval from Owner on
classification matter.

7.1.3 All minimum class notation requirement shall follow Classification Society (e.g. ABS, DNV, LR,
BV etc.)

7.2 FLAGGING REQUIREMENTS

7.2.1 Flagging requirement depends on country regulation which the FPSO/FSO to be stationed/
sited.

7.2.2 For Malaysia project, all FPSO/FSO shall be registered as Malaysia Flag. The requirement shall
be referred to PTS 11.03.07, Section 3.1.

7.2.3 For international project, in a case of no requirement of flagging by the host country, the
FPSO/FSO should be flagged to Malaysia Flag.

7.2.4 If it is flagged, it shall meet the requirements of flag-state regulations.

7.2.5 The fire control and safety plan shall be in dual language, i.e. English and the local language,
as per SOLAS requirement.
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8.0 LIVING QUARTERS (LQ)

The design and refurbishment of living quarters (LQ) shall meet the following requirements:

i. IMO International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS);

ii. ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006);

iii. ILO 1992;

iv. Malaysia Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 or local country

requirements where the FPSO/FSO is operated;

v. PTS 11.22.04 Design of Offshore Living Quarters.

For the accommodation certification, the issuance by CLASS can be classified under ILO ‘92 or
MLC 2006.

The LQ shall not contain any asbestos insulation materials. Any such material shall be removed
prior to the conversion and asbestos-free certificate shall be issued in accordance with SOLAS
Regulation.

The Passive and Active Fire Protection shall be in accordance to the SOLAS and CLASS Rules.
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9.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY

In this PTS, reference is made to the following Standards/Publications. Unless specifically

designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used, together with any
supplements/revisions thereto:

PETRONAS TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Index to PTS PTS 00.01.01
General Definition of Terms, Abbreviations & Reading Guide PTS 00.01.03
Pedestal-Mounted Cranes For Offshore PTS 12.23.01
Quality Management for Projects PTS 19.60.01
Oil Loading and Discharge Hoses for Offshore Mooring PTS 20.50.01
Installations

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND INDUSTRIAL PRACTICES

Guide for Building and Classing Floating Production ABS, July 2007
Installations
Recommended Practice for Planning, Designing and API RP 2FPS
Constructing Floating Production System
Recommendations on the Marking of Man-Made Offshore IALA O-139, Dec 2013
Structures
Maritime Labour Convention ILO, 2006
Accommodation of Crews ILO Convention No. 92
Accommodation of Crews (Supplementary Provisions) ILO Convention No. 133
Convention
Revised Specification for Oil Tankers with Dedicated Clean IMO Resolution A.495 (XII)
Ballast Tanks
Rules and Recommendations of Permissible Noise Level IMO Resolution A.468 (XII)
Code for The Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore IMO, 2001
Drilling Units
International Life-Saving Appliances (LSA Code) IMO, 2010
International Code for the Application of Fire Test Procedures IMO, 2010
(FTP Code)
Prevention of Oil Pollution in the Event of Collision of MARPOL ANNEX I,
Stranding – Measures for Existing Tankers Regulation 13G
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Requirement for the Cargo Area of Oil Tankers, Part A, MARPOL ANNEX I, Chapter
Construction 4, Regulation 18
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from MARPOL, 1973
Ships, as modified by the Protocol of 1978, all Resolutions
and Amendments thereto, including MEPC 406
Safety of Life at Sea, Consolidated Edition SOLAS, 2014
Radio Regulations (Complement the Constitution and the ITU, 2001
Convention of the International Telecommunication Union)
International Convention on Tonnage Measurement 1969
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972
International Convention on Load Lines 1996