Hanoi, Vietnam: Regulation on classification and technical supervision of mobile offshore units in Vietnam

Issuance of regulation on classification and technical supervision of mobile offshore units in Vietnam

Issued along with this Circular, National Technical Regulation on the classification and technical supervision of mobile offshore units in Vietnam. (Registration Code: QCVN 48:2024/BGTVT)

These National Technical Regulation stipulate the technical safety and environmental protection for mobile offshore units used for oil and gas activities in the seas of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Subjects of application: These standards apply to organizations and individuals involved in the management, technical safety inspection, and environmental protection (hereinafter referred to as inspection), design, new construction, modification, repair, operation, and exploitation of mobile offshore units.

Some terms in these standards are explained as follows:

- Mobile offshore unit (Mobile offshore unit):

A mobile offshore unit (abbreviated as unit) is a floating structure specifically used for oil and gas exploration and exploitation at sea.

Mobile offshore units include: self-elevating units, column-stabilized units, surface-type units.

- Self-elevating unit (Self-elevating unit):

A self-elevating unit is a unit with movable legs capable of raising the unit’s hull above sea level and lowering the hull back to sea level.

- Column-stabilized unit (Column-stabilized unit):

A column-stabilized unit is a unit with a main deck connected to the submerged body or bases by columns or hollow pillars. A column-stabilized unit designed to operate offshore either in a floating mode or resting on the seabed is called a semi-submersible unit. A column-stabilized unit designed to operate offshore only in the fully resting on the seabed mode is called a submersible unit.

- Surface-type unit (Surface-Type Unit):

A surface-type unit is a unit with a single or multi-hull design intended for drilling operations in a floating condition. Surface-type units include: ship-type units, barge-type units.

• Ship-type unit (Ship-type unit): A ship-type unit is a surface-type unit with a propulsion system (self-propelled). The ship-type unit is also known as a drillship.

• Barge-type unit (Barge-type unit): A barge-type unit is a surface-type unit without a propulsion system (non-self-propelled).

More details can be found in Circular 24/2024/TT-BGTVT which comes into force in Vietnam from February 1, 2024.

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