PSA Norway issued an order to Aker BP which requires the company to obtain consent before using a walk-to-work (W2W) vessel on Tambar. Aker wants to use the W2W to accommodate personnel due to carry out work on the normally unmanned Tambar facility.
A dialogue has been conducted by the PSA with Aker BP for a time, where the company has explained its intentions to use a walk-to-work vessel with a motion-compensated gangway for accommodating personnel due to carry out work on the normally unmanned Tambar facility.
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PSA considered that use of the vessel outside the current regulatory framework. It said that:
As the plans for the activity have been presented to the PSA, the main activity for the vessel will be accommodation rather than transport. Mobile units used for accommodation in the petroleum sector are to be regarded as facilities within the meaning of the Petroleum Act.
In order for Aker BP to obtain the application for consent, this must contain the following:
- Description of the vessel’s design and systems for stability and positioning, based on chapter 6 of circular RSV 17-2016 from the Norwegian Maritime Authority, vessel category A and minimum DP class 2.
- Description of how transport routes (gangways and possible cranes) between facility and vessel are designed to ensure that material handling and personnel traffic can take place in an efficient and prudent manner, based on the following references: DNVGL-ST-0358 for strength dimensioning and attachment to the vessel; DNVGL-RU-SHIP, Part 6, Chapter 5, Section 16; Norsok R-002, chapters 1-5.
- Results of an analysis of working environment conditions for personnel executing work on Tambar, including when they are on the vessel.
- Statement from the elected union officers for the workers.
The application must be submitted no later than three weeks before the planned start of the activity. Aker BP must have the consent before the activity begins.
