RMRS revises Rules for the Classification and Construction of Subsea Production Systems

The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) has published revised Rules for the Classification and Construction of Subsea Production Systems.

The present edition of these Rules is based on the Rules for the Classification and Construction of Subsea Production Systems, 2017, taking into account the additions and amendments developed immediately before publication.

This document was published on January 1st, 2023, and came into force on the same date. It supersedes the 2017 edition of the Rules.

The present Rules apply to the following Subsea Production Systems (SPS) elements:

• foundations and bases;
• protective structures;
• subsea wellhead equipment;
• flowlines, subsea pipelines and risers;
• umbilicals;
• well fluid gathering and treatment systems;
• power supply systems;
• systems for monitoring, control and emergency protection.

The requirements contained in the present Rules refer to the following:

• classification of SPS;
• list of documentation for the SPS required during review of the oil-and gas field;
• construction projects;
• list of the nomenclature of items of the Register technical supervision;
• general requirements for designing of SPS including design load values;
• Register technical supervision during construction and operation of the SPS, as well as during manufacture of materials and products for them;
• procedures of the Register technical supervision for the SPS elements listed above;
• safety assessment of SPS.

The Rules apply during design, construction, operation and confirmation of compliance of the SPS with regard to the set level of safety, of no environmental pollution when performing operations on production, gathering, treatment, processing and transportation of well fluids, as well as during assessment of risks of the relevant critical events.

The Rules establish classes of the SPS which may be assigned to these objects if they comply with the requirements of the present Rules and have to be confirmed provided the Register performs technical supervision.

The Rules may be used by all the organizations and firms which activities are associated with the SPS design and manufacture, construction and development of hydrocarbon fields on the continental shelf irrespective of their departmental affiliation and form of ownership.

In case an organization or a firm has decided to apply the Rules on a voluntary basis, all the requirements of the Rules shall be met.

The Rules may be applied to the SPS built without the Register technical supervision, for the purpose of survey, class assignment, confirmation of compliance and technical supervision in service.

In such cases, the Register has a right to require performance of special tests, as well as to reduce intervals between periodical surveys or extend the scope of these surveys.

The special tests mean such tests which may be specified by the RS when classing the SPS, in addition to tests conducted during periodical surveys. The content of the special tests is specified by the RS.

The SPS constructed and installed according to other rules, regulations and standards may be approved by the Register alternatively or in addition to the Rules.

In wellgrounded cases, the SPS shall be brought into line with the Rules within the time limits agreed upon with the Register.

The present Rules do not apply to subsea structures, systems and equipment intended for drilling wells.

If the SPS equipment includes foundations and devices intended for connection to drilling equipment for drilling additional wells with subsea completion after commissioning of the SPS, the present Rules apply to these foundations and devices but do not apply to the drilling equipment to be connected.

The Rules apply to subsea structures, systems and equipment used to introduce into a well with subsea completion of special tool intended for downhole performance, but do not cover this tool.

The Rules apply to subsea structures, systems and equipment intended to ensure surveys of the SPS elements and engineering underwater works thereon with the use of diving equipment and/o r submersibles but do not cover the diving equipment and submersibles.

The fulfillment of the requirements of the Rules does not discharge of meeting the requirements of national supervisory bodies for the SPS including those for:

• oil and gas equipment for production, processing and transportation of well fluids on the sea shelf at the stages of designing, manufacture, certification, installation, welding, testing and operation and utilization of this equipment;
• underwater potentially hazardous objects in the internal waters and territorial seas of the Russian Federation.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

Rules for the Classification and Construction of Subsea Production Systems