Offshore Support Industry
Offshore Support Industry is an easy-to-read reference for those who want an overview of the technical and commercial issues involved in the chartering, ownership and management of offshore vessels. Complete with maps, diagrams and photographs, this book covers everything from the role of the support vessel to knowledge of the wider offshore industry, including exploration and production of oil and gas, together with expanded coverage of offshore renewables.
Contractually, an offshore vessel charter may share many aspects with a conventional charter party; indeed most current contracts were adapted from existing documents. But the nature of the work of offshore vessels and the environment in which they work places them in a category that requires industry-specific issues to be addressed. This has consequences for the management of vessel operations and for the information that shipbrokers need in order to operate within the industry. Offshore Support Industry also details contractual and commercial variations that are specific to this industry.
VESSELS
Origins and influences on offshore vessel design, emergence of dedicated industry needs, relevance of differing geographic requirements
Vessel types and design, differing characteristics and equipment requirements, evolvement in response to changing market requirements, effect of environmental issues
Fleet profiles/development, global geographic distribution of industry influence,reasons for development of specialist sector skills for vessel design and construction
OIL & GAS BUSINESS
Exploration and related activities including surveying requirements and drilling activities, Jackups, semi submersibles, drillships, Tender rigs
Construction relating to installations, platforms, pipelines, umbilicals, well heads and infrastructure, risers, moorings and associated requirements
Production and platforms (fixed and floating), FPSO’s, FSU’s, offtake/loading buoys, shuttle tankers and other production phase units, production drilling, field enhancement
Maintenance and De-commissioning work, other related tasks and issues
WORLD REGIONAL MARKETS
Breakdown of regional markets, geographic coverage, relevance of vessel types and numbers, effects of remote locations
Regulatory regimes, cabotage and crewing aspects
Geographic influences, effect of regional/local conditions
Political aspects, environmental issues
CHARTERING MARKETS
Supply and demand, factors affecting the markets, global and local influences, effects of fiscal regimes, political, national and other influences, subletting
Spot and term markets, relevance and optimal use, variations in commercial and operational practices
Role of the Broker, methods of working, legal, tactical and ethical aspects, differing markets, sale & purchase, newbuilding, bareboat, lease purchase, scrapping
Types of Charterers and Owners, Contractors and logistics companies as principals
WORKSHOPS
Runs and Scope of work, capabilities of vessels and their systems, IMO requirements
Cargoes and specialised requirements/differing work roles, pipe carrying, anchor handling, towage and salvage, support work, standby duties, survey work, sub-sea work, diving support, ROV support, heavy lift, rig moves
Marine logistics
OFFSHORE CONSTRUCTION
Pipeline installations – rigid/flexible, risers/umbilicals, cable installation
Accomodation units
Platform installation, heavy lift/derrick barges and other types
FPSO installations, mooring systems, suction anchors, subsea manifold/template installations
Well head installations and subsea infrastructure
Alongside mooring, DP, mooring systems, gangway connections
CONTRACTS & COMMERCIAL ASPECTS
Contract features, maintenance days, termination provisions, substitute vessels, iiquidated damages, sub-letting, profit share mechanisms
The Knock for Knock principle
Indemnities, Hold Harmless agreements
Charter forms used, industry charter forms available, relevant differences, other contracts
HSE & SECURITY
HSE environment, safety management
Legislative requirements, compliance procedures, security issues and requirements
Hazardous Cargoes, categories, characteristics
Vessel audits, industry standard format, surveys, incident reporting
OSV MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
The nature of OSV management
Propulsion systems, anchor handling, cargo handling systems
Stowage of dry and liquid bulk products, tank cleaning, deck cargoes, special handling and hazardous cargoes
Technical developments, vessel improvements, environmental changes
GENERAL
Factors for change in the offshore industry, technology, vessel size and design, environmental effects and legislation
Taxation, Crewing and experience levels, insurance
Offshore industry terms and abbreviations