API Offshore Structure Standards Set

Offshore Structures Standards

API is pleased to announce the publication of five standards, four of which are brand new, related to the design, construction, and maintenance of offshore structures used for oil and gas drilling, and production operations. The publication of these standards further emphasizes the industry's goal to regularly improve the design criteria for offshore structures, accounting for the continuous changing conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. These standards include the following.

RP 2A-WSD, 22nd Edition — Planning, Designing, and Constructing Fixed Offshore Platforms—Working Stress Design: This document is based on global industry best practices, and serves as a guide for those concerned with the design and construction of new fixed offshore platforms. API RP 2A-WSD also addresses the relocation of existing platforms used for the drilling, development, production, and storage of hydrocarbons in offshore areas.

RP 2MET, 1st Edition — Derivation of Metocean Design and Operating Conditions: This document gives general requirements for the determination and use of meteorological and oceanographic (metocean) conditions for the design, construction and operation for all types of offshore structures used in the petroleum and natural gas industry.

RP 2GEO, 1st Edition — Geotechnical and Foundation Design Considerations: This document contains requirements and recommendations for those aspects of geoscience and foundation engineering that are applicable to a broad range of offshore structures.

RP 2EQ, 1st Edition — Seismic Design Procedures and Criteria for Offshore Structures: This document contains requirements for defining the seismic design procedures and criteria for fixed offshore structures. These requirements are applicable to fixed steel structures and fixed concrete structures. The effects of seismic events on floating structures and partially buoyant structures are also discussed.

RP 2SIM, 1st Edition — Structural Integrity Management of Fixed Offshore Structures: This document provides guidance for the structural integrity management (SIM) of existing fixed offshore structures used for the drilling, development, production, and storage of hydrocarbons in offshore areas. Specific guidance is provided for the evaluation of structural damage, above- and below-water structural inspection, fitness-for-purpose assessment, risk reduction, mitigation planning, and the process of decommissioning.