OFFSHORE PLATFORM RE-CERTIFICATION & LIFE EXTENSION
Keeping existing offshore structures in good repair. Securing a second life for ageing offshore structures

During their lifecycle, offshore structures are typically recertified after a major survey. This occurs:
- either when this recertification is required by national regulations
- or when major changes – field development, production capacity increase, tie-back of subsea wells etc. – are carried out on these structures.
Recently, due to a change in economic conditions - and an increase in oil & gas recovery possibilities, operators often want to continue exploiting platforms beyond their 20-year designed lifecycle instead of investing in a new platform.
The challenge is to continue to use, in satisfactory safety conditions, those offshore platforms that have reached the end of their designed lifetime and have this extended use approved by statutory authorities.

What is Offshore Platform Re-certification & Life Extension?
From Initial Certification to Platform Life Extension

Certification of an offshore platform is based on the initial design and construction appraisal, the actual construction phase, and then includes periodical follow-up surveys. Bureau Veritas maintains records of design and fabrication documents, as well as the model of the structure used to check the design suitability and to identify critical parts. Recertification along platform design lifetime, based upon major periodic surveys, is ensured through a very smooth recertifiction process made possible by the inspection of assets by Bureau Veritas on a regular basis. However, when the platform is ageing, and is planned to remain in service longer than this design lifetime, a comprehensive re-appraisal of the platform conditions should be carried out before any lifetime extension.This re appraisal takes into account the actual condition of structure and, during the analysis phase, also uses recent metocean data and calculation methods that are more scientifically advanced than those used during the initial certification.

What are the key benefits?
Whether re-certifications are issued after a major modification, or to extend an offshore platform’s usage according to statutory requirements, they provide:
- A new or continued License to Operate
- Reduction in amount of repairs and reinforcements needed
- Confidence for the operator, regulatory agencies and surrounding community that the platform is safe and reliable