Member News: V-TES Implements Standalone Circuits for Oil Heaters on a Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel in the North Sea

January 30, 2025
Member News: V-TES Implements Standalone Circuits for Oil Heaters on a Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel in the North Sea

Identifying the Challenge

During the design and construction phase of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel operating in the North Sea, it was discovered that the oil heaters situated in six separate External Air Conditioning Units (ACUs) were being powered by the nearest emergency lighting circuit. This setup presented significant safety and operational risks.

Issues Identified

Several key concerns arose from this improper electrical configuration:

  • Safety Hazards: The emergency lighting circuit was not designed to handle the additional load from the oil heaters, increasing the risk of circuit overloads and potential failures.
  • Operational Inefficiencies: The existing setup compromised the reliability of both the oil heaters and the emergency lighting system, potentially impacting critical operations.
  • Regulatory Non-Compliance: Using emergency lighting circuits for unintended purposes could lead to non-compliance with industry and safety regulations.

Engineering the Solution

To address these issues, V-TES mobilized an experienced engineer to conduct a thorough survey of the electrical system. The investigation focused on identifying new cable routes and assessing the feasibility of rerouting the electrical supply to establish standalone circuits for the oil heaters.

The solution involved:

  • Rerouting Electrical Supply: New cable routes were identified, ensuring proper connections to the ACU Control Panel distribution board.
  • Developing a Comprehensive Work Pack: A detailed plan was created, including job cards, destruct and construct drawings, and single-line diagrams to guide the new installation.
  • Procuring Necessary Materials: All essential components were acquired to facilitate the installation process.
  • Deploying a Skilled Team: A three-man rope access electrical team was mobilized to carry out the installation and commissioning of the new standalone circuits.

Successful Implementation

The new electrical supply for the oil heaters was successfully installed and commissioned, ensuring independent operation from the emergency lighting circuit. This enhancement significantly improved safety and reliability aboard the FPSO vessel. By implementing standalone circuits, V-TES eliminated the risk of circuit overloads, improved operational efficiency, and ensured compliance with industry standards.

For more information, contact V-TES: T: +44 (0) 1224 791 638
E: [email protected]
W: v-tes.com

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