2014 Stallcup's Off-Shore Electrical Requirements

The economics of modern offshore facilities have caused a significant increase in the complexity of marine platform electrical systems. The corresponding increase in the use of electric power and electrical and electronic controls demand a better understanding of electrical principles in order to promote human safety and aid in the prevention of fire or explosion. 

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Many items of electrical equipment represent a potential ignition source if exposed to a fuel source; however, properly designed and maintained electrical equipment can be safely applied even where hazardous gases or vapors are present. On offshore platforms, particular emphasis must be placed on electrical installations because of the presence of hydrocarbons, the close confines, and the adverse environmental conditions. Because of safety considerations and governmental rules and regulations, it is essential that future installations comply with applicable codes and regulations and that the integrity of existing systems be maintained. 

 

Prior to 1971 there literally were no electrical regulations to follow (except for safety of life at sea requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard, i.e. NAVAID lights, and abandon platform alarms) for installations that were in fact outside of state boundaries and located in federal waters. 

 

In 1971, the United States Department of the Interior through the United States Geological Survey Conservation Division (USGS) made compliance with the National Electrical Code mandatory in offshore federal waters of the Outer Continental Shelf (thus the term USGS OCS Orders). 

 

These regulations also require that facilities located on the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States be electrically classified in accordance with the American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP500 titled, “Classification of Areas for Electrical Installations at Drilling Rigs and Production Facilities on land and on Marine Fixed and Mobile Platforms.”

CHAPTER 1: ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

CHAPTER 2: HUMAN SAFETY

CHAPTER 3: CLASSIFICATION

OF AREAS 

CHAPTER 4: CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF HAZARDOUS AREA ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 

CHAPTER 5: CONSTRUCTION

METHODS 

CHAPTER 6: REPAIRS AND

TEMPORARY WIRING 

CHAPTER 7: CONDUIT, CABLE SEALS AND SEALING METHODS 

CHAPTER 8: ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS 

CHAPTER 9: LOCKOUT/TAGOUT 

CHAPTER 10: ELECTRICAL AND DRAWING SPECIFICATIONS 

CHAPTER 11: DESIGN AND INSTALLATION EXAMPLES 

APPENDIX 

A DEFINITIONS 

B ACRONYMS 

C ABBREVIATIONS 

D INFORMATION TABLES 

TOPIC INDEX