Offshore platforms – A Commissioning Trip

Somewhere in South-East-Asia. It’s early in the morning.
The sun is about to rise and dense fog settles on the airport.

A group of 20 platform workers, including two INDUSTRONIC commissioners, gathers round a helicopter waiting for them to take off.

Only ten kilos baggage per person are allowed.
Baggage that has to contain everything needed during the next two weeks due to the limited space on the platform.

After all things have been packed away, the whole crew is ready for take-off to an offshore facility in the middle of the sea.

During the flight, the commissioners remember how they had to prepare themselves for this trip. One of the preparations was taking part in several days of training regarding offshore safety matters according to international standards (OPITO, NOGEPA).

But here and now, after a short flight, they land safely at their destination.

The new arrivals are led to their cabins that accommodate two to four persons at a time.

Then, the crew as well as our commissioning team can move on to explore the facilities: canteen, (open air) kitchen, dormitories and a sickbay. Sometimes there is even a fitness room.

And our two commissioners discover even more:
A support vessel storing food has dropped anchor next to the platform to make sure that all platform workers receive sufficient catering (five times a day!).

Furthermore, the commissioners learn that supplementary platform workers also sleep on the support vessel. Those workers are lifted in a basket onto the platform with the help of a crane in the morning and back to the vessel in the evening.

During their two-week commissioning stay our two INDUSTRONIC commissioners can arrange their time and work independently. Moreover the commissioners can move about freely on the platform.

The only rule they have to adhere to is to wear safety clothes (hardly inflammable clothes, safety shoes and safety helmets) all the time, as safety is taken very seriously on offshore platforms.

It is reassuring to know that the platform is equipped with lifeboats. And, for the worst case scenario, every platform is additionally staffed with its own team of fire fighters.

The tasks of this commissioning job include testing of all functions of the PA/GA system as well as of the corresponding terminal equipment such as loudspeakers and flashing beacons. On offshore platforms, the PA/GA system is usually configured redundantly, as safety for personnel and environment has top priority. Furthermore all alarm contacts and the fire detection system are tested for their proper functioning. The entire wiring must be checked to eliminate potential faults. There is also the option to evaluate and compare the values of a sound study calculated prior to the commissioning with the speech intelligibility under real conditions on the platform.

Usually commissioning lasts up to two weeks, but longer stays can be scheduled if required.

While the INDUSTRONIC service team leaves after completing the commissioning successfully, the other platform workers are exchanged with new shift workers.

Again, baggage is packed. And again the helicopter is waiting for its passengers.

Back on firm ground, final good byes are waved and then our commissioners drive back to the hotel and to their flight back home, looking forward to their next trip.

Have you ever spent time on an offshore platform?

Please let us know about your experience!

INDUSTRONIC commissioner  INDUSTRONIC commissioner  INDUSTRONIC commissioner

One thought to “Offshore platforms – A Commissioning Trip”

  • Mukesh Shah

    Yes, way back in 1987 I spent time offshore on a exploration rig which is almost like a platform for fifteen days at a stretch for commissioning of the PA system. The location of the rig was in Bombay High Seas and the task was to replace an existing system which came with the rig from Japan and was no longer supported. The trip to the rig by a Helicopter was exciting and worth an experience. Once on the rig, the communication to the rest of world (those days) was quite difficult. The only way to send a message back home was by requesting the Radio Operator to pass the message to another radio operator on the base – on shore by radio and then he/she would convey the message to your office or home. The entertainment was the Video Cassette recorder with Bollywood movies. The food was a fixed menu for each day and it was fun to do exercise on the heli-deck each morning with like minded group and see the clear blue water all around!
    Wonderful experience I can hardly forget even after decades!!

    Reply

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