(a) All new fixed or bottom-founded platforms that meet any of the following five conditions are subject to the Platform Verification Program:
(1) Platforms installed in water depths exceeding 400 feet (122 meters);
(2) Platforms having natural periods in excess of 3 seconds;
(3) Platforms installed in areas of unstable bottom conditions;
(4) Platforms having configurations and designs which have not previously been used or proven for use in the area; or
(5) Platforms installed in seismically active areas.
(b) All new floating platforms are subject to the Platform Verification Program to the extent indicated in the following table: ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Your new floating platform is a The entire platform is
buoyant offshore facility that does not subject to the Platform
have a ship-shaped hull, Verification Program
including the following
associated structures:
(i) Drilling, production,
and pipeline risers, and
riser tensioning systems
(each platform must be
designed to accommodate all
the loads imposed by all
risers and riser does not
have tensioning systems);
(ii) Turrets and turret-and-
hull interfaces;
(iii) Foundations,
foundation pilings and
templates, and anchoring
systems; and
(iv) Mooring or tethering
systems.(2) Your new floating platform is a Only the following
buoyant offshore facility with a ship- structures that may be
shaped hull, associated with a floating
platform are subject to the
Platform Verification
Program:
(i) Drilling, production,
and pipeline risers, and
riser tensioning systems
(each platform must be
designed to accommodate all
the loads imposed by all
risers and riser tensioning
systems);
(ii) Turrets and turret-and-
hull interfaces;
(iii) Foundations,
foundation pilings and
templates, and anchoring
systems; and
(iv) Mooring or tethering
systems.------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) If a platform is originally subject to the Platform Verification Program, then the conversion of that platform at that same site for a new purpose, or making a major modification of, or major repair to, that platform, is also subject to the Platform Verification Program. A major modification includes any modification that increases loading on a platform by 10 percent or more. A major repair is a corrective operation involving structural members affecting the structural integrity of a portion or all of the platform. Before you make a major modification or repair to a floating platform, you must obtain approval from both the BSEE and the USCG.
(d) The applicability of Platform Verification Program requirements to other types of facilities will be determined by BSEE on a case-by-case basis.