Shell has been involved in AHMS developments right from the start


In an interview with Report, Gbolagade Oguntola, Project Engineer at Shell Nigeria, outlines the importance of long-term structural integrity monitoring of FPSOs to the organisation.


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n 2006, the original Monitas Joint Industry Project (JIP) got underway with the aim that it would develop an


Advisory Hull Monitoring System (AHMS) for FPSOs. This important JIP is now supported by more than 15 companies and Shell has been involved right from beginning. AHMS advises on the hull integrity of FPSOs and helps the owner to understand the real age of the vessel by monitoring fatigue loading and coupling it back to the design tools.


Q: In-situ monitoring of the long-term structural integrity of Shell’s floating struc- tures is a requirement of the company’s in-house operate phase performance standards. Is this one of the reasons that


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Shell has supported the development of AHMS, and what were Shell’s initial expectations of the system? A: “There is a need to build knowledge around FPSOs’ end of life performance, as well as to create a robust database with respect to this subject from which the development of newbuilds can be based. Therefore Shell’s immediate expectation is to understand the in-service hull fatigue consumption and thus provide a means of assuring the long-term integrity of hulls. Additionally, looking into the future, we wanted to be involved to gather data for forensic assessments in the event of any failures, as well as for the further develop- ment of newbuild floaters.”


Q: Nowadays AHMS has been installed onboard newly built floaters such as the USAN FPSO, CLOV FPSO, Ichthys FPSO and Moho Nord FPU. What made Shell decide to implement AHMS on its existing FPSOs? A: “We do this to understand the in-service hull fatigue consumption and thus provide a means of assuring her hull long-term integ- rity. Currently, the installation onboard the existing Bonga FPSO is being prepared.”


Q: How does Shell overcome the challenges associated with installation onboard a production unit? A: “Indeed, one of the main challenges when installing AHMS on an existing FPSO is the installation procedures. Synergies


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