Noise Survey in Offshore Operations

Abstract

A first comprehensive noise exposure survey was conducted in 1987 by Esso Production Malaysia Incorporated (EPMI). Since then noise surveys are routinely conducted in EPMI's operations, both on-shore and offshore. The noise exposure guidelines EPMI has adopted are based on the Malaysian noise exposure regulations which are similar to United State's 0SHA Noise Regulations. Even though the regulations are not applicable offshore, EPMI has utilized the standards as guidelines for its offshore operations, as we believe such guidelines provide for personnel hearing protection. This paper discusses the noise surveys in EPMI operations conducted at the onshore terminal, production platforms, and drilling rigs (during exploration and development drilling). The equipment used, methodology, criteria and strategies adopted for noise surveys are described. The results and findings of the surveys conducted, such as personnel dosimetry, noise sources, area noise levels, noise characteristics, and noise control recommtendations, are presented.

Hydraulic vs. Electric: A Review of Actuation Systems in Offshore Drilling Equipment

“…-noise emission of equipment (Rahman and Abdullah, 1991) -faults on induction motors (IMs) (Thorsen and Dalva, 1995) and (Mendel et al, 2009) -wireless technology (Petersen et al, 2008) -needs for technological development (Springett et al, 2010) -increase of value robustness (Allaverdi et al, 2013) -actuation types of intelligent completion systems (Potiani and Motta, 2014) -heave compensation systems (Woodacre et al, 2015) -electric ship propulsion (Hansen and Wendt, 2015) -diagnostics and prognostics of offshore wind turbines (Kandukuri et al, 2016) not much work is reported on benchmarking electric and hydraulic drives in a broader perspective, specifically for offshore drilling applications. The current paper fills this gap.…”

“…to protect personnel in their living quarters) but also to substitute / upgrade equipment producing excessive levels of acoustic emission. Replacing hydraulic drivetrains or moving them away from personnel working areas has been identified by Rahman and Abdullah (1991) as a key factor to improve noise control on offshore production platforms and drilling rigs.…”