It takes a top- notch team of people and several checks and balances to safely transfer crude from the

SeaRose FPSO. Typically, 400,000 barrels are offloaded at a time, at least once a week and the time from
connection to disconnection for an offload is approximately 12 hours.
Husky is known for its leading safety standards and that is no exception when it comes to managing the
risks during the offloading process on the SeaRose, says Dean Strickland, Marine Supervisor. The main
risks that are observed are the potential for fire and explosion, flooding of the steering room due to
collision, and poor weather conditions which could cause the FPSO to fishtail. Knowing these and other
risks, the team is able to properly manage them.
They do this by maintaining continuous communication with personnel who are stationed in various
locations to ensure safe transfer of cargo. When it comes to safety measures with the materials used
during offloading, a double carcass cargo transfer hose is used to prevent any spill to sea. The shuttle
tanker is connected to the SeaRose using a mooring hawser longer than the offloading hose to prevent
the offload hose from being damaged in the event that positioning could not be maintained.
There are Husky Operational Integrity Management System (HOIMS) checklists and procedures
developed to ensure preparation for safety. There is a competency matrix and safe- manning
requirements to guarantee all personnel involved are experienced and properly trained in all duties.
There are continual measures being taken to prevent an emergency but the crews are also ready to
respond should an incident occur.
Furthermore, there are specific weather forecasts developed for the field every six hours. There are a
number of safety precautions taken and detailed breakdown of the forecasted winds every hour. This is
used to aid in deciding when and if poor weather conditions will suspend offloading prior to weather
becoming an issue. They also use dynamic positioning (DP) to maintain position behind the SeaRose. The

DP technology enables the vessel to maintain its position and heading using sophisticated positioning
systems and other sensors as well as the thrusters and propellers.
While the tanker is approaching the FPSO, it is escorted by a supply vessel which is on standby during
offload for emergency towing and emergency teams are ready to provide assistance regarding
firefighting and even evacuation should it be required. The shuttle tankers that are used must meet
strict acceptance criteria; they are audited to ensure compliance. In the event of an emergency, both
the SeaRose and shuttle tanker can suspend operation with the push of a button. This shuts off the
transfer of cargo and ideally allows the tanker to move away from the FPSO if the hawser and cargo
offload hose safely disconnect.
Overall the risks associated with offloading are managed very well by trained professionals. Over the
years, technology and materials have also advanced such as,

The construction and materials used in the hawser line and the offloading hose

Telemetry systems, allowing tankers to stop cargo pumps and close export valves onboard the
SeaRose at any time

The gas and fire detection equipment

The remote operational and readings systems onboard now allow the operator to detect and
react much quicker to developing emergencies

The weather forecasting ability and communications