An Inherent Safety-Based Framework for Enhancing Design of Multipurpose Offshore Platform Layouts

Abstract The integration of emerging offshore renewable energy systems, transportation, and other facilities through implementing a multipurpose offshore platform (MPOP) presents itself as a potential solution for achieving environmental and socio-economic sustainability in the realm of offshore renewable energy. Currently, development of MPOP layouts is conceptual and mainly relies on the design specifications of other offshore platforms. From sustainability and economic viability perspectives, the safety and reliability of such platforms has significant uncertainty. In this paper, a novel framework for designing MPOP layouts is proposed incorporating inherent safety principles and social and regulatory considerations to address the reliability and safety of such platforms. The applicability of the methodology is demonstrated with a case study. The case study results show that the framework effectively enhances the platform’s operational safety reducing potential safety costs with an inherently safer layout. The developed framework can help in developing layout plans for novel and complex offshore facilities at early design stages.