Petrobras has obtained Approval in Principle(AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping(ABS) for its sandwich hull tank design. This structural configuration integrates steel-concrete-steel layers in longitudinal and transverse sections, and seeks to improve both safety and operational efficiency in floating production, storage and offloading(FPSO) units.
Remote inspection and ABS approval
The approved design eliminates internal elements that hinder tank inspection. tank inspectionThe approved design eliminates internal elements that hinder tank inspection, allowing activities to be performed with remotely operated tools and advanced robotic systems. The ability to keep interior spaces completely free of obstructions represents a major improvement for structural monitoring activities in demanding marine environments.
From a safety point of view, this design aims to reduce the exposure of personnel to hazardous conditions, especially during cleaning and inspection of confined spaces.nspection of confined spaces. According to ABS, these operations are among the most dangerous on board offshore platforms. With this new approach, Petrobras increases its commitment to the integration of safe and automated technologies in the energy sector.
This concept was evaluated under the classification standards of ABS, which has been a pioneer in applying technologies such as robotic crawlers, ROVs, drones and portable devices in marine inspections. The approval was made official during OTC Brazil 2025, where representatives from both organizations highlighted the importance of this collaboration for the future of offshore structural inspection.
Source and photo: ABS
