scope:

This recommended practice provides guidance for the structural integrity management (SIM) of existing fixed offshore structures used for the drilling, development, production, and storage of hydrocarbons in offshore areas. However, the general principles of SIM apply to any structure.

Specific guidance is provided for the evaluation of structural damage, above- and below-water structural inspection, fitness-for-purpose assessment, risk reduction, mitigation planning, and the process of decommissioning. This recommended practice incorporates and expands on the recommendations of Section 14, "Surveys" and Section 17, "Assessment of Existing Platforms" as previously provided in API 2A-WSD, 21st Edition. See Annex A for additional information and guidelines on the provisions stated in the numbered sections of this document.

The SIM process provided in this recommended practice is applicable to existing platforms installed at any location worldwide. However, the recommended practice provides specific metocean criteria, which are only applicable for use in fitness-for-purpose assessments of platforms located in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the U.S. West Coast.

For guidelines, recommended practices, and other requirements relating to planning, designing, and constructing new fixed offshore platforms, including reuse and change-in-use of existing platforms, reference should be made to the latest edition of API 2A-WSD.

For guidelines, recommended practices, and other requirements relating to planning, designing, and constructing new offshore floating production systems, including reuse and change-in-use of existing floating production systems, reference should be made to the latest edition of API 2FPS.