Changes in offshore electrical installation practices: revisions to API RP 14F

The American Petroleum Institute's Recommended Practice for Design and Installation of Electrical Systems for Offshore Petroleum Facilities, API RP 14F, underwent extensive revision in 1998. Advances in offshore deepwater drilling and production technology have led to increased use of floating production facilities, requiring significant interface with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Many of the revisions made to RP 14F address USCG requirements as they apply to floating production and drilling facilities. In addition, the RP was updated to reflect advances in technology in the electrical industry. The significant revisions and the history of RP 14F are reviewed in this paper.