Stress Engineering Services, Inc., (SES) the global leader in consulting engineering services, has achieved an American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Recognized Specialist certification for its condition-based monitoring (CBM) services.

ABS has certified SES’ process for identifying and tracking damage in drilling riser joints, including the telescopic joint. The certification will move to a life-cycle condition-based monitoring, maintenance and inspection system approach that is deployed and performed on the mobile operating drilling unit (MODU). The CBM approach will remove uncertainties surrounding damage of riser joints and will allow the owner to determine whether the drilling riser should be redeployed or replaced.

An ABS Recognized Specialist performs specific services at the request of equipment manufacturers, shipyards, vessel owners or other clients. They also utilize the results of inspection, measurements, testing or maintenance in making critical decisions affecting classification or statutory certification or services. Certification is a five-stage process, which includes feasibility, concept verification, prototype validation, systems integration and operations. The qualifications in each stage include risk assessments, engineering evaluations and document reviews, followed by a facility audit.

Chuck Miller, vice president, Stress Engineering Services, said, “We are proud to be the only company that is an ABS Recognized Specialist for condition based monitoring of drilling riser systems. Our system is compatible with all present owners’ maintenance programs and ensures that maintenance requirements are supported with robust engineering.”

The certification is valid for three years, and SES will be listed on the ABS External Specialist database.