How Pre-assembled Offshore Accommodation Units Can Save You Time & Cost On Your Platform

Key Takeaways:

• Pre-assembled offshore accommodation units are modular, ready-to-install living spaces.
• They drastically cut setup time, labour needs, and operational disruption.
• Built to offshore safety and fire standards for long-term reliability.
• Ideal for temporary living quarters, workshop units, or scalable crew housing.
• MGS Offshore offers certified, customizable modules to enhance platform efficiency.

Introduction

Offshore work is physically demanding, often involving long shifts in challenging environmental conditions. Good and adequate accommodation supports physical recovery, reduces fatigue, and enhances mental health.

However, when an offshore platform needs more living space, things can get complicated fast. Project extension or emergency tasks may require more people on board than the platform can typically house. 

And yet, adding new quarters on-site takes time. It needs design work, welding, cabling, plumbing, and inspections. These steps can disrupt operations and even create a public health risk.

Fortunately, pre-assembled offshore accommodation units offer a direct solution. These units are built off-site, tested, and shipped ready to be installed. They are “plug-and-play” modules that connect quickly to your platform’s power, HVAC, and utilities. 

Leveraging them can appreciably avert project delays, deliver project savings, and reduce downtime.

What Are Pre-assembled Offshore Accommodation Units?

Pre-assembled offshore accommodation units are living spaces built in a controlled facility and delivered ready for use. In practice, they come as complete pre-fitted modules with internal furniture, insulation, lighting, air systems, fire systems, and safety features. 

The idea is that once the unit reaches the platform, the crew only needs to lift it into place and connect utilities. Generally, this modular ‘plug-and-play’ approach avoids the need for on-site building work. 

Generally, pre-assembled offshore accommodation units remove uncertainty. They are thoroughly tested before shipment, so they arrive in working condition. Furthermore, they differ from ad-hoc or custom on-site construction in several ways:

• They leverage standard layouts and proven materials.
• They meet strict offshore safety and lifting codes.
• They can be expeditiously planned for and methodically constructed.
• They can be quickly transported and installed, drastically reducing setup time. 

These units can serve various roles in maintaining crew welfare. For example, they can serve as living rooms, office rooms, clinic spaces, storage rooms, or break areas. 

Furthermore, they are highly scalable, enabling platforms to dynamically expand capacity without altering major structural parts.

Also read: Offshore Accommodation Containers: Temporary Living Quarters For Oil Rig Staff. 

Types of offshore accommodation units

Two main types of accommodation units exist to ensure that crew welfare is maintained and project deadlines are met without compromising safety or quality. Let’s break them down, shall we?

Offshore temporary living quarters

Offshore temporary living quarters (TLQs) are modular accommodation cabins expressly designed to provide comfortable and compliant living spaces for offshore workers. However, they are meant to be deployed on a temporary basis. 

They are often rented or leased to supplement existing facilities during short-term projects. As such, they are mission-critical during rapid crew increases or as emergency housing. 

Designed for quick deployment with flexible configurations, they typically include sleeping areas, bathroom facilities, and basic amenities.

Offshore workshop units

Offshore workshop units are separate and complementary modular spaces dedicated to equipment maintenance, repair work, and storage. They are mission-critical to maintaining project efficiency by enabling on-site technical work whilst reducing the need to transport equipment back to shore.

To support the operational needs of the platform workforce, offshore workshop units are prefabricated and designed for easy transport and installation offshore. 

Overall, terms like “temporary living quarters,” “offshore accommodation rental,” and “offshore workshop unit” describe the modular and rental-based nature of these facilities. Principally, they also emphasise their flexibility, rapid deployment, and operational support.

Why Time & Cost Matter for Platform Operators when they need Temporary living quarters?

Delays offshore are expensive. Crew sitting idle still needs pay, food, and travel arrangements. In essence, production may pause if key staff cannot be housed safely. Pre-assembled offshore accommodation units offer speed and time benefits that address this because:

• They are modular and arrive complete.
• Installation time is short.
• No field fabrication is needed.

Resultantly, cost savings manifest for offshore operators in several areas due to:

• Fewer days spent constructing offshore.
• Reduced need for specialised labour.
• Less use of cranes, scaffolding, and crew transfer time.
• Lower disruption to ongoing production.

Generally, their rapid deployment and seamless platform installation mean the crew can focus on productive work. Consequently, operators benefit from sustained production levels and improved project timelines. 

Key Features of Pre-assembled Units That Drive Savings

Pre-assembled offshore accommodation units offer a cost-effective and efficient solution for urgent offshore accommodation needs. They maintain several standout features that drive savings, such as:

• Pre-fitted utilities and systems: Pre-assembled offshore accommodation units come with HVAC, wiring, lighting, plumbing, and fire systems ready. This drastically reduces the need for complex and time-consuming site works offshore.
• Modular, stackable design: Units can fit side-by-side or be stacked vertically to reduce deck space use. This efficient space utilisation leaves a minimal footprint, maximising offshore platform space without extensive structural modifications.
• Certified for offshore standards: They meet strict fire and structural standards required for offshore human occupancy—including fire resistance and load-bearing requirements.
• Ease of transport and installation: Modules are natively sized for standard lifting and shipping. In fact, crane hook-up is expedient to enable quick lifting and plugging into existing platform systems with minimal interruption.
• Versatility: Pre-assembled offshore accommodation units can serve as living rooms, offices, clinics, meeting rooms, or storage rooms. This reduces the need for multiple new structures.

How an Offshore Workshop Unit Adds Value (Support Function)?

Pre-assembled offshore workshop units serve as an essential complement to accommodation modules that provide dedicated space for repair and equipment maintenance tasks. 

It also gives technicians a safe place to store tools. Instead of building a work area on the platform/deck, the module provides a ready solution with ventilation, bench space, power access, and protective walls.

This support function appreciably reduces the need for costly onshore trips or additional infrastructure, enabling maintenance teams to respond quickly to operational needs. 

By consolidating workshop capabilities near living quarters, downtime due to equipment failure is significantly minimised. Thereby, enhancing overall productivity whilst keeping the footprint small, which is helpful when deck space is limited.

When Should You Choose Offshore Accommodation Rental vs Purchase?

Renting offshore accommodation units offers flexibility, quick availability, and reduces upfront capital expenditure. Renting also relieves offshore operators of maintenance responsibilities and long-term commitments. Thus, allowing them to scale accommodation provision up or down as project requirements evolve.

Conversely, ownership of offshore accommodation units is advantageous for projects spanning multiple years where modules will be repeatedly redeployed. This minimises recurring rental fees. 

Furthermore, purchasing accommodation units typically involves a higher initial investment. However, it offers greater customisation and control, with the benefit of spreading costs over the asset’s useful life. 

In summary, rental is best when:

• The need is short-term.
• The platform has a temporary crew increase.
• A shutdown, overhaul, or repair project requires extra staff.
• Rental avoids large capital spending. Once the job ends, the unit is returned.

Purchase is best when:

• The platform has a long-term increase in staffing.
• The operator plans repeated future use.
• The unit may need to move between multiple facilities.

Key factors influencing the decision to purchase an accommodation unit include: project duration, frequency of use, logistical complexity, certification requirements, and the potential for redeployment. 

Read more: Offshore Accommodation Container Rental vs. Purchase: What’s More Cost-Effective for Your Project?

How to Implement a pre-assembled offshore accommodation unit on Your Platform?

Successfully implementing a pre-assembled offshore accommodation unit is a methodical process that’s characterised by several key steps. Let’s break them down, shall we?

1. Assess Site Readiness: Confirm available deck space, weight limits, hooking utilities, and crane capacity. Additionally, systematically plan lift points and access routes.
2. Certification and Compliance: Ensure the offshore accommodation unit meets fire and structural standards. A reference guide is the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Guide for portable accommodation modules.
3. Logistics and Transport: Arrange delivery from shore to platform in a manner that averts platform disruption. For instance, check the sea and weather schedules to pick the right delivery timing. 
4. Operational Use: Integrate the accommodation modules with existing living, welfare, and workshop units. This might involve connecting the unit to HVAC, power, and water systems and assigning crew movement paths and emergency exits.
5. Exit Strategy:  Plan the exit strategy. For context, if modules are rented, arrange redeployment or return. If purchased, consider repurposing or relocating the units to maximise asset lifespan and value

Overall, proper planning makes installation quick and safe. Most operators finish setup within a short period once the unit arrives.

Conclusion

Pre-assembled offshore accommodation units offer a fast and cost-efficient way to expand living space on platforms. They reduce downtime, avoid lengthy on-site construction, and support crew well-being. 

Furthermore, they arrive ready to use, connect easily, and meet offshore safety standards. To top it all off, their modular design allows flexible use, from living quarters to workshop support.

For offshore operators, this means fewer delays, lower labour costs, and a stable living environment that supports safety and productivity. When time matters, and comfort cannot be compromised, these pre-built units deliver real gains.For tailored pre-assembled accommodation and workshop solutions that deliver immediate impact on project timeline and operational efficiency, contact MGS Offshore. Beyond certified modular units, we provide expert support curated to serve your project’s unique requirements.