These guidelines provide advice on undertaking the annual dynamic positioning (DP) trials for DP mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) on a continual basis throughout the year.

The purpose of the trial programme is to improve safety and performance by reducing risk. These guidelines propose a method of achieving these goals by carefully managed testing of all important systems and components of a DP system to ensure that the DP system is maintained in good working order. Particular focus is placed on verifying the conditions from the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) that are difficult or impossible to verify by any other method. The trial programme may be conducted on an incremental basis throughout the year as opportunities arise but needs to be completed within a twelve month period.

The guidelines are designed to provide a common approach for DP MODU annual trials.

Their development was prompted by a desire to establish a system whereby the trials commonly undertaken in other parts of the industry could be completed for drilling rigs despite their need for continuous operations that could be impractical if carried out under the current all-at-once guidance. It is emphasised, however, that it is IMCA's view that it best to undertake the trials in one go if possible and that this guidance is for the special case of MODUs only.