Complete Technical Encyclopedia of UK Continental Shelf Offshore Cable Standards — The Definitive 5-Character Coding System for Oil & Gas Industry
Anhui Feichun Special Cable Co., Ltd.
安徽飞纯特种电缆有限公司
What is OGUK / UKOOA Cable?
Complete Technical Encyclopedia of UK Continental Shelf Offshore Cable Standards — The Definitive 5-Character Coding System for Oil & Gas Industry
1. Introduction to OGUK / UKOOA Cable Standards
Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), formerly Oil and Gas UK (OGUK), is a trade association for the United Kingdom offshore energy industry. The OGUK cable specification first saw life in 2007 following the rebranding of the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), an organisation created by the UK government in 1996 to standardise the products and services supplied to the offshore industry. As part of its mandate, OGUK speaks for and represents the entire offshore sector operating on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).
UKOOA Established
Rebranded to OGUK
Rebranded to OEUK
Geographic Scope
Products Covered
Headquarters
Source: Wikipedia – Offshore Energies UK
Historical Development
Source: Cleveland Cable – UKOOA/OGUK Cable
EspañolIntroducción a los Estándares de Cable OGUK / UKOOA
Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), anteriormente Oil and Gas UK (OGUK), es una asociación comercial para la industria energética offshore del Reino Unido. La especificación de cable OGUK surgió en 2007 tras la reorganización de la UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), una organización creada por el gobierno del Reino Unido en 1996 para estandarizar los productos y servicios suministrados a la industria offshore. Como parte de su mandato, OGUK representa a todo el sector offshore que opera en la Plataforma Continental del Reino Unido (UKCS). Los cables aprobados por OGUK cumplen con los estándares británicos BS 6883 y BS 7917.
繁體中文OGUK / UKOOA 電纜標準簡介
英國離岸能源協會（OEUK），前身為英國石油天然氣協會（OGUK），是英國離岸能源行業的貿易協會。OGUK電纜規範於2007年誕生，是英國離岸運營商協會（UKOOA）改組後的產物。UKOOA由英國政府於1996年創建，目的是標準化供應給離岸行業的產品和服務。作為其職責的一部分，OGUK代表在英國大陸架（UKCS）上運營的整個離岸行業。OGUK批准的電纜符合英國標準BS 6883和BS 7917的相關要求，涵蓋電力和儀表電纜。
2. Relationship with British Standards
The guidelines developed by UKOOA (and subsequently OGUK) for cables are complementary to British Standards. These guidelines were developed in response to the offshore industry’s desire to standardize cable types for instrumentation, telecommunication and electrical power and control. The products falling under OGUK’s remit include power and instrumentation cables. As such, cables approved by OGUK can be deemed to comply with the relevant British Standards.
| British Standard | Full Title | Cable Type | Fire Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS 6883 | Specification for Elastomer insulated cables for fixed wiring in ships and on mobile and fixed offshore units | Flame Retardant | IEC 60332 |
| BS 7917 | Specification for Elastomer insulated Fire Resistant (Limited Circuit Integrity) cables for fixed wiring in ships and on mobile and fixed offshore units | Fire Resistant | IEC 60331 |
UKOOA Guidelines Coverage
The UKOOA Guidelines cover the requirements for the design, manufacture, inspection and testing of elastomeric instrumentation, power and control cables for offshore installations. Cable voltage ratings covered include a comprehensive range from instrumentation to medium voltage applications.
150/250V Instrumentation 600/1000V Power 1.9/3.3kV MV 3.8/6.6kV MV 6.35/11kV MV 8.7/15kV MV
Source: Tratos Group – UKOOA Standards
SW Sheath Types (BS 6883)
| Sheath Type | Description | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| SW2 | Heavy-duty enhanced oil-resisting | Flame retardant, reduced halogen gas emission |
| SW3 | Ordinary duty oil-resisting | Low emission of smoke and corrosive gases |
| SW4 | Ordinary duty enhanced oil-resisting | Low emission of smoke and gases when affected by fire |
BS 7917 Fire Resistance Classifications
| Classification | Fire Resistance Duration | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| F0 | 3 hours minimum | 750°C |
| F1 | 3 hours minimum | 950°C |
Source: Cleveland Cable – BS7917 Cable Standard
EspañolRelación con los Estándares Británicos
Las directrices desarrolladas por UKOOA para cables son complementarias a los Estándares Británicos BS 6883 (cables retardantes de llama) y BS 7917 (cables resistentes al fuego). Los tipos de cubierta incluyen SW2 (resistencia mejorada al aceite), SW3 (baja emisión de humo) y SW4 (baja emisión de humo y gases). BS 7917 especifica clasificaciones de resistencia al fuego F0 (3 horas a 750°C) y F1 (3 horas a 950°C). Los rangos de voltaje cubiertos van desde 150/250V para instrumentación hasta 8.7/15kV para aplicaciones de media tensión.
繁體中文與英國標準的關係
UKOOA制定的電纜指南是英國標準BS 6883（阻燃電纜）和BS 7917（耐火電纜）的補充。護套類型包括SW2（增強耐油性）、SW3（低煙排放）和SW4（低煙低氣體排放）。BS 7917規定了耐火等級F0（750°C下3小時）和F1（950°C下3小時）。涵蓋的電壓範圍從150/250V儀表電纜到8.7/15kV中壓應用。UKOOA指南涵蓋離岸裝置用彈性體絕緣儀表、電力和控制電纜的設計、製造、檢驗和測試要求。
3. OGUK / UKOOA 5-Character Coding System
The cable coding system developed by OGUK / UKOOA denotes the cable specification according to a unique five-character alpha-numeric code. This standardized system allows precise identification of cable type, fire performance, voltage rating, construction, screening, and conductor size.
1 2 3 4 5
| Position | Designation | Information Encoded |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Character | Fire Performance / Voltage Rating | Fire resistant or flame retardant + voltage class |
| 2nd Character | Cable Construction | Sheath colour, armouring type, screening if applicable |
| 3rd Character | Number of Cores | Single, multicore, pairs, triples, or quads |
| 4th & 5th Characters | Conductor Size & Class | Cross-sectional area (mm²) and stranding class |
Example: WB325
W = Flame retardant 600/1000V | B = GSWB armour black | 3 = 3 core | 25 = 25mm² Class 2
1st Character: Fire Performance & Voltage Rating
| Code | Fire Performance | Voltage Rating | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Resistant Cables (IEC 60331) | |||
| F | Fire resistant, reduced halogen | 150/250V | Instrumentation |
| G | Fire resistant, low smoke & fume | 150/250V | Instrumentation LSZH |
| X | Fire resistant, reduced halogen | 600/1000V | Power & control |
| Y | Fire resistant, low smoke & fume | 600/1000V | Power & control LSZH |
| Flame Retardant Cables (IEC 60332) | |||
| J | Flame retardant, reduced halogen | 150/250V | Instrumentation |
| K | Flame retardant, low smoke & fume | 150/250V | Instrumentation LSZH |
| L | Flame retardant, reduced halogen | 600/1000V | Power & control |
| W | Flame retardant, low smoke & fume | 600/1000V | Power & control LSZH |
| Medium Voltage Cables | |||
| N | Flame retardant, reduced halogen | 1.9/3.3kV | MV power |
| M | Flame retardant, reduced halogen | 3.8/6.6kV | MV power |
| P | Flame retardant, reduced halogen | 6.35/11kV | MV power |
| H | Flame retardant, reduced halogen | 8.7/15kV | MV power |
2nd Character: Cable Construction
| Code | Fire Type | Sheath Colour | Armour | Screen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power & Control Cables | ||||
| A | Flame retardant | Black (LV), Red (HV) | TPBWB (Bronze) | — |
| B | Flame retardant | Black (LV), Red (HV) | GSWB (Steel) | — |
| C | Fire resistant | Black | TPBWB (Bronze) | — |
| D | Fire resistant | Black | GSWB (Steel) | — |
| E | Flame retardant | Green/Yellow | None | — |
| F | Flame retardant | Black | None | — |
| Instrumentation Cables | ||||
| G | Flame retardant | Light Blue | GSWB | Collective |
| H | Flame retardant | Light Blue | GSWB | Individual |
| J | Flame retardant | Grey | GSWB | Collective |
| K | Flame retardant | Grey | GSWB | Individual |
| L | Fire resistant | Light Blue | GSWB | Collective |
| M | Fire resistant | Light Blue | GSWB | Individual |
| N | Fire resistant | Grey | GSWB | Collective |
| P | Fire resistant | Grey | GSWB | Individual |
| Y | Flame retardant | Orange | GSWB | Coaxial |
3rd Character: Number of Cores
| Code | Configuration | Code | Configuration | Code | Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single core | A | 12 core | K | 12 pair |
| 2 | 2 core | B | 19 core | L | 20 pair |
| 3 | 3 core | C | 27 core | M | 27 pair |
| 4 | 4 core | D | 37 core | N | 37 pair |
| 7 | 7 core | F | 1 pair | R | 1 triple |
| H | 3 pair | S | 3 triple | ||
| J | 7 pair | T | 7 triple | ||
| U | 12 triple | ||||
| X | 1 quad | V | 3 quad | ||
| Z | 7 quad |
4th & 5th Characters: Conductor Size & Class
| Code | Conductor Size | Conductor Type | Code | Conductor Size | Conductor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | 0.75mm² | Flexible tinned copper (Class 5) | 50 | 50mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
| 01 | 1.0mm² | Flexible tinned copper (Class 5) | 70 | 70mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
| 02 | 1.5mm² | Flexible tinned copper (Class 5) | 95 | 95mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
| 03 | 2.5mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) | 0A | 120mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
| 04 | 4.0mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) | 0B | 150mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
| 06 | 6.0mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) | 0C | 185mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
| 10 | 10mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) | 0D | 240mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
| 16 | 16mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) | 0E | 300mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
| 25 | 25mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) | 0F | 400mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
| 35 | 35mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) | 0G | 500mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
| 0H | 630mm² | Tinned copper (Class 2) |
Source: Eland Cables – OGUK/UKOOA Cable
EspañolSistema de Codificación de 5 Caracteres OGUK / UKOOA
El sistema de codificación de cables desarrollado por OGUK / UKOOA utiliza un código alfanumérico único de cinco caracteres. El 1er carácter indica el rendimiento al fuego y la clasificación de voltaje (F/G/X/Y para resistente al fuego, J/K/L/W para retardante de llama). El 2do carácter indica la construcción del cable incluyendo color de cubierta, tipo de armadura y pantalla. El 3er carácter indica el número de núcleos, pares, triples o quads. Los caracteres 4to y 5to indican el tamaño del conductor (0.75mm² a 630mm²) y la clase (Clase 2 o Clase 5 flexible).
繁體中文OGUK / UKOOA 五字符編碼系統
OGUK / UKOOA開發的電纜編碼系統使用獨特的五字符字母數字代碼。第1字符表示防火性能和電壓等級（F/G/X/Y為耐火，J/K/L/W為阻燃）。第2字符表示電纜結構，包括護套顏色、鎧裝類型和屏蔽。第3字符表示芯數、對數、三芯或四芯。第4和第5字符表示導體尺寸（0.75mm²至630mm²）和等級（2類或5類柔性）。例如，WB325表示阻燃低煙600/1000V、GSWB鎧裝黑色、3芯、25mm² 2類銅導體。
4. Common UKOOA Cable Type Examples
Understanding how to decode UKOOA cable designations is essential for proper cable selection. Here are examples of commonly used cable types with their full specifications decoded.
| UKOOA Code | Fire Type | Voltage | Construction | Cores | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power & Control Cables (600/1000V) | |||||
| WB325 | Flame retardant LSZH | 600/1000V | GSWB armour, Black | 3 core | 25mm² Class 2 |
| WB4 95 | Flame retardant LSZH | 600/1000V | GSWB armour, Black | 4 core | 95mm² Class 2 |
| YD3 0C | Fire resistant LSZH | 600/1000V | GSWB armour, Black | 3 core | 185mm² Class 2 |
| LF 110 | Flame retardant | 600/1000V | Unarmoured, Black | Single core | 10mm² Class 2 |
| Instrumentation Cables (150/250V) | |||||
| KHJ01 | Flame retardant LSZH | 150/250V | GSWB, Blue, Individual | 7 pair | 1.0mm² Class 5 |
| KGK02 | Flame retardant LSZH | 150/250V | GSWB, Blue, Collective | 12 pair | 1.5mm² Class 5 |
| GMT00 | Fire resistant LSZH | 150/250V | GSWB, Blue, Individual | 7 triple | 0.75mm² Class 5 |
| GPN01 | Fire resistant LSZH | 150/250V | GSWB, Grey, Individual | 37 pair | 1.0mm² Class 5 |
| Medium Voltage Cables | |||||
| MB325 | Flame retardant | 3.8/6.6kV | GSWB armour, Red | 3 core | 25mm² Class 2 |
| PB170 | Flame retardant | 6.35/11kV | GSWB armour, Red | Single core | 70mm² Class 2 |
5. OGUK / UKOOA Cable Construction
OGUK / UKOOA cables are designed for demanding offshore environments, featuring robust construction with enhanced fire performance, oil resistance, and low smoke emission. All cables meet strict British Standards and IEC requirements for offshore applications.
Typical Cable Construction
| Component | Material | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Conductor | Tinned stranded circular copper (Class 2 or Class 5) | Current carrying, corrosion resistance |
| Fire Barrier (BS 7917) | Mica Glass Tape (MGT) | Circuit integrity during fire |
| Insulation | EPR (Ethylene Propylene Rubber) GP4 | Electrical insulation, flexibility |
| Screen (if applicable) | Aluminium backed polyester tape / Copper braid | EMI/RFI shielding |
| Drain Wire | Tinned copper | Grounding for screen |
| Bedding | LSF flame retardant halogen free compound | Protection, core binding |
| Inner Sheath | PET tape and rubberised polyamide tape | Mechanical protection |
| Armour | GSWB (Galvanised Steel Wire Braid) or TPBWB (Bronze) | Mechanical protection |
| Outer Sheath | Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) SW4 compound | Environmental protection |
Source: YMPower – UKOOA/OGUK Cable Construction
Core Identification
| Configuration | Core Colours | Identification |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs | 1 Black + 1 White | Each pair numbered (1-1, 2-2, 3-3…) |
| Triples | 1 Black + 1 White + 1 Red | Each triple numbered (1-1-1, 2-2-2, 3-3-3…) |
| Quads | 1 Black + 1 Blue + 1 Red + 1 White | Each quad numbered (1-1-1-1, 2-2-2-2…) |
Technical Parameters
Operating Temperature
Minimum Bending Temperature
Temperature Range
Fire Resistance
EspañolConstrucción de Cable OGUK / UKOOA
Los cables OGUK / UKOOA están diseñados para entornos offshore exigentes, con construcción robusta que incluye: conductor de cobre estañado trenzado (Clase 2 o 5), barrera de fuego MGT (mica) para BS 7917, aislamiento EPR GP4, pantalla de aluminio o cobre para cables de instrumentación, armadura GSWB o TPBWB, y cubierta exterior LSZH SW4. La identificación de núcleos utiliza colores: pares (negro + blanco), triples (negro + blanco + rojo), quads (negro + azul + rojo + blanco), cada grupo numerado. Temperatura operativa: -40°C a +90°C.
繁體中文OGUK / UKOOA 電纜結構
OGUK / UKOOA電纜專為嚴苛的離岸環境設計，具有堅固的結構，包括：鍍錫絞合銅導體（2類或5類）、BS 7917用MGT（雲母）耐火層、EPR GP4絕緣、儀表電纜用鋁或銅屏蔽、GSWB或TPBWB鎧裝、以及LSZH SW4外護套。芯線識別使用顏色：對（黑+白）、三芯（黑+白+紅）、四芯（黑+藍+紅+白），每組編號。工作溫度：-40°C至+90°C。耐火性能：750°C下3小時（BS 7917 / IEC 60331）。
6. Fire Performance Standards
Fire performance of OGUK/UKOOA cables includes minimum fume and toxicity under exposure to flame in a fire condition. All cables meet IEC 60332 Part 3 Category A test for flame propagation. Fire resistant types additionally meet IEC 60331-11 (fire alone at 750°C) for circuit integrity.
| Test Standard | Test Description | Pass Criteria | UKOOA Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| IEC 60332-1-2 | Single cable vertical flame test | Self-extinguish, char ≥50mm from top | All cables |
| IEC 60332-3-22 | Bundled cable flame test (Cat A) | Char height ≤2.5m | All cables |
| IEC 60331-11 | Fire resistance (flame only) | Circuit integrity @ 750°C | Fire resistant types |
| IEC 60331-21 | Fire resistance (enhanced) | ≥120 min @ 750-800°C | Fire resistant types |
| IEC 61034-1/2 | Smoke density (3m cube test) | ≥60% light transmittance | LSZH cables |
| IEC 60754-1 | Halogen acid gas emission | ≤0.5% HCl equivalent | LSZH cables |
| IEC 60754-2 | Acidity and conductivity | pH ≥4.3, conductivity ≤10 µS/mm | LSZH cables |
Source: Cable Solutions Worldwide – BS6883/BS7917
Fire Resistant (BS 7917, codes F/G/X/Y): Contains Mica Glass Tape (MGT) as fire barrier over conductor. Maintains circuit integrity during fire exposure per IEC 60331 for up to 3 hours at 750°C (F0) or 950°C (F1). Essential for emergency lighting, shutdown control, fire pumps, gas detectors, and alarm systems.
Flame Retardant (BS 6883, codes J/K/L/W): Self-extinguishing construction that limits flame spread per IEC 60332. Does not maintain circuit function during fire. Suitable for general power distribution, lighting, and non-critical control applications.
7. Applications for OGUK / UKOOA Cables
OGUK / UKOOA cables are designed for fixed wiring safety-critical applications in ships and offshore units. These cables find applications in essential systems where fire safety and reliable power distribution are paramount.
🔥 Emergency Systems
Emergency lighting, fire alarm, shutdown control systems, fire pump circuits, gas detection systems. (Fire resistant cables required)
⚡ Power Distribution
Main switchboards, motor control centres, distribution panels, lighting circuits, HVAC systems. (Flame retardant cables)
📊 Instrumentation
Process control, telemetry, SCADA systems, communication networks, data acquisition. (Screened instrumentation cables)
🏠 Accommodation Areas
Control rooms, computer suites, kitchen facilities, crew quarters. (LSZH cables for personnel safety)
🛢️ Offshore Platforms
Fixed production platforms, FPSO vessels, drilling rigs, wellhead platforms. (Full UKOOA compliance required)
🚢 Marine Vessels
Supply vessels, construction vessels, diving support vessels, accommodation barges. (BS 6883/7917 compliant)
8. UKOOA vs Other Offshore Cable Standards
UKOOA cables can be compared with other international offshore cable standards, particularly Norway’s NEK 606. Both serve similar purposes but have different coding systems and regional preferences.
| Feature | UKOOA (BS 6883/7917) | NEK 606 |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom | Norway |
| Primary Use | UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) | Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) |
| Coding System | 5-character alphanumeric | Product code (BFOU, RFOU, etc.) |
| Fire Resistant Type | BS 7917 (MGT barrier) | BFOU (MGT barrier) |
| Flame Retardant Type | BS 6883 | RFOU |
| MUD Resistance | Optional | SHF2 MUD standard |
| Voltage Range | 150/250V to 8.7/15kV | 150/250V to 18/30kV |
| Certifications | Lloyd’s Register, DNV | DNV, Lloyd’s Register, ABS |
9. Feichun Cable OGUK/UKOOA Compliant Products
Anhui Feichun Special Cable Co., Ltd. (安徽飞纯特种电缆有限公司) manufactures a comprehensive range of offshore cables compliant with OGUK/UKOOA guidelines, BS 6883, BS 7917, and related IEC standards for the UK Continental Shelf and international offshore markets.
| Product Category | Standards | UKOOA Codes | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 657TQ Type SW4 | BS 6883 | WF, LF series | Power, control, lighting (unarmoured) |
| 658TQ Type SW4 | BS 6883 | WB, LB series | Power, control, lighting (armoured) |
| 6571TQ Earth Cable | BS 6883 | WE, LE series | Earthing and bonding |
| TCu/MGT/EPR Fire Resistant | BS 7917 | YD, XD series | Emergency systems, critical circuits |
| Instrumentation Screened | BS 6883, BS 7917 | KH, KK, GM, GP series | Process control, signals |
| Medium Voltage Power | BS 6883, IEC 60502 | MB, PB, HB series | 3.8/6.6kV to 8.7/15kV distribution |
Authoritative External References
The technical information in this article is supported by the following authoritative sources from industry publications, standards organizations, and recognized technical resources.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offshore_Energies_UK
OGUK organization history and overview
https://www.elandcables.com/electrical-cable-and-accessories/cables-by-standard/oguk-ukooa-en
Complete UKOOA cable coding system reference
https://www.clevelandcable.com/standards/ukooaoguk-cable
UKOOA guidelines and British Standards compliance
https://www.clevelandcable.com/standards/bs7917-cable
BS 7917 fire resistance specifications
https://tratosgroup.com/products/standards/others/ukooa/
UKOOA Guidelines coverage and requirements
https://szympower.com/product-category/cable-standars/ukooa-oguk-cable/
Cable construction details and specifications
http://www.shipboard-cables.com/UKOOA/UKOOA-CODE.html
Complete UKOOA coding system tables
https://www.cable-solutions-worldwide.com/bs6883-7917/
British offshore shipboard cables overview
https://www.hunterbrand.co.uk/bs6883-bs7917
UKOOA type codes and product range
https://honestcable.com/bs7917-cable/
BS 7917 fire resistant cable specifications
Contact Feichun Cable
For technical support with OGUK/UKOOA compliant offshore cable requirements, please contact our engineering team.
Technical Support
[email protected]Sales – Mr. Zihao Yang
[email protected]Sales – Mr. Ziyu Huang
[email protected]Company Address: Building A, Private Science and Technology Park, Hefei Economic and Technological Development Zone, Anhui Province, China
