An application and subsequent benefits of digitalisation to pipeline engineering using a 3D pipe-in-pipe bulkhead design project case study
Nigel Lim A B and Lucas Lim AA Genesis, Level 1, 1 William St, Perth WA 6000, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: nigel.lim@genesisoilandgas.com
The APPEA Journal 60(2) 641-645 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ19125
Accepted: 18 February 2020 Published: 15 May 2020
Abstract
Digitalisation of design processes is being rapidly accepted as a major step-change in engineering of pipelines and components. Incremental digitalisation of best engineering practice, analytical portions of industry codes and iterative optimisation tasks enable multiple advantages over typical project execution models. These include (a) maintaining flexibility throughout the design process to deal with changes particularly at critical interface points, (b) utilising computing power to drive an optimised solution, (c) cost and schedule advantages and (d) development of platforms to implement in future projects. These benefits are demonstrated by detailing an application of Genesis’s small-scale digitalisation strategy, as implemented on a pipe-in-pipe (PiP) bulkhead design in the Edvard Grieg Tie-Backs engineering, procurement, construction and installation development in the North Sea. The application of this strategy involved initial scoping and production of a design platform consisting of three Python modules. The platform enabled full parameterisation of a 3D end-bulkhead finite element analysis modelling process and post-processing criteria. The flexibility of this digitalisation strategy enabled simulations of (a) multiple material configurations, such as the application or removal of corrosion resistant cladding and (b) streamlined execution of highly iterative design processes. Through this platform, parallel execution of detail design and procurement was optimised, leading to achievement of material cost savings while minimising schedule and variation impact. This example of small-scale digitalisation establishes a philosophy for the future execution of PiP design and aligns both strategic and incremental steps towards a larger digitalisation initiative.
Keywords: Abaqus, agile, automation, bulkhead, finite element analysis, Python, subsea.
Nigel Lim is a Senior Subsea Engineer with 7 years of experience in the subsea industry. He has been involved in a wide range of project phases from concept studies through to commissioning and start-up, in both greenfield projects and brownfield modifications of subsea and offshore facilities. His main experience includes design of subsea production systems and hardware, specialising in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and construction engineering in offshore assets. In his time with Genesis Oil and Gas, Nigel has contributed to major oil and gas projects in North and Western Australia, including the Prelude FLNG, Prelude Subsea and Bayu Undan while being supplemented by international experience in North Sea and Malaysian projects. Recently, he has been leading efforts within the Genesis organisation to develop digital applications to address key aspects of automation in subsea and flow assurance engineering. |
Lucas Lim is a Subsea Engineer with 3 years of experience in the subsea industry, spanning projects in the North West Shelf, Africa and the North Sea. His technical experience in the industry has included the design and analysis of subsea facilities including spools, piping, structures, pipelines and pipeline components. His passion in programming and software skills growth has supplemented his technical knowledge. He uses this combination to add value to his project scopes while developing multiple digitalisation platforms. |
References
ASME (2018) - BPVC Section VIII: Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels Division 2-Alternative Rules. New York City, U.S.DNVGL Oil and Gas (2015). DNVGL Pipe-In-Pipe Workshop Series: guideline for application of DNV-OS-F101 to pipe-in-pipe systems. DNVGL, London.
