New approach to offshore dimensional surveys

Project Summary

Current methods of implementing repair orders such as pipework spool replacements are time consuming, labour intensive and repetitive. Offshore dimensional surveys involve data gathering of hundreds of individual coordinate points and cross-checking against sketches and photographs to obtain enough information for an engineer to generate an accurate isometric drawing.

Eserv sought to develop a sustainable, seamless offshore survey and engineering workflow utilising advanced laser scanning technology. The new survey and engineering workflow for pipework spool replacements develops a 3D visualisation of the site and integrates software packages to model pipe spools, which in turn automatically generate isometric drawings for construction. This results in improved data quality which optimises production/efficiency and reduces maintenance costs, whilst also improving safety and mitigating human error.

The technology pulls together three pieces of existing software to create one product which reengineers fabrication drawings. It allows operators to rapidly reduce their backlog of survey, design and inspection activity on brownfield projects, modifications, and repair orders.

Extensive testing of the new workflow process was supported through demonstration using workshop test rigs.

Industry value:
This new approach to offshore surveys has the potential to reduce costs by up to 80% compared to traditional methods.

Key results:
The project demonstrated successful dynamic modelling of a spool piece including bolt hole rotation and flange orientation with point cloud data surveying. Combining various software into a 3D working model was proven successful. The development of a new survey workflow, utilising and interfacing a range of software, significantly reduced offshore survey time and costs by allowing office-based teams to undertake the labour-intensive work onshore.

Notable benefits include:

• Safety improvements through a substantial reduction in onsite visits
• Improvement in asset management, communication and traceability
• Reduction in offshore survey costs (up to 80%)
• Bespoke intelligent software and technology which mitigates human error
• Efficiency through faster turnaround

Since the completion of this project, Eserve International, has secured contracts in the millions of pounds and created several jobs.

Lessons learned:
More research into the methodology and trial/error with the data to ensure the company get positive results consistently will further benefit the technology.