Offshore Engineering

The purpose of concept design and feasibility studies is to develop initial designs based on the client’s goals, estimate costs, and identify the most suitable alternatives for a fit-for-purpose design.

The process begins with the client’s business plan or vessel/service description and concludes with a decision on project continuation, based on discussions with all involved parties.

In the case of an FPSO conversion project, it is vital to identify the candidate vessel during this phase to base the design on the actual hull to be converted. Additionally, assessing the hull’s condition allows tendering yards account for necessary steel modifications and new equipment.

At the end of the concept/feasibility project, the company or operator can issue Requests for Quotation (RFQ) to construction yards.

The purpose of the FEED phase is to establish technical project-specific requirements to ensure that the project’s scope is implicit.

This phase aims to develop the project’s strategy, a more detailed design, assess costs, and confirm the feasibility and safety of the vessel. FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) includes basic design (class approval), layout drawings, calculation reports, equipment technical specifications, and a preliminary 3D model. FEED focuses on the technical and safety requirements and can be divided into separate packages covering different portions of the project.

The FEED package is used as the basis for bidding on Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts.

During the FEED phase, there is close communication between Project Owners, Operators, and Topside, SURF, and Mooring contractors.

Following the completion of FEED, the detail design phase serves as an important step in refining and finalizing a project’s design.

This phase contains detailed diagrams (e.g., P&IDs, block diagrams) and design documentation for construction, instrumentation, control systems, electrical facilities, management of suppliers, schedule of activities, procurement of equipment, and consideration of environmental impacts during operation.

The project’s detailed engineering stage will confirm, validate, and, if required, modify the assumptions and design solutions made during the FEED. Interfaces between Topside and Subsea Contractors are crucial during the detail design.

Detailed engineering produces outputs such as two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional models used for production, installation, and commissioning.