Offshore services providers are looking to improve their efficiency in building and construction projects, reducing execution time and minimising costs. Tekla offers an advanced structuralmodel, which has significantly benefited the work process at Saipem Energy Services.
Founded in 1966 and located in Finland, Tekla develops model-based software products for companies operating in the building and construction sectors. Its Building Information Modelling (BIM) software, Tekla Structures, provides a 3D structural model that can be shared by contractors, structural engineers, steel detailers and fabricators, and application developers.
The all-inclusive nature of the technology makes it an attractive option for companies, including Saipem Energy Services (SES), an international oil and gas contractor that has been working with the software company on the construction of its offshore projects for the past five years.
"The main benefit of working with Tekla is that you can, for the duration of the project, store in a single model all of the necessary information that, in the past, was allocated to different documents," says Giuseppe Frigerio, SES engineering structural manager.
Tekla Structures offers one tool to cover the entire design and construction process. From planning and design development through to fabrication and installation, the software model develops alongside the physical building. There are several advantages to this.
"We have one source for all of the company's departments and are assured of the consistency of the information extracted," explains Frigerio.
"We also have a more efficient and reliable monitoring process for the weight of the platform structure and its subassemblies. The model facilitates the transfer of information between remote centres involved in the project. The information required for studying modifications on existing offshore plants is immediately available."
Implementing Tekla software has also enabled SES to upgrade the efficiency of its processes in many ways.
"The rational standardisation of structural connections and welding details has improved," Frigerio says. "The generation of a unique model that can collect the information required by the purchasing department and the fabrication yard, is another advantage. Tekla Structures also enables easy interfacing with software such as PDS
and PDMS, which are in common use by other technical departments."
Full involvement
The Italian contractor is currently working with Tekla on two EPC contracts: SES is completing the detailed design of the topside modules and the structures are being modelled by Tekla. Yet the software solution company is not solely used for the modelling phase.
"We are involved in feasibility studies for the development of offshore fields and Tekla is extensively used in the concept definition of the installations," explains Frigerio. "Also, we have 'normal bid activities' and Tekla is often required for the verification of material
lists, structure weights and fabrication sequences."
Tekla's proven expertise in the modelling of structures purpose designed for the offshore industry means that software can be customised for the specific demands of SES projects.
Features include the management system of the welds and the weld detailing as well as the geometry of the intersection of the circular hollow sections and the related offsetting. Frigerio also notes the improvement in the capabilities for 2D drawing and the functionality for user generation of macro-instructions.
As Tekla and SES look to the future, further collaboration seems inevitable. From Frigerio's perspective, the main challenge facing the industry is the rapidity with which offshore projects are expected to be completed and the software company can provide a solution.
"Tekla appears to be a proper tool for the quick and easy modelling of a structure, providing reliable information at the same time," he concludes.
"SES is constantly cooperating with Tekla to develop additional customisations with the aim of increasing the efficiency of the programme and consequently the work process."
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