Bentley > Case Studies > Dockwise Utilizes Bentley Technology to Halve Topsides Float-over Time

Dockwise Utilizes Bentley Technology to Halve Topsides Float-over Time

Technology Category

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms
Sensors - Utility Meters

Applicable Industries

Oil & Gas
Transportation

Applicable Functions

Procurement
Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Autonomous Transport Systems
Transportation Simulation

Services

System Integration

About The Customer

Dockwise Shipping B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V., is a company that develops innovative solutions for heavy transport and installation (T&I) in the maritime infrastructure sector. With a fleet of 23 semi-submersible vessels and two floating super pallets, Dockwise operates worldwide with its headquarters in Breda, The Netherlands. The company was selected as the T&I contractor for the SHWE field development project in the Bay of Bengal, Myanmar, setting a weight record with the installation of the nearly 22,000-metric ton jacket and 30,000-metric ton topsides with deck support frame for the SHWE platform.

The Challenge

Dockwise, a subsidiary of Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V., was tasked with the installation of the nearly 22,000-metric ton jacket and 30,000-metric ton topsides with deck support frame for the SHWE platform in the Bay of Bengal, Myanmar. This was part of the USD 1.5 billion SHWE field development project. The installation involved one of the largest jackets and one of the heaviest topsides in the world, pushing the limits of the installation barge. The barge's unique bottle shape satisfied the stability and jacket footprint requirements but posed challenges for the mooring arrangement and transportation global strength needs. The short, fat, and heavy jacket also brought challenges to the launch operation. The project was distributed across three office centers in The Netherlands, United States, and China, which posed challenges in data access, accuracy, traceability, and workflow, especially for the final product design drawings.

The Solution

Dockwise utilized Bentley’s offshore platform analysis, design, and installation software, MOSES and SACS, to tackle the engineering challenges. MOSES, a comprehensive suite of analysis software for the installation of offshore structures, was used to calculate all the time-history hydrodynamic-related information such as float-over impact force and motions. SACS, an integrated suite of software for structural analysis and design of offshore structures, was used to dynamically iterate designs, comply with offshore design criteria, and visualize complex results. The data transfer between SACS and MOSES increased project efficiency, enabling the project team to do extensive analysis to verify the ideas in an effective manner. For data management, the project team used MicroStation and ProjectWise. The full integration of MicroStation and ProjectWise provided a natural and easy process for the drawing being transferred between different departments at different locations. It also facilitated the workflow for the review and approval process.

Operational Impact

The use of Bentley technology improved efficiency and accuracy throughout the duration of the project. The topsides float-over analysis was a time-consuming process that required huge data transfer between SACS and MOSES. The ability to transfer data between these two programs was critical and increased project efficiency. The geographic distribution of the project across three office centers allowed key team members to be available 24 hours a day to work on the pre-identified fast-track tasks and unexpected urgent requests from the field. The combination of MicroStation and ProjectWise provided the information mobility solution that Dockwise required for such a large project executed on a global basis. Safety was also a prime consideration during the T&I project. MOSES and SACS were used to simulate the float-over procedure, which provided accurate predictions for the mooring line and equipment impact forces, and verified the mooring line arrangements. These engineering activities significantly reduced the risk of a mooring line break during the operation, and so contributed directly to personal and operational safety. The installation was ultimately performed without any accidents.

Quantitative Benefit

Efficiencies achieved during detail design saved 5,000 man-hours of the 30,000 engineering hours.
Simulations conducted using MOSES and SACS cut the estimated topsides float-over time from four days to two days.
The planned four-day operation was actually reduced to just two days for the float-over operation.