The Operation
During a proactive inspection campaign of one of their jacket platform assets, a North Sea based operator identified a requirement to strengthen a K-node member.
From previous experience our customer, a marine contractor, understood that any mis-alignment of the design would hinder the install campaign and place strain on the budget. In order to work with an accurate understanding of the data, they requested a 3D scan of the area in question. Viewport3 were awarded the work based on previous tasks completed for same operator.
The Challenge
Significant changes in geometry had taken place since the K-node was installed. As a result, the pin-point accuracy of the Viewport3 scanning system proved especially valuable.
The use of divers on this project meant it was necessary to not only design a capture methodology that suited the delivery method, but also to manage that system during the campaign.
Results were verified with the customer onboard, prior to Viewport3 departing the field.
The Solution
The Viewport3 method deployed during the scanning activity helped the client to perform a diver-only campaign. Project specific cameras and lighting arrangements were custom designed for an air-diver arrangement, enabling the use of high-end data capture equipment which offered truly sub-millimetric accuracy levels.
Close collaboration with the customer ensured that the dive team were prepared for the task in hand, and conversant with the equipment very quickly.
Our experience with air-diving helped us to prepare efficiently and work hand-in-hand with the vessel crew to deliver a high-end result to the customer.
The Result
The scanning results enabled the marine contractor to fully understand the K-node in a 3D environment, including information on weld cap locations and heights, as well as the detail of a castellated liner which had previously been fitted to the subject member. The designers were then able to model a clamp which correctly reflected the ‘as-is’ condition of the subsea hardware.
We were very pleased to learn that the clamp install was completed without delay or modification, helping the operator to maximise project value.
This project proved extremely valuable for Viewport3. Our work validated the benefits of using accurate 3D scan data as a basis for engineering design which would subsequently aid the efficiency of offshore operations.
In Numbers
It is estimated that the installation campaign was completed several days earlier than would have been the case with conventional methods, while the accuracy of the data removed the need for any on-site fitting rework.
As a result, we were soon engaged on a similar project for the same operator.
