Page 11: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Sep/Oct 2020)

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LEADING OFF Digitalization

This is not necessarily a bad thing, and in reality, no two lined scheduling of feet maintenance activities that are fo- projects will be the same, particularly in the design and op- cused and specifc.

eration of FPSOs where there are vast technical challenges that require numerous detailed process, control, safety, and A CONNECTED FUTURE fow simulations to maximize production, from subsea to The transition from legacy systems to Digital Twin driven offoading. operations will be incremental, which will naturally incorpo-

In a Digital Twin, physics-induced data are used to mirror rate a range of digital solutions to improve asset management and predict the status and life of its corresponding physical and optimization. twin. This enhances the operation of an FPSO by helping The digital tools now entering the market allow operators to both visualize and predict the performance of that asset. to ingest, store, track, and analyze condition data in a way

As the digital twin is designed to continuously collect and that was never possible before. These are technologies we are process operating data from sensors and other data sources, both building and implementing, focused on three prima- it presents a constantly evolving picture of the FPSO’s living ry goals; improving asset reliability, streamlining the Class status at all times. process on offshore operations, and ultimately, supporting

While you may not need all of the potential analysis ca- the improved proftability of the industry. Of course, this is pability available today to support a new FPSO that has just all rooted in a framework of safety and quality spanning an been installed, it is benefcial to deliver a new FPSO with a end-to-end solution. robust condition model to allow you to begin the full lifecycle ABS has developed several innovations to support the of the model alongside the physical asset. Ultimately, it allows monitoring and management of structural, machinery, and operators to better calculate and forecast the remaining life of condition metrics needed for asset management and regula- their asset. tory compliance.

Applying Digital Twin technology as part of a “Digital As- ABS Condition Manager is just one of a suite of advanced set Framework”, allows for a single source of truth that can be new digital services and applications launched by ABS that shared with stakeholders, including owners, operators, project offer unprecedented understanding of the status of an as- fnanciers, insurance providers, and regulators alike. Every- set. A compartment-based, digital visualization of an asset’s body can access the same reports, data, and insights in a way condition, including inspection and repair history, as well that makes sense through data visualization. as critical area monitoring using Class and operational data, the ABS Condition Manager application is a good example

DIGITAL-DRIVEN BUSINESS OUTCOMES of how digital technologies can empower users with insights

The digital solutions applied to an FPSO impact its en- surrounding structural health, anomaly impacts and main- tire value chain, from equipment and inventory to opera- tenance opportunities. The ability of Condition Manager to tional effciency, including optimization of inspections and seamlessly integrate with onboard CMMS systems can result onboard activities. Coupling these digital solutions with in up to a 50% reduction in effort to prepare annual main- traditional risk-based inspection and maintenance planning tenance work plans.

techniques has shown a 10:1 return on investment oppor- ABS is also exploring practical applications of AI-enabled tunity over the total asset life due to optimized repair and inspection capabilities in areas such as corrosion detection, inspection planning. machinery performance, and monitoring, through to accu-

In early project CapEx planning, condition models, sen- mulated fatigue damage on structures based on asset-specifc sor data ingestion tools, remote inspection technology, are all data, and even metocean route planning. aspects of what should be looked at to ensure an FPSO is As we continue to move deeper into a condition-based and future-proofed, so that in 10 years from now, an operator can ultimately predictive approach, we are looking towards more apply the latest predictive analytics techniques to forecast its sophisticated AI and using additional data from onboard sen- remaining asset life. sors for advanced monitoring of vessel health, from the hull

Where operators manage a feet of multiple offshore units, structure to whole-life integrity support with ‘live’ operation using the right digital tools and data insight offers bench- decision support. marking that helps compare one offshore unit’s performance From the design concept, through to construction, opera- against another in the feet. This gives further opportunity tions, and end of life, Class is connected to the asset, and the to improve asset management activities through the effcient digital tools and technology that support it are transforming allocation or re-allocation of resources resulting in stream- the future of FPSO operations.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 11