The K8-FA-3 platform is an unmanned gas producing platform in the Dutch Sector of the Southern North Sea (SNS) and is part of the NAM (Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappija), a Dutch petroleum company.
Production from this platform started in 1978 when the platform had 4 gas producing wells, which is then sent upstream to other platforms before heading onshore for further treatment and drying.
In recent years, in order to reduce running costs and minimize regular maintenance programs, producers are regularly looking at a process called de-complexing. This entails removing the platform of its superfluous structural requirements, simplifying the gas processing, making the platform environmentally friendly by enhancing the use of solar / wind energy to self-generate power and lastly ensuring the platform meets the current up to date design codes and safety standards.
In 2019 Pinnacle Consulting Engineers were approached to design and detail the K8-FA-3 de-complexing program. The approach we adapted at the onset was similar to the successful Leman Delta campaign by firstly constructing an ‘As Built’ model from the existing drawings and ‘Point Cloud’ information available.
What benefits utilizing BIM and Tekla software brought to the project?
Right through the 18-month project, a weekly IFC model was issued to the client as well as final construction .stp files of each completed work pack sent to the Process Engineer for inclusion into a PDMS model.
During the Construction phase, General Arrangement, lifting plans and fabrication drawings were issued to both UK and Dutch fabricators.
3D destruct drawings were prepared giving clear sequential order, weights and C.O.G for accurate lifting offshore.
Having used Tekla on a number of offshore projects over the last few years, the ‘interoperability’ between all stakeholders software systems and the availability to export and receive all information in different required formats proved seamless…….’No problems…only solutions’
The project in numbers
| Dimensions | De-complexed platform | Original platform |
| Length (L) | 54.50m | 60.10m |
| Width (W) | 27.50m | 33.10m |
| Height (H) | 40.25m (LAT) | 60.60m (LAT) |
