Onshore Structural Design Calculations

Power Plant and Energy Processing Facilities

Mohamed A. El-Reedy

• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9780081019450
• Topic: Technologie et ingénierie
• Subtopic: Ingénierie civile

Onshore Structural Design Calculations: Energy Processing Facilities provides structural engineers and designers with the necessary calculations and advanced computer software program instruction for creating effective design solutions using structural steel and concrete, also helping users comply with the myriad of international codes and standards for designing structures that is required to house or transport the material being processed.

In addition, the book includes the design, construction, and installation of structural systems, such as distillation towers, heaters, compressors, pumps, fans, and building structures, as well as pipe racks and mechanical and electrical equipment platform structures. Each calculation is discussed in a concise, easy-to-understand manner that provides an authoritative guide for selecting the right formula and solving even the most difficult design calculation.

• Provides information on the analysis and design of steel, concrete, wood, and masonry building structures and components
• Presents the necessary international codes and calculations for the construction and the installation of systems
• Covers steel and concrete structures design in industrial projects, such as oil and gas plants, refinery, petrochemical, and power generation projects, in addition to general industrial projects

Chapter 1

Engineering Management

Abstract

Oil, gas, and power generation projects have special economic and technical characteristics. Managing these types of projects requires both special skills and an overview of all project phases. Economically, facilities are dependent on oil and gas production, which is directly correlated to global investment, which is in turn affected by the price of oil. In 2008, e.g., oil prices increased worldwide; as a result, many projects were started during that time period. During the writing of this book, on the other hand, the price has dramatically decreased, which has caused many problems for investments in many projects worldwide.

Keywords

Engineering management; project cost; life cycle; field development; front-end engineering design; cost control

1.1 Introduction

Oil, gas, and power generation projects have special economic and technical characteristics. Managing these types of projects requires both special skills and to an overview of all project phases. Economically, facilities are dependent on oil and gas production, which is directly correlated to global investment, which is in turn affected by the price of oil. In 2008, e.g., oil prices increased worldwide; as a result, many projects were started during that time period. During the writing of this book, the price has dramatically decreased, which has caused many problems for investments in many projects worldwide.

Only a limited number of faculties of engineering focus on concrete and steel structure in industrial projects, as it needs special consideration, especially compared to the engineering faculties focused on residential building, which is based on more traditional activities in the market. The engineering design for the industrial facilities in general depends on special codes and standards specific for these types of activities.

All the major multinational companies that work in oil, gas, or energy in general are interested in the industrial facilities. These companies provide continuous support for research and development that will enhance the ability of their engineering firms and construction contractors to support their business needs.

1.2 Overview of Field Development

Estimated global oil reserves based on geological and geophysical studies and oil and gas discoveries as of January 1996 indicate that about 53% of current reserves are in the Middle East. Overall, 60% of reserves are controlled by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Obviously, OPEC and the Middle East are vital to the world’s current energy needs.

During this phase, due to the absence of detailed information about reservoir characteristics, future market conditions, and field-development alternatives, experts make judgments based on their past experience, on cost, and based on data available from previous history. The success of oil and gas companies depends on this expertise, so most companies keep experts on hand and compete with each other to recruit them. When the experiential data is not enough, decisions are made through joint brainstorming sessions between experts and management, which are greatly affected by a company’s culture and past experiences.

1.2.1 Project Cost Versus Life Cycle

Field development for a new project or for extending existing facilities is a multistep process. The first step is gathering input data, such as the reservoir and environmental data; the selection and design of major system components, such as the production drilling, wells, facilities, and off-take system; and the decision criteria, such as the economics. The next step is evaluating the different field-development options that satisfy the input requirements and establishing their relative merits with respect to the decision criteria. In this design process loop, alternatives for both each system and for field-development systems need to be taken into account.

For the next stage, a conceptual design for the selected system is required. In this phase, the selection activity focuses on the system components and detail elements. Design iterations are generated until each member of the engineering and operations team are satisfied from a technical point of view. All the system components and construction activities must be well defined.

Once the design is completed, few changes to the system and its components can be made without suffering delays and cost overruns.

All project activities that precede the start of the detailed design phase are called the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase. FEED is the most important phase of a project life cycle.

An ideal field-development schedule should allow sufficient lead time for performance of all FEED work before detailed design starts.

Experience shows that the FEED phase will identify viable options; develop, evaluate, and select concepts; and provide a conceptual design. The FEED phase usually consumes only about 2–3% of the total project cost (TPC) of field development (El-Reedy, 2011) and has the highest impact on cost, schedule, quality, and success. It is common to observe major cost overruns when a full FEED phase is not performed. Reanalysis of projects that did not have a satisfactory FEED phase because of political factors indicates that a 50% TPC reduction could have been achieved if a satisfactory FEED phase had been performed.

The FEED phase shows the variation in the accuracy of the TPC estimates in different phases of a project. In general, our understanding of the economics and other features of a field-development system improve as we move along the project life cycle. At the start of the FEED phase, a number of options are available and identifying the right field-development concept will profoundly influence a project’s success. Selection and definition of the system components and subcomponents also have a significant impact on costs and/or the schedule. At this phase, the accuracy of the TPC estimates is approximately ±15% to ±25%.

The ability to influence cost and savings decreases with progress along the project life cycle. At the concept-development stage, the selection and development of the right concepts have a major impact on the TPC. Savings in the detailed design and construction phases generally stem from good project control and execution, which result in TPC optimization. The final design phase provides detailed engineering analysis and design, approved-f...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• About the Author
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Engineering Management
• Chapter 2. Loads on the Industrial Structures
• Chapter 3. Static Equipment Foundation Design
• Chapter 4. Steel and Concrete Storage Tank
• Chapter 5. Steel Structures in Industry
• Chapter 6. Blast Resistance Building Design
• Chapter 7. Design of a Foundation Under Vibrating Equipment
• Chapter 8. Soil Investigation and Pile Design
• Chapter 9. Assessment for Structures in Industrial Plants
• Index