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Good relationship between people – the most important thing in a project!

Focus Techouse Engineering has contributed with engineering work on regas modules for Wärtsilä for several years. Well-functioning digital collaboration platforms and regular project meetings are the foundation for successful projects, but the most important ingredient in a good collaboration is the relationship between the participants.

The task of the regas process is to convert liquefied natural gas (LNG) from liquid to gaseous form so that it can be used for gas networks on land, for gas power plants and in the processing industry. In simple terms, LNG is supplied with heat from seawater and goes from minus 160 degrees in liquid form to the gas phase at about five degrees. During this process, the pressure of the gas is increased from atmospheric pressure to about 100 bar. The regas modules are usually mounted on ships with large LNG tanks.

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions in Asker is a major world-wide supplier of regas modules. With a global client base, the company is an expert in the systems design that indicate the size and number of the necessary equipment and components. Furthermore, they decide how these should be linked together and how the process is controlled. Focus Techouse Engineering is engaged in many assignments for Wärtsilä. Their role in the regas projects is the structural design, layout and pipe design. Focus Techouse Engineering builds a digital 3D model that contains essential information about components, structural elements, pipes and cable trays. Emergency exits and maintenance access are determined and modeled. Focus Techouse Engineering also performs stress analyzes for structures and pipes, in addition they dimension the module so that it can withstand dynamic loads from the process itself, but also from weather, wind, waves and explosions. Geir Kirkemo, project manager at Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, explains:

“Even though the technology is well known, the projects are unique and always demanding in nature. Available space is limited, low temperatures and high pressures pose challenges. Loads from waves and explosions also require a high degree of competence and experience. The facilities must also be approved by classification companies such as ABS, DNV-GL, Lloyds Register or equivalent partners. Even though the building blocks can be the same from project to project, tailoring is always required for each project. The time we have available for implementation is also always limited“, he emphasizes.

Tools for collaboration

The teams at Wärsilä Oil & Gas Systems in Asker and Focus Techouse Engineering in Tønsberg have weekly project meetings where they review the layout and status of each project. In addition, they have technical discussions on a daily basis to ensure to meet the customers’ requirements and expectations.

“We benefit from several digital tools. Among others, we use Smartsheet where Focus Techouse Engineering presents the progress and current status. We also use Smartsheet to identify and follow up actions for both Wärtsilä and Focus Techouse Engineering. Smartsheet is used to source summary reports during the project. In addition to this, we get a 3D model converted into Navisworks and shared in Smartsheet. Drawings and documents are sent via the document control function. This is a part of the quality assurance process and helps us to ensure that we are always working in the correct version and ensure that the end customer receives the correct document“, Kirkemo continues.

Competent employees and close cooperation

Wärtsilä and Focus Techouse Engineering have developed a valuable working relationship, and Wärtsilä has full confidence in Focus Techouse Engineering’s status reports during the project.

“The digital tools contribute to a transparent and predictable implementation, but the most important thing is the excellent personal contact we have established between our teams. The employees at Focus Techouse Engineering possess the knowledge we are looking for. They understand project implementation and realize what is important to report on and inform about, and further what priorities should be made. Hence, we are very happy with the personal contact we have. The employees of Focus Techouse Engineering are in tune with our way of working. They understand our project implementation model and they respond quickly when and where required.

In collaboration with Focus Techouse Engineering, we also get to discuss with the resource experts directly without any intermediaries. This is essential and works very well for us“, Kirkemo concludes.