End-To-End Digital AWP Based Project Delivery, LNG Case Study
Authors: Srivastava Yogesh Chandra , Granata Consuelo , Upadhyay Priyanshu , Algozino Corrado , Srivastava Abhishek 
Published: October 2022

Objectives/Scope

An expansion multi-billion dollar LNG plant EPC project has successfully adopted end to end digital project delivery overcoming numerous challenges. The complete Engineering, Procurement and Construction works, is scheduled to be commissioned by 2025. An extension of the existing liquefaction complex comprising of six complete trains and associated facilities, meant to increase the national LNG production by 35%. The complexity of multiple inter-continental entities, systems and cultural divisions between Engineering, Procurement (in Europe) and Construction driven from Far-east had been significant and further compounded by Covid.

To align all parties early using the Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) method and digitally mapping the systems and enormous data generated from each department (working in silos), were the main challenges in taking the job further from FEED in to Detail Engineering and Site Execution. The entities involved had adopted the AWP method first time for project delivery.

Methods, Procedures, Process

Based on the Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) and Workface Planning (WFP) philosophy, the whole project have been managed through a highly effective building sequence based digital detailed work packages for Engineering, Preconstruction planning and Onsite installation (EWPs, CWPs and IWPs respectively). The digital collaboration between departments and teams located in multiple countries, made all that possible and has been the key to success.

The JV engaged subject matter experts in AWP, and also implemented an end to end digital project delivery platform. The platform was implemented as a non-disruptive overlay to over 15 different pre-existing software and tools. Their interaction into a single digital platform has been extremely important to connect and manage the various stage of the process. All the information from Engineering, Procurement and Construction flow in one unique database and interact each other. That allows all stakeholders, including the Owner, to manage and have the full visibility of all EPC phases. A huge amount of data and information centralized, digitalized and made available to all stakeholders. The flexibility in the customization of the various modules and dashboards of the system, has been imperative due to the different setups and approach to Construction from JV's companies and that's the biggest vantage to manage properly all phases of the project.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

According to various analysis performed on the project schedule, the Engineering phase got a 10% reduction of manhours investment against a contemporary AWP implementation, because of taking a digital approach. The project has started to experience a schedule compression consequently in Construction activities, that have started earlier than planned. By utilizing the automatic breakdown of CWPs into IWPs, considering the crew size and their rates, has led to a significant reduction in manhours spent for the WFP activities at site and in terms of number of personnel required. The early preparation has started to reduce the uncertainties faced in the field.

Construction progress details are made visible through the system and utilising some of the 3D functions, and also get a graphical representation on a colour coded 4D report.

The selective account permissions, makes relevant data available to any stakeholder in an easy to use and simple manner, depending on the department and company. One can view and work only on the required portion of the total scope, reducing the time of chasing information when dealing with huge amount of data. Furthermore, it provided a great advantage to allow setting up the contractual requirements based on the visibility of information to the project leadership of each company involved.

Novel/Additive Information

Conventionally, AWP implementation is resource intensive and time consuming for any new entity. Directly implementing this in mega project with companies in a JV situation is even more challenging.

Taking a digital first approach and adopting a strong framework enabled by cloud based technology has been a great advantage for all departments and stakeholders involved. The project has avoided lost time in chasing information and people, decreased the risk of common mistakes in data retrieval and have increased their productivity. The advanced planning and the interaction with the project schedule, the deliverables and the materials availability in real time has been done smoothly. Furthermore, the Machine learning based material visibility, management of various warehouses have helped implement a smooth material pull for the project. The GIS based scope management along with the various 3D functions, are being used along with machine learning to drive continuous improvement for the success of the LNG project.