OPTILIFT offshore lifting and logistics

Project Information

OPTILIFT

Grant agreement ID: 674094

DOI

10.3030/674094

Project closed

EC signature date 27 April 2015

Start date 1 May 2015

End date 30 September 2015

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

VOCA AS
Norway

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - OPTILIFT (OPTILIFT offshore lifting and logistics)

Reporting period: 2015-05-01 to 2015-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

"The OptiLift framework employs intelligent / novel image and sensor processing approaches to significantly improve offshore lifting and logistics operations in the oil & gas sector. The technology is built around a sensor unit and a custom software solution. The sensor units are installed at crane boom tips and sensor readings are processed for producing information and control that can vastly improve efficiencies of various operations. The solution is easily installed and maintained, and is thus highly cost effective while fully scalable.

The main objectives are to (1) extend the weather window for offshore lifting operations, (2) increase safety for offshore personnel and cargo, (3) improve the logistics planning and tracking, (4) reduce the need for ""floating warehouses"" and (5) improve the efficiency for offshore transportation.

One of the most prominent advantages of the OptiLift framework is that it does not require instrumentation of vessels or cargo to be tracked. It only requires installation of sensor unit on the cranes involved."

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first phase of the OPTILIFT SME project (1) market feasibility, (2) financial feasibility, (3) IPR assessment, and (4) technical feasibility studies were performed.

Market feasibility study was executed for offshore oil & gas, and offshore wind energy markets. Financial feasibility study shows the potential of the business model for OptiLift as well as the economies of scale. IPR assessments were performed with an updated search on the prior art. Through the technical feasibility study, FMECAs were executed for the modules of the technology platform, defining risks and mitigating actions.

Conclusion is that the project is viable and has a great potential to succeed.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Expected final results of the project is a unified technology platform that will (1) reduce costs related to delayed and cancelled lifting operations by increasing the window of operations for lifting, (2) reduce costs related to floating warehouses through better utilization of deck capacity on vessels and installations, (3) reduce costs related to logistics planning and handling, (4) avoid costly accidents related to improper handling of dangerous goods and (5) improve the safety for personnel and minimizing damage or loss of equipment.

OPTILIFT sensor unit mounted on an offshore crane.