Case Study: Saipem achieves first-time-fit vessel deck design with Luminous Group Ltd’s as-built 3D CAD modelling

Saipem uses Luminous Group Ltd to model a 520-foot vessel for a first-time-fit shallow water work deck

Luminous Group Ltd was engaged by Saipem, a major player in offshore energy, to overcome a significant challenge. Saipem, along with partners Helix and Utec, needed to design a custom shallow water work deck for the Helix Express vessel, which was located in the Gulf of Mexico. The core problem was a lack of up-to-date plans for the vessel's stern, making it impossible to accurately design the new deck in the UK for a perfect fit and to avoid costly clashes with existing equipment during installation.

The solution from Luminous Group Ltd involved creating an accurate as-built 3D CAD model from a third-party 3D laser scan of the vessel. This model, along with a point cloud and TruView deliverables, provided Saipem’s UK-based design team with a precise digital twin of the ship's structure. This allowed them to design and fabricate the new deck with confidence, ensuring it would fit correctly the first time and eliminating the need for expensive rework, thus saving significant vessel time and project costs.

Saipem