Onshore Pipeline Routing (Vline)

Abstract

Fluor's in-house Vline software establishes connections to external data sources and imports the data into Vline to automatically build a model of the pipeline route using engineering, topographical and survey data. This data is used as the source to automatically build pipeline alignment sheets and typical drawings and also to generate design data and lists for input to engineering design and analysis.

The innovative and unique aspect of the software is the built-in automation to generate pipeline data such as topographical profiles for other software packages to perform calculations, prepare plan / profile, crossing and special section drawings and input for capital expenditure optimization.

Built-in routines can calculate pipeline profile and produce a materials take off (MTO) based on items labeled thereby facilitating the development of other pipeline documents. Automated output includes: MTOs for pipes, bends, tees, flanges etc. for cost estimates and specifications and data sheets; pipe profile analysis for upheaval buckling, stress and for input into flow assurance software; cut and fill volumes; crossing lists; pipeline wall thickness calculations; terrain profile angles; pipeline bend fitting (spline); pipe vs. ground profile deviations; and built-in interface with other software databases.

Client Benefits

The business need to cost-effectively produce pipeline-related drawings and lists is fully addressed by Vline as the often repetitive and laborious tasks associated with building alignment sheets are largely eliminated. A customization interface is included within the program, which deals with issues such as data band locations, attributes, frame sheets, etc., leaving the designer free to concentrate on the model build.

The major advantage of Vline is its ability to accept changes and modifications and to direct these changes directly to the deliverable documents. All survey data is managed within Vline to maintain a consistent background view across multiple documents. "Nested" data contained within the external reference files can be read by Vline and appropriate labels extracted and added to drawings. Pipeline routes can be "refreshed," and this will update all affected values within the associated documents/drawings.