solution which can still be used to calculate the field at any point (including points at infinity) without dividing up the exterior space. This results in a boundary source formulation known as the Boundary Element Method (BEM). For users solving high-


are added to the solution. So the real question is which


method is better? Like most practical solution methods there is no broad answer that covers all practical applications. In general, for any particular problem, one method may have a high advantage


BY TURNING TO THE APPROPRIATE MODELLING SOFTWARE, THE INDUSTRY CAN SPEED UP


TECHNOLOGICAL IMPLEMENTATION AND MEET TODAY’S GREEN CRITERIA


frequency problems, the method is sometimes referred to as the Method of Moment (MoM). The two methods are radically different in terms of implementation but should, theoretically, approach the same results as more unknowns


Friso Veenstra at Elsevier


T


he oil and gas industry is very focused, and more so than a few years ago, on finding new sources


of oil. Exploration geologists, especially those in new ventures, need to gain a quick overview of the geology, which is the determining factor when it comes to expectations of where oil will be found. This can only be proven by drilling, of course, but that is an incredibly expensive decision to make and


Alain Floutier,


marketing, energy and shipbuilding industry at Dassault Systèmes


W


ithin the oil and gas industry, our portfolio of software includes 3D modelling,


maintenance, operator training, 3D documentation, and project management. Solutions like ours are used by three main groups; the first are owners and operators of off-shore platforms and refineries. The second consists of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies that design and construct the plants themselves.


46 SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING WORLD


over the other. In many cases either method will work equally as well. For problems where large volumes of free space need to be modelled, boundary elements are normally the preferred method of solution. This is especially true for


so before taking that leap, people need to be 100 per cent sure that they will find something. That process begins with


publicly-available sources of information, such as maps, and the issue of geographical information systems (GIS). GIS is a popular tool within the industry and once a geologist finds the appropriate maps they will often want to import them. However, Geologists have always faced two major problems. First, finding the right map can be hard. Out of thousands of articles, how do you find the ones


The final group – the industry equipment suppliers – design and manufacture the equipment. All of this is done with 3D modelling software. Once a plant is operational,


tasks and sub tasks can be optimised by experiencing the environment in dynamic 3D. For example, the movement of cranes can be studied in advance to ensure there is no risk of collision. The operators can also be effectively trained through the use of virtual representations of maintenance tasks. One of the main benefits of being trained in simulation is that the operator can repeat tasks, or be confronted with dangerous situations over and over again until


many electric and magnetic field sensors used in most real-world applications such as position and speed sensors or sensors used for crack detection in a wide variety of pipes or other metallic objects. However, for many devices such as motors, generators or solenoids the relative amount of air space is small compared to the volume of the device. Also, nonlinear material


properties are inherently more easily dealt with using finite elements as opposed to boundary elements. For time harmonic problems involving antennas and scattering, the preferred method of solution is the Method of Moments. Solving problems in the time domain for electromagnetic interference and compatibility


you need? Secondly, in order to compare two maps, they need to be resized, or georeferenced. You can’t overlay a map of


Africa over the city of Cairo and expect to get meaningful results unless they are to scale. Before computers, geologists would have to painstakingly redraw maps in order to compare two or three of them. As technology advanced, geologists were able to overlay hundreds of maps, but they still had to scale each one, which could take anywhere from five minutes to five hours, depending on the map.


his responses become instinctive. Situations can be dramatic, especially when dealing with leaks or bad weather, and this type of training enables different scenarios to be played out. This type of software has been


on the market for years from different vendors, but the key point for engineers is to not only do 3D modelling, but to do so in an efficient way by integrating all the stakeholders within a project. It is important to have a level of collaboration where everyone is working on the same database and can discuss the same issues, such as assembly concerns. This is a very mature industry and, prior to four or five years ago,


are usually handled by the finite difference time domain which, like the finite element method, also requires the volume to be discretised. The tools required to solve the


larger variety of electromagnetic problems involved in the oil and gas industry include finite elements, boundary elements and finite difference methods. The correct method is determined by the underlying geometry, materials and sources of a particular problem. In the past each of these issues would have required lengthy physical testing, but by turning to the appropriate modelling software, the oil and gas industry can speed up technological implementation and meet today’s green criteria.


Launched in September 2010,


Geofacets, is an online tool that allows geologists to easily find and use maps that are already georeferenced. They can search maps by location, type of map or keyword. The maps can then be inserted directly into programs like GIS. Geofacets contains tens of thousands of maps from 31 of the leading journals in earth science. This provides individuals with a more comprehensive view of the subsurface and removes several steps by gathering and formatting the maps, and allowing them to be used in GIS.


3D modelling software has not been given a lot of consideration. As oil and gas companies


explore ways of optimising the construction and maintenance of a plant, however, we do see it becoming more commonplace. The effect that modelling software can have on a company’s ROI is definitely being noticed and hopefully we will see it being adopted on a global scale. If you look at the car manufacturing or aerospace industries, there is no question of 3D modelling being used, regardless of whether it is during design, analysis, or manufacturing – everything is done through 3D and then explored via simulation software.


www.scientific-computing.com


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