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AVEVA project delivery software to unlock mining EPC cost benefits

Posted on 17 Sep 2019

AVEVA has introduced integrated engineering software designed to help customers transform the way capital projects are engineered, executed and integrated into operations and maintenance, it says.

The integrated portfolio comprises three software solutions: AVEVA Unified Engineering integrates process design with front-end engineering and detailed 3D based design; AVEVA Unified Project Execution links and streamlines procurement and construction processes for capital projects; and AVEVA Enterprise Learning enables the rapid skilling of operators and engineers using Extended Reality (XR) and simulation tools. The latter ensures efficient startups and shutdowns, normal operations, and the ability to handle abnormal situations, it says.

Within mining, AVEVA says it already helps mining operations overcome daunting challenges such as cyclical market demand, ageing production assets, and a workforce in transition with its software solutions.

Craig Hayman, CEO, AVEVA, said the launch builds on the recent news describing AVEVA’s capabilities as “the first company in the engineering and industrial software market to comprehensively address the end-to-end digital transformation imperatives with an integrated portfolio of solutions that deliver efficiency, unlock value and empower people across the lifecycle of capital assets and operational value chains”.

He explained that the solutions would change the way that owner operators engage with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies in designing, building, commissioning, and operating their capital assets.

The company said: “The functionality provided in these integrated solutions enables the realisation of an EPC 4.0 strategy for owner operators, central to digital transformation in the capital-intensive process sectors. This allows collaboration on a global scale, through hybrid cloud architectures and on a common platform. The entire manufacturing process can be traced, tracked, and linked – from engineering and design, through procurement and construction, to handover and to operations and maintenance, as a comprehensive digital twin for the capital asset.

Hayman added: “With the launch of AVEVA Unified Engineering, a first of its kind solution, we are breaking down the silos between engineering disciplines and enabling our customers to turn conceptual designs into 3D models quickly, accelerating engineering to estimation and ensuring designs can be operated before committing billions of dollars.”

New AVEVA Unified Engineering enables the integration of the process model and plant model lifecycles from concept to detailed design, delivering collaboration for multi-discipline engineers to collaborate in the cloud.

The net result, according to AVEVA, is a minimum 50% improvement in engineering efficiency in front-end engineering and design and up to 30% in detail design, which can yield a 3% total installed cost improvement. “These savings can be re-invested to ensure engineering quality, accuracy, and maturity for downstream project execution business processes,” the company said.

“AVEVA Unified Project Execution solutions integrate with AVEVA Unified Engineering to further break down the silos within procurement and construction by combining key disciplines covering contract risk management, materials and supply chain control, and construction management into one cloud based digital project execution environment,” AVEVA said. This could deliver up to 15% reduction in material costs, 10% reduction in field labour costs and reduce unbudgeted supplier change orders by up to 50%, according to the company. This translates to 10% total installed costs savings opportunities for customers.

AVEVA’s Enterprise Learning solutions combine traditional simulation-based learning with 3D connected learning management solutions, according to AVEVA. It extends process models and 3D models from AVEVA Unified Engineering to fast track DCS panel operator training, field operator training, process and maintenance procedural training, and process safety situational awareness training using cloud and XR technology to deliver up to 2% total installed cost reduction by improved operations readiness.

Amish Sabharwal, SVP, Engineering Business, AVEVA, said: the company’s engineering portfolio enhancements will deliver increased agility for its customers, enabling them to reduce cost, risk, and delays, minimising errors and driving rapid capital project execution.

“The cost savings are realised by mitigating capital investment risks at the process design stage, cutting engineering man-hours by up to 30% in plant design, reducing material costs in procurement by up to 15% as well as reducing field labour costs in construction by up to 10%,” he said.

“With these new solutions AVEVA is providing integration across all stages of the capital project, from conceptual design to handover, to optimise collaboration and break down silos between both engineering disciplines and project stages.”