Title:	EDG, Inc.: Using PDMS Technology to Succeed on Small Deepwater Facility Design
Company:	Engineering Development Group, Inc., Metairie, LA
Case History Source:	http://www.plant-design.com/stories/EDGFinal.doc
Case History Author(s):	Cadcentre.
Application:	Smaller offshore deepwater facility projects, especially upgrades and retrofits, which have existing 3D models in customer-specified, proprietary product data format.
As-Is Process:	EDG had extensive 3D experience in offshore design using AutoCAD and a variety of 3rd party add-ons.
To-Be Process:	Provide facilities engineering, design, and drafting support for a Marathon production module that would add capacity to an existing offshore deepwater platform in the northern Gulf of Mexico.  Models of the existing offshore production facility, designed by another engineering firm in 1993, had been created using PDMS, so Marathon specified that EDG also use PDMS to design the new module. Marathon’s aggressive schedule called for fabrication to take place even as the design was progressing. Marathon’s shutdown time was to be kept to a minimum.  Designers needed to incorporate several components rarely used in such a facility, including: Four proprietary vertical centrifugal separators. A combination electrostatic treater and oil storage tank with centrifugal inlet device, vertical electrical grids, flow directional louvers, and matrix packing designed for 45,000 BPD.
To-Be Technology:	PDMS by CadCentre was specified by the client.
How-To Process:	Members of EDG’s design/drafting staff were already well-grounded in 3D CAD, although they had never before used PDMS. Cadcentre provided initial training for 6 EDG people. Once the project was under way, a Cadcentre consultant stayed at EDG for a week to help get the project off to a good start.
ROI:	EDG completed the design of this small but complex modular facility addition while meeting the client’s aggressive completion schedule.
Other Benefits:	Other Benefits to Client: Reduced Overall Project Life Cycle Time using Concurrent Design and Construction.  Clash detection ensured that the construction contractor would get error-free pipe routing, despite the fact that all the piping had not been completed when construction began. Fabricators Worked more Quickly from color prints highlighting new design. Reduced Review and Revision Time by Electronic “Walk Throughs” of the Virtual 3D Model. This factor was especially important on a project with so many unique requirements.
Rating:	Editor's Choice
Comments:	A well documented example of a 3D literate engineering company successfully using a client-specified system and model to advantage.  The case history documentes that with vendor supplied training and support, and client supplied product data, capable engineering firms can meet client requirements and deliverable formats without cost and schedule creep.  In other words, it is the skill in using the tools which matters most.
Company Contact:	Tim Moreau, COO and Engineering Manager, 30001 Division Street, Suite 200, Metairie, LA  70002, 504-455-0858x171, <tjmoreau@edgla.com>, www.edgla.com
Technology Contacts:	Molly E. Hutchins, CADCENTRE Inc, 800 Delaware Ave, Suite 610, Wilmington, DE 19801, 302-427-8600, FAX: 302-427-8118,<M.Hutchins@cadcentre.com>, www.cadcentre.com,