Conceptual Studies
The oil and gas division specialises in conceptual studies across a wide range of facility types and project stages. These studies encompass areas such as:

› Process engineering studies
› Operational support
› Modifications to existing facilities
› Cost estimating
› Structural engineering
› Flow assurance.

Process Engineering
Xodus boasts a team of process engineers in UK and in Australia, experienced in the traditional upstream process engineering skills such as process simulation (predominantly using Hysys®, but also proficient in other packages), equipment sizing, capacity assessment and debottlenecking etc.

The process team comprises a range of skills with experienced gained from detailed design contractors and operators alike. Advice can be offered on specialist topics such as:

› Sour gas processing
› Gas compression (including compressor control, with specific CCC experience)
› Relief and blowdown systems
› Heavy oil processing
› Produced water treatment
› Flow Assurance.

Simulation tools available daily to the process team include:

› Hysys®
› HTFS
› OLGA®
› Pipesim
› Prosper GAP
› Multiflash.

Operational Support
The term "operational support" belies the variety of support offered by Xodus. Recently it has been a major part of our business including the following areas: Heat Exchanger design reviews, turndown reviews, HP/LP Interface assessment, blowdown simulations, dynamic simulations and facilitation of partner meetings. In these assignments, most of which have been on behalf of the major oil operators in the North Sea, the understanding of our clients business and the ability to act "as if we are the operator" has been clearly demonstrated.

Conceptual Modifications to Existing Facilities
Xodus have considerable experience in carrying our conceptual studies for modifications required to existing offshore facilities, mainly to accommodate the tie-back of subsea fields. The oil and gas division combines the skills of its process engineers and other disciplines, in particular structural, to assess modification impacts, ultimately leading to a robust basis for a cost estimate.

Facilities engineers in the oil and gas division are also supported by an in-house CAD team, able to produce PFDs, P&IDS, layout drawings and more.

Cost Estimating
Xodus are also skilled in creating costs estimates for a range of conceptual assessments. These normally fall into 2 categories; Concept and Brownfield.

For field development concept estimates, Xodus use the Que$tor cost estimating package as the basis for the estimate. Que$tor provides an excellent basis for comparison of concepts and is flexible enough to allow adjustment of norms and costs. This enables Xodus engineers to tailor any estimate based on their experience and any unusual aspects of a particular concept.

For brownfield estimates Xodus have developed a robust in-house methodology based on a more detailed basis (MTO’s etc.). In our experience, producing an accurate brownfield estimate at a conceptual study stage is fraught with difficulty and there are no simplified models or spreadsheets based on equipment weight factors which can do the job. However, we do know that the combination of experienced engineers and an early site visit is key to providing a reasonable basis for an estimate. Our engineers are supported by cost estimating professionals who ensure that the correct norms and market rates are being used.

For more information contact:
Stephen Swindell, Director – Oil & Gas Division
Tel: +44 (0)1224 628302 Email: