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* By the time we reach the last loop of the spiral, all the system components

and the construction activities should be well defined. Beyond this point, a

few changes to the system and its components could be made without

suffering delays and cost overruns.

Front end loading (FEL) process ends with the completion of the conceptual

design. At this point, the following information is available:

1. A well-defined field development plan,

2. Basis of conceptual design (field characteristics, operational and

environmental parameters, foundation conditions, platform configurations,

global materials selection, and other information and assumptions used for

the concept development),

3. Conceptual drawings showing major component configurations (platforms,

topsides facilities layouts, well locations and well systems, reservoir maps
and production profiles, storage (if needed) and offloading systems,

pipelines to shore) and preliminary component sizes,
4. In general, platform structure configuration is defined by a number of

conceptual drawings that show side elevations and plans for legs and major
bracing. Preliminary process flow diagrams (PFD) and major equipment lists

may also be available,

5. Concept cost estimate (±40%) and schedule for the entire development plan

(including the capital and operational expenses, cash flow diagrams and net

present value - NPV - of the total investment).

A conceptual design package that includes the above-listed information is

prepared by the owner and given to the design contractor as input to the Basic

Design Phase.

* Basic design phase (also called by some as the “define engineering phase” or

the “preliminary design phase”) defines the platform, production facility and

structure configurations and dimensions in satisfactory detail to allow start

of the detailed design.
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