BP- 3D printed FPSO model
Published on 08/31/2017
The customer
BP P.L.C, formerly known as British Petroleum, is a global energy provider headquartered in the United Kingdom. The company follows a strong philosophy of sourcing and developing energy solutions with low carbon emissions in the interest of achieving renewable, reduced cost energy that promotes climate change.
Project brief
In 2016 BP announced that their latest floating production storage and offload (FPSO) vessel had begun sea trials. The Glen Lyon would play a pivotal role in Quad204, a multi billion pound development project in the North Sea. To mark the occassion, BP asked for a miniature model of the Glen Lyon to be made for their office in London.
The model would be part of a larger display to show the intricate pipework connecting the Glen Lyon with the drilling centres on the seabed. We were asked to produce the model, pipework, drilling centres and acrylic case. BP later decided to have two displays, one for their London office and the other for Aberdeen. The two displays were to be identical and we were to make them both.
The addition of the second model meant we needed to assign additional resources and technologies to the project to ensure we met the deadline.
Process of work
We had a project manager internally to act as a point of contact between BP and the workshop and monitor progress to ensure things were running smoothly and in line with the brief. Both models were made using 3D printing technology and the pipework was done by hand. The case and plinth were supplied by an external workshop and the lead model maker here installed the wiring to light up the drill centres. The models were printed first, followed by the construction of the plinths and case, the lighting, the painting and installation of the model and finally the pipework.
Result
The two displays were delivered on time and undamaged to both the Aberdeen and London offices by the deadline. The project was a success as the client was pleased with the result.
Testimonials
“It was a pleasure working with the team at Premier Ship Models. We were producing quite a complex technical model, and they quickly grasped the many detailed aspects of it. From concept through to the final delivery, they were flexible when changes were asked for. We had a late request to deliver the model earlier due to a major event, and the team at Premier worked extremely hard to meet this deadline. It is clear that they really care about the work they produce, and have a strong sense of pride in delivering something of high quality.”
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