Research engineer with an offshore service provider Nils Kulisnik

After finishing my master studies in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Ship and Offshore Technology at the University of Duisburg-Essen, I started working for a company in The Netherlands. This company operates worldwide, in the offshore field. It has specialized on installing offshore pipelines, mounting and dismantling of offshore structures and working on sea beds.

As I had completed my master thesis in this company, I was offered the position of an engineer directly afterwards, in the R&D department.

I have since been working on a research project concerning the investigation of the impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the strength of stone samples. I have also been working on commercial projects, involving project-related modifications of existing equipment or the development of new equipment. My work group is currently mainly focused on modifications of our work vessel which is used to prepare the seabed for the installation of pipelines.

Shipbuilding engineer at an engineer's office Simon Dillenburg

For many companies, it is inefficient to develop special skills which are rarely being used. These services are provided by engineer’s offices which are specialised in such particular skills. Such services, for example, are provided for areas like offshore wind, offshore oil and gas, shipbuilding, recoveries or the dismantling of platforms.

In hydrodynamics, the tasks may involve the analysis of seakeeping characteristics of floating structures. This may include the analysis of sea transports (Accelerations? How large is the maximum roll angle? How does the load have to be secured? How do you manage to do this with regard to cost and time efficiency and with as little material as possible?) or offshore operations. Offshore operations include the following:

• Crane operations (up to which wave height is the operation safe? What are the dynamic loads?)
• Installation of pipelines, sea cables (Will the permissible stress not be exceeded?)
• Platform installation (e.g. Float-Over) (What are the loads when dropping the topsides on the jacket? Are the required clearances adhered to?
• Analysis of mooring systems (Does the anchor remain in the seabed? Which loads does the equipment have to withstand?)

 

Mostly, loads are determined, taking into account the current environmental conditions or those which do not cause too high structural strain. Here, weather statistics and time frames have to be taken into consideration.

Some engineer’s offices develop the whole design of complete platforms which are later built in the customer’s shipyard. These steps include the development of the concept and is continued in the basic design. The structure is analysed and designed (fatigue, extreme wind and wave loads, operational loads, collision with ships, etc.), transport and installation are planned. In some cases the engineer’s office also assists in the manufacture and implementation of the platform.

Project engineer at an engineer's office offshore structures Johannes Myland

A project engineer in the offshore field you deal with structures which have been erected on the seabed in the sea or with floating structures. These structures may have been designed for the offshore wind field as well as for the oil and gas field.

In this context, in a medium-sized engineer’s office, a project engineer’s tasks include, amongst others, the design of constructions or structures, the development of technical solutions, proof of structural design and feasibility as well as the preparation of the relevant technical documents (mainly drawings and reports). Each project requires individual solutions for each offshore structure and customer. The project engineer may be required to work outside his office on shipyards or on structures in the sea in order to work on projects or supervise the installation of the structure.

Shipbuilding engineer in charge of an assembly group at a shipyard Marvin Kötter

After completing my master’s degree at the University of Duisburg-Essen, I started working for a shipyard. The shipyard builds mega yachts of up to 180m. I am working in the engineering department for the yacht sector and I am in charge of the assembly groups manoeuvring propellers and stabilisers. Here, I am responsible for all yachts of this type manufactured at this location, from the signing of the contract to the delivery of the yacht. Amongst other things, I prepare and take care of inquiries and orders, including the preparation of order specifications and stock lists for the systems mentioned above. Orders for the components are sent to international companies operating worldwide. Throughout the project I am responsible for handling all aspects related to my assembly group. There are interfaces with other construction and manufacturing departments, with customer representatives, the project team of the relevant ship and suppliers. My tasks also include quality checks before components are delivered (on-site inspections), during the supply phase (port and sea trials). After the projects have been completed, I also assist our repair department.