MCS International is a firm of consulting engineers providing a range of design, analysis and software services to
the oil and gas industry. The company's engineers work very closely with clients combining a strong, theoretical
background with practical design experience to ensure satisfactory and efficient solutions, delivered on time and
within budget. In particular, the company is renowned for its specialist consultancy services in flexible riser
and steel catenary riser system design.
It offers fully integrated, independent and unbiased service for the design of flexible riser systems for floating
production and offshore loading systems. In addition to the riser design itself, MCS's approach includes interface
design at either end of the riser; mooring system layout and design, and the necessary determination of vessel
forces and motion characteristics.
Comprehensive analysis software is an integral part of MCS's design capability. The firm uses state-of-the-art
software systems which are used in many projects worldwide.
The company is currently managing the development of a new oil and gas industry specification for unbonded flexible
pipe which will be adopted as an international standard recognised by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
This joint industry project will standardise the interaction between the purchaser and manufacturer resulting in
substantial time and cost savings, and in the delivery of a flexible pipe product designed, manufactured and tested
to recognised standards. The specification document will ultimately be released by the API as API SPEC 17B.
Furthermore, MCS will as part of a further stage of the JIP revise and update the present API recommended practice
for flexible pipe, API RP 17B.
MCS was involved in "Deepstar", a project led by Texaco to examine and develop technologies for the exploitation
of deepwater fields in the Gulf of Mexico. The company performed an intensive analysis study into the use of steel
and/or titanium catenary risers, to floating production facilities in water depths between 3,000 and 6,000 ft.
Because the cost per unit length of steel pipe is much less than that of flexible pipe, significant cost savings
could be achieved by using this type riser technology where feasible.
To remain a leader in its field, MCS continues to dedicate a significant amount of effort in research and development with some major research programmes receiving support from the European Commission. As a result of this development work, the company has published an extensive list of technical papers on topics related to its areas of expertise.
Software
The MCS software suite comprises a range of time and frequency domain finite element programs and postprocessors. These have been developed specifically for the dynamic analysis of offshore and marine systems.
The applications for this software include:
- flexible riser configurations
- steel catenary risers
- rigid risers
- riser bundles
- TLP tethers
- mooring systems and catenary systems
- integrated riser and mooring system models
Range of Services
MCS services range through:
- feasibility and conceptual design studies
- model testing specification, supervision, and interpretation of results
- specifications and workscope for EPIC contracts
- detail design
- software sales and development
Contact:
MCS International
The Innovation Centre
Exploration Drive
Aberdeen Offshore Technology Park
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen AB23 8GD
Tel: +44 (0)1224 707303
Fax: +44 (0)1224 707304