GexCon and Arup: new partnership

Oil and gas safety and risk management consultancy GexCon has entered into a partnership with world-leading engineering consultants Arup, which is set to benefit customers of both organisations.

The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which will allow them to work closely together to provide services in global markets, particularly in the field of fire and explosion analysis and the associated structural response.

Together the companies will be able to offer customers a more complete study with GexCon and Arup offering their own specialist expertise to the oil and gas industry.

Kees van Wingerden, Senior Vice President at GexCon, said: “There is an increasing amount of interest in the simulation technique known as non-linear finite element analysis for fire and explosion, however there is also a lack of capability among many engineering contractors.

“GexCon and Arup believe there is a real opportunity to extend and develop our services jointly in this field which will offer customers a complete solution and help reduce the capital expenditure.”

David Gration, Director at Arup, said “The combination of GexCon’s FLACS software with Arup’s non-linear dynamic analysis capability, using Oasys LS-DYNA, will enable the integrated assessment of complex structures under gas explosions.

“Our integrated approach will reduce uncertainty and allow the removal of significant conservatisms from the design process hence leading to reduced costs of energy infrastructure within the oil and gas industry.”

GexCon provides services in identifying hazards, complex consequence modelling, mitigating risks and contributing to improving clients’ safety performance. The business also develops, maintains and uses FLACS, the industry-standard software tool for explosion and fire modelling.

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants, and technical specialists offering a broad range of professional services. The organisation has an extensive reputation and experience in the areas of offshore, nuclear power, anti-terrorist, seismic and development of engineering best practice.

Edited from source by Elizabeth Corner

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/11032015/gexcon-and-arup-new-partnership/