{"id":22594,"date":"2020-06-22T14:00:27","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T09:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/?p=22594"},"modified":"2026-07-09T14:17:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T10:47:10","slug":"detailed-engineering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/detailed-engineering\/","title":{"rendered":"What is detailed engineering?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Overview of Engineering Stages<\/h2>

In engineering projects, the design and development stages are divided into three main sections: conceptual engineering, basic engineering, and detailed engineering. Each of these stages plays a specific role in the formation and successful execution of the project. Conceptual engineering, as the first step, focuses on the overall definition of the project and evaluating its feasibility, exploring various design options. In the next stage, basic engineering uses the data from the conceptual phase to provide broader designs of systems and equipment, offering initial information for cost estimation and scheduling.<\/p>

Detailed engineering, as the final and most precise phase, specifies all the technical details needed for construction and execution. This stage includes preparing execution drawings, technical specifications, and installation and operation guidelines, which directly impact the success of the construction, installation, and commissioning phases. Due to the critical importance of this phase, the following sections of this article will provide a more comprehensive review of detailed engineering, its outputs, and the role it plays in the success of projects.<\/p>

Definition of Detailed Engineering<\/h2>

Detailed engineering is one of the key stages in the engineering and design process of projects, where all the technical and execution details are precisely and thoroughly specified. This stage, with much greater precision and detail than the previous phases, namely conceptual and basic engineering, focuses on the design and preparation of the project. While conceptual and basic engineering define the overall framework of the project, detailed engineering concentrates on execution details, providing highly accurate drawings and instructions that are essential for the construction and operation of the project.<\/p>

Who is Responsible for Implementing Detailed Engineering?<\/h2>

The implementation of detailed engineering depends on the type of contract and the project management structure. In EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) projects, all engineering phases, from basic design to detailed engineering, along with equipment procurement and project execution, are entirely the responsibility of the main contractor. In this case, the contractor is responsible for coordinating all technical and execution details of the project and must provide detailed engineering documentation that covers all execution requirements.<\/p>

In contrast, in PC (Procurement and Construction) projects, which are typically used for smaller or less complex projects, the responsibility for design and engineering, including basic and detailed engineering, lies with the engineering team or project consultant. In this model, the contractor’s role is limited to physical execution and purchasing equipment based on the drawings and technical specifications provided by the engineering team.<\/p>

Additionally, in specific projects like EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management), the engineering contractor acts as a consultant, responsible for overseeing and managing all engineering, procurement, and project execution stages, but delegates the actual execution to subcontractors.<\/p>

Detailed Engineering in the Oil and Gas Industry<\/h2>

Detailed engineering in the oil and gas industry is typically performed for various projects that involve the construction and installation of complex equipment and systems. This is of significant importance for national oil companies and national gas companies. Some of these projects include the construction of booster stations, refineries, storage tanks, pipelines, and liquefied gas transport tankers. Detailed engineering in these projects is particularly crucial for the design of processes, equipment, structures, electrical systems, and instrumentation. Below is a brief overview of detailed engineering in liquefied gas transport tankers:<\/p>

Detailed Engineering in Liquefied Gas Transport Tankers<\/h3>

Liquefied gas transport tankers must comply with specific standards to ensure safe and proper conditions for transporting liquefied gas. These standards include aspects such as resistance to high pressure, safety against leakage and explosions, and maintaining the appropriate temperature for storing LPG gas. Therefore, a liquefied gas transportation company must use tankers that have precise detailed engineering. Detailed engineering in liquefied gas transport tankers includes the following aspects:<\/p>

Structural Design and Foundation of the Tanker<\/h4>

At the structural design level, engineers must consider the stability and strength of the tanker’s structure. This includes the precise design of the tank shell (main body), support foundations, and internal walls to withstand the pressure and weight of the liquefied gas.<\/p>

  • Use of corrosion-resistant materials (such as stainless steel or specialized alloys).<\/li>
  • Analysis of internal loading and pressure caused by liquefied gas under various temperature and movement conditions.<\/li>
  • Design of reinforced connections and welds to prevent leakage.<\/li>
  • Compliance with international standards such as ASME or EN for manufacturing pressure vessels.<\/li><\/ul>

    Process Design and Gas Transfer System<\/h4>

    At this level, the liquefied gas transfer and storage system is designed to ensure that the liquefied gas can be safely stored and transported within the tanker.<\/p>

    • Design of safety valves and emergency discharge systems to control pressure.<\/li>
    • Calculation of optimal storage volume and capacity to prevent overfilling.<\/li>
    • Design of ventilation systems to discharge gas vapors in emergency situations.<\/li>
    • Thermal analysis to control the gas temperature and prevent it from converting to the gaseous phase.<\/li><\/ul>

      Mechanical Design of the Tanker<\/h4>

      This level includes the selection and design of mechanical equipment for the tanker, such as pumps, compressors, and stabilization systems.<\/p>

      • Selection of appropriate pumps for loading and unloading liquefied gas based on required flow rates and pressure.<\/li>
      • Design of vibration and shock reduction systems to prevent equipment damage during movement.<\/li>
      • Consideration of dynamic forces caused by braking, acceleration, and directional changes on the road.<\/li>
      • Use of heat- and impact-resistant insulation to protect sensitive equipment.<\/li><\/ul>

        Electrical and Instrumentation Design of the Tanker<\/h4>

        Electrical and instrumentation systems are designed to monitor and control the conditions of the liquefied gas within the tanker.<\/p>

        • Installation of temperature, pressure, and level sensors to monitor the internal conditions of the tanker.<\/li>
        • Design of alarm systems to detect leaks or abnormal pressure increases.<\/li>
        • Selection of explosion-proof cables and electrical equipment.<\/li>
        • Provision of power for control instruments through reliable batteries or emergency power sources.<\/li><\/ul>

          Pipeline and Connection Design of the Tanker<\/h4>

          At this level, pipelines and connections are designed for the safe transfer of gas from the tanker to various points.<\/p>

          • Use of materials resistant to low temperatures (for liquefied gases) and high pressure.<\/li>
          • Design of quick-connect fittings for ease of loading and unloading operations.<\/li>
          • Consideration of thermal expansion and pipe expansion to prevent cracking.<\/li>
          • Installation of isolation valves for rapid shutdown of gas flow in emergency situations.<\/li><\/ul>

            Safety and Environmental Protection Design<\/h4>

            This level focuses on meeting safety requirements and minimizing environmental impacts.<\/p>

            • Design of fire suppression systems such as fire-resistant mist sprayers or specialized extinguishing agents.<\/li>
            • Provision for safe recycling or disposal of excess gases.<\/li>
            • Compliance with international regulations for transporting hazardous materials (such as ADR).<\/li>
            • Use of protective coatings to prevent environmental contamination in case of leakage.<\/li><\/ul>

              Final Words<\/h2>

              Detailed engineering is the connection point between the design and execution of a project, encompassing the precise details of the project. This phase can be carried out by the contractor or another group of engineers. Detailed engineering is of great importance. In this article, we used the example of a liquefied gas transport tanker and highlighted the significance of detailed engineering in the gas industry.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Overview of Engineering Stages In engineering projects, the design and development stages are divided into three main sections: conceptual engineering, basic engineering, and detailed engineering. Each of these stages plays a specific role in the formation and successful execution of the project. Conceptual engineering, as the first step, focuses on the overall definition of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":22574,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[598],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-educational-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22594"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22594\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22601,"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22594\/revisions\/22601"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kianpetroleum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}