Client Services
An increasingly challenging operating environment coupled with rising logistics cost has contributed to a more complex supply chain. As a result of that, organizations are continually looking for ways to optimize their overall value chain. 4D Supply Chain Consulting is well positioned to provide our clients with swift, real-time supply chain support through our strategically located global consulting team.
Our large pool of subject matter experts, with extensive industry experience, support and enable our clients to deliver projects and operate assets efficiently, safely and in a reliable manner. 4D service offerings span the entire project or asset life cycle showcased.
Please click on the phases below for more information.
Execution
- Design & Procure
- Construct & Install
- Commission & Start-up
- Transition to Operation
Pre-Execution
Early phase of new project development involves:
- Scoping:
Development of initial ideas and completion of preliminary investigation to assess the feasibility of the new project.- Industrial example (oil and gas): Completion of exploration and seismic data interpretation activities.
- Concepts:
Identification, definition and presentation of potential development scenarios leading to the selection of the final concept.- Industrial example (mining): When mining houses determine if and how a new mine development can be carried out as a safe, environmentally sound, economically viable and socially responsible project.
- Pre-FEED:
A phase prior to Front End Engineering Design (FEED), where the selected solutions are further granulated, relevant high-level execution plans are developed, and all corresponding requirements identified.- Industrial example (wind): When the utility company identifies the best technical solution for the development of a new wind farm and selects the FEED contractor (usually a specialized engineering procurement and construction [EPC] supplier).
- FEED:
In this phase, studies are carried out to identify technical limitations and estimate the rough investment costs. FEED provides the basis for the final investment decision (FID) that will either progress the project or shelve it. The FEED package acts as the foundation for bidding for execution phase of the project.
Execution
In this critical phase of project delivery, the following activities usually take place:
- Design and procurement phase: FEED results are consolidated, the project procurement strategies are defined and tenders for execution (usually in different packages) are issued, evaluated and awarded. Often, a formal phase-gate review for the project is performed, and the FID is concluded and confirmed.
- Construction and installation phase: Construction processes (often several overlapping) for the specific asset occur. The work is usually contracted to specialized EPC companies.
- Industrial example (oil and gas – downstream): A petrochemical plant construction starts with a proper site survey, water reservation, land formation, and camp construction to prepare for full-scale operation. The construction processes range from foundation work to aboveground structure framing, piping and equipment installation, to electric and instrument system set-up, to painting and insulation, etc.
- Commissioning and start-up (CSU) phase: This phase begins once the construction activities have been concluded. It includes cleaning, testing, starting and tuning activities to ensure that the asset is starting up safely and will operate as expected.
- Transition to operations phase: Upon completion of all contractual and operational acceptance tests, the new development is formally completed, and the asset ownership is officially transferred to the asset operating organization. At this point, the active involvement of EPC companies usually comes to an end.
Operation
In this phase, which may last several decades, the constructed asset is producing and multiple activities are taking place concurrently during the operational phase of the asset, the most critical ones being:
- Production: The asset is generating revenues for the client by producing the expected products and selling them to the market. In some industries, the value of a single full-day production may even reach several million US dollars. This stage focuses on the operation and maintenance of the asset to ensure that the production is safe, sustainable and reliable at the required capacity.
- Industrial example (oil and gas): Production of oil or gas by an onshore installation, either via conventional or unconventional processes.
- Turnaround (TAR): During the operational period, the asset may require major maintenance interventions on key critical components. This ensures continued asset reliability through enhanced capacity and efficiency, and the required up-to-date technology is retrofitted. Throughout the planned, highly-expensive regeneration period, also known as turnaround, there are many activities occurring with a high degree of overlap. TAR events are particularly challenging due to an inherent degree of unpredictability in the issues potentially discovered during inspection phase. This process usually requires the complete shutdown of production, with the focus on completing TAR both effectively and efficiently to minimize revenue loss.
- Industrial example (oil and gas): A refinery or petrochemical plant is shut down to allow for a comprehensive revamp and renewal of all or part of its unit (e.g. hydrocracker). The frequency of TAR varies greatly, since it is risk-based and very dependent on asset technology. With that being said, expected frequency for TAR of an asset can be anywhere between three and five years.
- End of Life (EoL): This phase includes both the decommissioning of production facilities and the required restoration activities of the site. When the asset reaches the end of its life, either because operations are no longer profitable or due to depletion of the resource field, then the asset needs to be dismantled.
- Industrial example (mining): The mine site is closed due to the reasons cited above and all facilities in the field need to be dismantled. This is followed by the reclamation process involving restoration of the land to its original state.
Supply Chain Support
Providing consultancy services across the entire life cycle of the project or asset
Manpower Provision
Leveraging our large pool of certified subject matter experts
Competence Development
Upskilling key staff in supply chain and logistics competences
Training
Offering a range of supply chain and logistics training both online and in the classroom
Supply Chain 4PL Models
Supporting clients with identifying and implementing appropriate 4PL models
Benchmarking
Understanding supply chain gaps compared to “best in class” performance