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Texas-based Noble Corporation recently adopted the Client Interface module of ABS’ web based plan approval system, O2E, to manage the plan approval process for all of its ABS classed offshore rigs.

The use of this system allows Noble to make online submittals and provides Noble instant review status updates and allows complete and quick access to all ABS approved documentation.

O2E is a proprietary web-based plan review and documentation system developed by the class society to improve the efficiency of plan approval procedures, explains Ajoy Kumar, ABS Project Manager for several of Noble’s offshore rigs. He says electronic files save time and are better for quickly sharing information in different locations.

At any time, Noble is involved with engineering upgrades to several of these rigs to enhance their capabilities and performance. These upgrades require the review and approval of a large volume of engineering drawings and documentation. In the past all of these submittals and ABS responses were handled through regular mail or by courier depending upon the urgency. With the adoption of the O2E Client Interface, the time lost in transit and the associated courier costs have been completely eliminated.

Jim Gormanson, the Director of Compliance for Noble, says that from their perspective “electronic plan submittal does speed up the review process as it eliminates the time in transit between the customer and ABS.

For all of our plan review activities, we can now download completed review letters and stamped plans and documents in PDF format for electronic re-transmittal to Noble's Project Managers, Division offices and rigs,” said Gormanson. “This further speeds up the process of getting the approvals into the hands of those who need these documents.”

Gormanson says additional useful features of the system include the option for the customers to provide online responses to ABS plan review comments. The responses to comments are forwarded automatically by O2E to the engineer, reducing time spent for resolution of comments.

Kumar adds that the Client Interface eliminates or reduces the time spent in administrative tasks such as logging in or generating status reports. This allows the engineers to focus on engineering services — adding value to client projects.