In offshore developments, the margin for error is extremely small. Engineers must account for complex environmental conditions, structural loads and operational constraints, while keeping projects safe, efficient and economically viable.
Riser analysis sits at the centre of this challenge. Understanding how systems respond to waves, currents and vortex-induced vibration is critical to maintaining well integrity and long-term asset reliability.
At Aquaterra Energy, we recognised that traditional analysis workflows could limit both the scale and speed of engineering assessments. Since 2011, our engineers have been developing ORANGE, a proprietary platform that enables faster, more comprehensive riser and conductor analysis.
What is ORANGE?
ORANGE is an internally developed software platform that automates and streamlines complex offshore structural analyses.
Designed by Aquaterra Energy engineers and continuously refined over more than a decade, the platform integrates with OrcaFlex, the industry standard tool for offshore structural modelling. ORANGE automates model setup, load case generation and results processing, significantly reducing the manual effort and time required to complete complex analyses.
Rather than replacing technical judgement, ORANGE enhances it. By removing repetitive manual tasks, our engineers can focus more time on interpreting results, optimising designs and supporting clients with practical solutions.
Key Benefits for Offshore Projects:
Faster, More Efficient Analysis
Traditional riser modelling workflows can require weeks of manual setup and analysis.
ORANGE accelerates this process by automating repetitive modelling tasks and standardising workflows. This allows our analysts to evaluate more scenarios in less time, helping operators progress projects faster, while reducing engineering costs.
Improved Quality Assurance
Engineering analysis must be transparent, traceable and repeatable.
ORANGE automatically records model inputs, assumptions and outputs, strengthening the QA/QC process for every study. This ensures results can be easily validated by both our team and our clients, supporting compliance with international offshore engineering standards.
Greater Analytical Depth
One of the most powerful advantages of ORANGE is its ability to process extremely large numbers of load cases.
The platform allows our team to run tens of thousands of scenarios within a single project, enabling more detailed assessments of:
This deeper level of analysis leads to more robust engineering recommendations and improved risk management for offshore assets.
Consistent Global Delivery
Because ORANGE standardises complex analysis processes, it enables Aquaterra Energy’s Offshore Analysis team to deliver consistent engineering results across multiple projects and regions.
Whether supporting a subsea development, conductor integrity study or riser system evaluation, the platform ensures the same rigorous analytical approach is applied every time.
Real-World Impact
The advantages of ORANGE are already delivering measurable value for operators.
During a recent deepwater development offshore Australia, ORANGE enabled our engineers to automate more than 100,000 load cases, covering 40 riser configurations across multiple water depths and environmental conditions. What would previously have required a significantly longer analysis programme was completed in just three months.
In the North Sea, ORANGE supported a detailed conductor integrity assessment designed to extend the operational life of an offshore platform. The study was completed in only three weeks and helped the operator avoid approximately $4 million in potential remediation costs.
These projects demonstrate how combining advanced analytical tools with experienced engineering teams can unlock more efficient and reliable offshore solutions.
Engineering Innovation That Supports Better Decisions
Offshore projects are becoming increasingly complex, with deeper water developments, ageing infrastructure and stricter regulatory requirements placing greater demands on analytical processes.
ORANGE helps Aquaterra Energy meet these challenges by enabling faster, more comprehensive assessments of riser and conductor systems. By expanding the scale of analysis that can be performed within realistic project timelines, the platform supports better engineering decisions and more resilient offshore designs.
Built by Engineers, Evolving with the Industry
Unlike many commercial engineering tools, ORANGE is continuously developed by the same engineers who use it on real projects.
New capabilities are regularly added to reflect evolving industry requirements, ensuring the platform remains aligned with emerging offshore challenges and analytical techniques.
This ongoing development ensures that Aquaterra Energy’s Offshore Analysis team can continue delivering intelligently engineered solutions that improve safety, reduce uncertainty and optimise project performance.
Supporting Smarter Offshore Developments
For operators planning new developments, evaluating ageing infrastructure or assessing riser system performance, access to reliable engineering insight is critical.
By combining experienced analysts with advanced in-house tools like ORANGE, we help clients better understand structural behaviour, reduce project risk and deliver offshore developments with greater confidence.
If you’re planning a riser project or require support assessing offshore structural integrity, Aquaterra Energy’s Offshore Analysis team can help provide the insight needed to move forward with certainty.
