The Front-End Loading (FEL), or Pre-Project Planning (PPP), is a methodology that includes all the processes before materialization of a project itself, which form together strategic plans for resource, material, production and environmental knowledge management. The primary objective of the FEL Methodology is to address some primary risks and allow the managers to make the best decisions to minimize problems and maximize the probability of success in terms of costs, schedule and operability.  This methodology is usually divided by three steps in time which are commonly known by the terms FEL-1, FEL-2 and FEL-3.

The first section (FEL 1), or first step, involves opportunities and site identification, material and energy balance, definition of models and scopes, success criteria and resources plan of determined project. FEL 2 concerns about the cost’s first idea, preliminary layout and schedule, risks classification and equipment needs. FEL 3 refers to the optimization, review and definition of the basic engineering data defined in the previous steps.

Following the order of Visualization, Conceptualization and Definition, according to the FEL Methodology, any project will be ready for its Execution at the completion of FEL-3. This workflow can be used on any Industry or Project, but is commonly addressed in large capital projects, especially in the Oil & Gas market, where the methodology can save a lot of trouble and money due to the huge complexity and investments made in this industry.

From the very beginning exploration phase to the very end decommissioning, every project life cycle can be planned according to FEL Methodology, aiming at allowing the companies to channel their resources to specific purpose on specific sites and, most important, preview general economic and financial performance of the strategic projects.

By Murilo Rapozo
Petroleum Engineer Intern at Deep Seed Solutions