Software for Piping Engineering
Piping engineering in EPC oil and gas projects relies on a set of specialized software tools that cover every phase of work: from early-stage P&ID development through detailed 3D design, stress analysis, materials management, procurement, construction planning, and quality review. Selecting the right software suite is a strategic decision for any EPC contractor, as it directly affects productivity, data consistency, and the ability to deliver on schedule.
This page provides a structured overview of the major software categories and products used by piping engineers in the oil and gas sector. Each category includes a brief explanation, a list of leading products, and a comparison table to help engineers and project teams evaluate their options.
1. 3D Plant Design Software
3D plant design software is the backbone of piping engineering in modern EPC projects. These tools allow engineers to model piping systems, equipment, structural steel, and supports in a shared 3D environment. The 3D model serves as the single source of truth for the project: piping layouts, equipment locations, pipe supports, and structural steelwork all coexist in one coordinated space. From this model, engineers extract isometric drawings, general arrangement plans, bills of materials, and clash-free construction deliverables.
Major Products
Smart 3D / SP3D (Hexagon/Intergraph) Smart 3D (formerly SmartPlant 3D, often called SP3D) is the most widely adopted 3D plant design platform among large EPC contractors. It uses a rules-based, data-centric approach: the model is stored in a relational database, and engineering rules (pipe specs, clash tolerances, routing preferences) are enforced automatically. SP3D integrates tightly with SmartPlant P&ID, SmartPlant Materials, and Isogen for isometric extraction. It is the standard platform at Bechtel, Fluor, Wood, Worley, Technip Energies, and Saipem.
AVEVA E3D Design / PDMS (AVEVA) AVEVA E3D Design is the successor to PDMS (Plant Design Management System), which dominated plant design for decades. E3D retains the PDMS modeling philosophy but adds a modern interface, improved performance for large models, and better integration with AVEVA’s engineering data tools. PDMS remains in active use on many legacy and ongoing projects. E3D is the primary platform at Petrofac, McDermott, Samsung Engineering, and many Asian EPC contractors.
AutoCAD Plant 3D (Autodesk) AutoCAD Plant 3D is built on the AutoCAD platform and is aimed at small-to-midsize projects, brownfield work, and contractors who prefer Autodesk’s ecosystem. It offers piping, equipment, and structural modeling with direct isometric generation. While it lacks the database-driven depth of SP3D or E3D, it is easier to learn, cheaper to license, and effective for projects that do not require multi-user concurrent modeling at scale. Widely used by mid-tier engineering firms and owner-operators.
OpenPlant (Bentley) Bentley’s OpenPlant combines piping, equipment, and structural design on the MicroStation platform. It supports ISO 15926 data standards for interoperability and is positioned as a competitor to SP3D and E3D on large capital projects. Adoption in oil and gas EPC has been slower compared to SP3D and E3D, but OpenPlant has a strong presence in the power generation sector and among contractors already committed to the Bentley infrastructure portfolio.
Comparison Table: 3D Plant Design
| Feature | Smart 3D (SP3D) | AVEVA E3D / PDMS | AutoCAD Plant 3D | OpenPlant (Bentley) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Hexagon (Intergraph) | AVEVA (Schneider Electric) | Autodesk | Bentley Systems |
| Typical EPC users | Bechtel, Fluor, Wood, Worley, Technip Energies | Petrofac, McDermott, Samsung Engineering, GS E&C | Mid-tier firms, owner-operators, brownfield | Power sector, Bentley-centric firms |
| Strengths | Rules-based design, deep integration with Hexagon suite, scalable for mega-projects | Mature platform with decades of project heritage, strong in Asia-Pacific | Low learning curve, affordable licensing, native AutoCAD compatibility | ISO 15926 support, MicroStation integration |
| Limitations | Steep learning curve, high license cost, complex administration | E3D migration from PDMS can be disruptive, licensing complexity | Limited multi-user scalability, less suitable for mega-projects | Smaller user base in oil and gas, fewer piping-specific integrations |
| Isometric output | Via Isogen / I-Configure | Built-in isometric extraction | Built-in isometric extraction | Via Isogen or built-in |
| Database architecture | SQL Server relational database | Proprietary AVEVA database | File-based (DWG) | iModel / SQL-based |
2. Pipe Stress Analysis Software
Pipe stress analysis verifies that piping systems can safely withstand thermal expansion, sustained loads (weight, pressure), occasional loads (wind, seismic, slug flow), and dynamic events (water hammer, vibration, relief valve discharge). Stress analysis is mandatory under codes such as ASME B31.3 (process piping) and ASME B31.1 (power piping). The software reads piping geometry (often imported from the 3D model), applies loads and boundary conditions, and calculates stresses, displacements, and support loads. Results determine whether the design meets code allowables or requires modifications such as expansion loops, spring supports, or rerouting.
Major Products
CAESAR II (Hexagon) CAESAR II is the global industry standard for pipe stress analysis in oil and gas. It supports all major piping codes (ASME B31.1, B31.3, B31.4, B31.8, EN 13480, and others), handles static and dynamic load cases, and provides detailed code compliance reports. CAESAR II can import geometry from SP3D, E3D, and Plant 3D. Nearly every major EPC contractor uses it. For a detailed guide, see the CAESAR II article.
AutoPIPE (Bentley) AutoPIPE is Bentley’s pipe stress analysis tool. It features a graphical modeling interface, supports the same major codes as CAESAR II, and integrates with OpenPlant and other Bentley products. AutoPIPE is popular among power sector engineers and among firms that standardize on the Bentley platform. Its built-in FEA capabilities for local stress analysis (nozzle loads, branch connections) are considered a strength.
ROHR2 (SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft) ROHR2 is a German-developed stress analysis tool with a strong following in Europe and the Middle East. It supports European codes (EN 13480, AD 2000 Merkblatt) in addition to ASME codes. ROHR2 is known for its detailed support of dynamic analysis (harmonic, transient, response spectrum) and is used by Linde Engineering, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, and several European EPC firms.
START-PROF (PASS/NTP Truboprovod) START-PROF is a Russian-origin stress analysis tool that has gained international traction due to competitive pricing and a modern interface. It supports ASME, EN, GOST, and other international codes. START-PROF offers built-in buried pipeline analysis and FRP/GRP pipe support, which are features that require add-ons in some competing products. It is used by several CIS-region contractors and increasingly by firms seeking a lower-cost alternative to CAESAR II.
Comparison Table: Pipe Stress Analysis
| Feature | CAESAR II | AutoPIPE | ROHR2 | START-PROF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Hexagon (Intergraph) | Bentley Systems | SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft | PASS/NTP Truboprovod |
| Typical EPC users | Bechtel, Fluor, Wood, Worley, Technip Energies, Saipem | Bentley-centric firms, power sector | Linde Engineering, thyssenkrupp, European contractors | CIS-region contractors, cost-sensitive firms |
| Code support | ASME B31.x, EN 13480, and 20+ other codes | ASME B31.x, EN 13480, and others | EN 13480, AD 2000, ASME B31.x | ASME, EN, GOST, and others |
| Strengths | Industry standard, extensive validation history, largest user community | Built-in local FEA, graphical interface, Bentley integration | Strong dynamic analysis, European code depth | Competitive pricing, built-in buried pipe analysis, FRP support |
| Limitations | Dated interface, separate licensing for advanced modules | Smaller user base in oil and gas | Limited adoption outside Europe | Smaller global support network |
| 3D model import | SP3D, E3D, Plant 3D | OpenPlant, E3D, Plant 3D | SP3D, E3D | SP3D, E3D, Plant 3D |
3. P&ID Software
P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams) are the master engineering documents that define the process design. P&ID software must support intelligent symbology, line and equipment tagging, revision management, and data extraction for downstream disciplines (piping, instrumentation, electrical). In modern EPC workflows, P&IDs are database-driven: every symbol, line, and tag is a data object that can be queried, reported, and linked to the 3D model.
Major Products
SmartPlant P&ID (Hexagon) SmartPlant P&ID (part of the Smart suite) is the most widely used intelligent P&ID tool in oil and gas EPC. It stores all diagram data in a relational database, enabling consistency checks, data extraction, and direct integration with SP3D and SmartPlant Materials. Bechtel, Fluor, Wood, and most Tier 1 contractors use it as the starting point for their design data workflow.
AVEVA P&ID / AVEVA Diagrams AVEVA P&ID (now part of the AVEVA Unified Engineering suite, with the newer product called AVEVA Diagrams) provides database-driven P&ID creation with integration into E3D and the AVEVA engineering data ecosystem. It is the natural choice for contractors who use E3D for 3D design. Petrofac, McDermott, and Samsung Engineering are among its users.
AutoCAD P&ID (Autodesk) AutoCAD P&ID (now bundled within the Autodesk Plant Design Suite or available via AutoCAD specialized toolsets) provides intelligent P&ID creation on the AutoCAD platform. It stores data in a SQL database and supports tag extraction and validation. It is suited to mid-tier projects and firms already invested in the Autodesk ecosystem.
Comparison Table: P&ID Software
| Feature | SmartPlant P&ID | AVEVA P&ID / Diagrams | AutoCAD P&ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Hexagon (Intergraph) | AVEVA (Schneider Electric) | Autodesk |
| Typical EPC users | Bechtel, Fluor, Wood, Worley | Petrofac, McDermott, Samsung Engineering | Mid-tier firms, owner-operators |
| Strengths | Deep integration with SP3D and SmartPlant suite, mature consistency checking | Tight coupling with E3D, AVEVA Unified Engineering | AutoCAD familiarity, lower cost |
| Limitations | High license cost, complex setup | Migration path from legacy AVEVA tools can be challenging | Less scalable for mega-projects |
| 3D model link | Direct link to SP3D | Direct link to E3D | Link to AutoCAD Plant 3D |
4. Materials Management and MTO Software
Materials management software handles the piping material take-off (MTO), specification management, requisitioning, and tracking of bulk piping materials throughout the project lifecycle. In a typical EPC project, thousands of piping line items (pipes, fittings, flanges, gaskets, bolts, valves) must be quantified, ordered, tracked, and delivered to site. Errors in materials management cause procurement delays, surplus inventory, or critical shortages at construction.
Major Products
SmartPlant Materials / SPMat (Hexagon) SmartPlant Materials is the most widely used piping materials management tool in large EPC projects. It manages piping specifications (pipe classes), generates MTOs from the 3D model, tracks material status from requisition through purchase order to delivery, and integrates with SmartPlant P&ID and SP3D. SPMat is the backbone of materials control at Bechtel, Fluor, Wood, and Worley. For a detailed guide, see the SmartPlant Materials article.
MARIAN (ICS) MARIAN is a specialized piping materials management system developed by ICS (Industrial Computing Solutions). It is used by several major EPC contractors, including Technip Energies and Saipem, and is valued for its flexibility in defining piping specifications and handling complex material coding schemes. MARIAN supports MTO generation, material tracking, and integration with 3D design tools and ERP systems.
Custom and Proprietary Solutions Many EPC contractors supplement commercial tools with in-house databases, Excel-based trackers, or custom applications built on SQL or Oracle platforms. While these solutions lack the scalability of commercial products, they are often tailored to a contractor’s specific workflow and coding standards.
Comparison Table: Materials Management
| Feature | SmartPlant Materials | MARIAN (ICS) | Custom Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Hexagon (Intergraph) | ICS (Industrial Computing Solutions) | In-house |
| Typical EPC users | Bechtel, Fluor, Wood, Worley | Technip Energies, Saipem | Various |
| Strengths | Deep Hexagon integration, industry standard for large projects, full lifecycle tracking | Flexible spec management, strong piping material coding | Tailored to specific workflows |
| Limitations | High cost, complex implementation | Smaller global user base | Maintenance burden, scalability risks |
| 3D model integration | Direct link to SP3D | Via adapters/interfaces | Varies |
5. Procurement and ERP Systems
Procurement and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems manage the commercial side of piping materials: purchase requisitions, purchase orders, vendor bid evaluations, order tracking, expediting, and financial reporting. In EPC projects, piping materials often represent 25 to 40 percent of total material procurement value, making tight integration between engineering data (MTOs, specs) and the ERP system critical.
Major Products
SAP MM/PS SAP’s Materials Management (MM) and Project Systems (PS) modules are the most widely used ERP platform in oil and gas EPC. SAP MM handles purchase requisitions, purchase orders, goods receipts, and inventory management. SAP PS provides project cost control, scheduling integration, and work breakdown structure (WBS) management. Bechtel, Fluor, Wood, Worley, and most Tier 1 contractors run SAP for project procurement. For a detailed breakdown, see SAP Modules for EPC Procurement.
Oracle / JD Edwards Oracle’s ERP platforms (including JD Edwards EnterpriseOne and Oracle E-Business Suite) are used by several large EPC contractors, owner-operators, and national oil companies. These systems offer similar procurement, inventory, and project cost management capabilities to SAP. McDermott and several Middle Eastern contractors use Oracle-based ERP systems.
Custom and Hybrid Solutions Some contractors operate proprietary procurement systems or hybrid setups where engineering data (from SmartPlant Materials or MARIAN) feeds into a custom procurement workflow before final purchase orders are issued in SAP or Oracle. This approach provides engineering-friendly interfaces while using the financial controls of a commercial ERP.
6. Isometric Drawing Generation
Isometric drawings are the primary construction deliverables for piping fabrication and installation. They show pipe routing, dimensions, fittings, valves, welds, and bill of materials in a standardized isometric projection. In modern EPC projects, isometrics are generated automatically from the 3D model, which eliminates manual drafting errors and ensures consistency between the model and the construction documents.
Major Products
Isogen / I-Configure (Hexagon) Isogen is the de facto industry standard engine for generating piping isometric drawings. Developed originally by Alias, now part of Hexagon, Isogen converts 3D piping model data into standardized isometric drawings with automatic dimensioning, BOM generation, and weld numbering. Isogen works as an embedded engine within SP3D, E3D, Plant 3D, and other 3D platforms. I-Configure is the companion tool for customizing Isogen output: symbol styles, dimension placement, BOM formats, and drawing borders. Virtually every EPC contractor uses Isogen, regardless of their 3D platform choice.
SmartPlant Isometrics SmartPlant Isometrics is Hexagon’s standalone isometric management tool that works alongside Isogen. It provides batch processing of isometrics, revision tracking, status management, and distribution workflows. For large projects with thousands of isometrics, SmartPlant Isometrics adds a layer of document control that plain Isogen output does not provide.
How Isometrics Fit the Workflow
The typical workflow is: piping designers model pipe runs in the 3D tool (SP3D, E3D, or Plant 3D), then extract isometrics using the embedded Isogen engine. The generated drawings pass through a checking cycle (design check, stress check, materials check) before being released for fabrication. For more on reading and interpreting isometric drawings, see the Piping Isometrics guide.
7. Clash Detection and 3D Review
Clash detection identifies physical interferences between piping, structural steel, equipment, electrical cable trays, HVAC ducts, and civil elements in the 3D model. Resolving clashes before construction avoids costly rework in the field. 3D review tools also enable non-CAD users (project managers, clients, construction teams) to navigate the model, review design progress, and provide feedback without needing a full design software license.
Major Products
Navisworks (Autodesk) Navisworks is the most widely used standalone clash detection and 3D review tool in the construction and plant design industry. It imports models from virtually any 3D platform (SP3D, E3D, Plant 3D, Revit, Tekla) and runs automated clash detection with configurable tolerances and rules. Navisworks also supports 4D simulation (linking the model to the construction schedule) and is commonly used for client design reviews.
SmartPlant Review (Hexagon) SmartPlant Review (SPR) is Hexagon’s 3D review tool, designed to work directly with SP3D models. It provides walk-through visualization, clash detection, markup and annotation tools, and integration with the SmartPlant data ecosystem. SPR is the standard review tool for contractors using the Hexagon suite.
AVEVA Review AVEVA Review serves the same purpose for AVEVA E3D/PDMS users. It provides model navigation, clash management, and review capabilities within the AVEVA ecosystem. It is widely used for client model reviews and multi-discipline coordination meetings.
Comparison Table: Clash Detection and 3D Review
| Feature | Navisworks | SmartPlant Review | AVEVA Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Autodesk | Hexagon (Intergraph) | AVEVA (Schneider Electric) |
| Typical EPC users | Cross-platform; used by most contractors | Hexagon-suite contractors | AVEVA-suite contractors |
| Strengths | Multi-format import, 4D simulation, large user base | Tight SP3D integration, SmartPlant data linking | Tight E3D/PDMS integration |
| Limitations | No native link to Hexagon or AVEVA data | Limited non-Hexagon model support | Limited non-AVEVA model support |
8. Project Scheduling
Project scheduling software manages the construction and engineering timeline: activities, durations, dependencies, milestones, resource allocation, and progress tracking. For piping, scheduling ties directly to material delivery dates, fabrication lead times, hydrostatic testing windows, and site installation sequences.
Major Products
Primavera P6 (Oracle) Oracle Primavera P6 is the dominant scheduling tool in oil and gas EPC. It handles complex project networks with thousands of activities, supports resource leveling, earned value management, and critical path analysis. Primavera P6 is the contractual standard on most large capital projects; Bechtel, Fluor, Worley, and virtually all Tier 1 contractors require it.
Microsoft Project Microsoft Project is used for smaller projects, internal planning, and summary-level schedules. It is accessible and integrates with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, making it practical for project controls teams that need to share schedules broadly. However, it lacks the depth and scalability of Primavera P6 for mega-project scheduling.
Comparison Table: Project Scheduling
| Feature | Primavera P6 | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Oracle | Microsoft |
| Typical EPC users | All Tier 1 contractors, required on most large projects | Small-to-mid projects, internal planning |
| Strengths | Scalable to mega-projects, earned value, critical path, resource leveling | Familiar interface, Office 365 integration, low cost |
| Limitations | Steep learning curve, high license cost | Limited scalability, not accepted as contractual baseline on large projects |
Integration Across the EPC Workflow
In practice, these software tools do not operate in isolation. The value of a well-implemented software ecosystem lies in the data flow between tools. A typical integrated EPC piping workflow looks like this:
- P&ID development: Process engineers create intelligent P&IDs in SmartPlant P&ID or AVEVA Diagrams, defining every line, equipment item, and instrument.
- 3D modeling: Piping designers import line lists and equipment data from the P&ID tool into SP3D, E3D, or Plant 3D, then model the piping layout in 3D.
- Stress analysis: Stress engineers extract pipe geometry from the 3D model and import it into CAESAR II or AutoPIPE for code compliance verification. Support loads feed back into the structural model.
- MTO and materials: SmartPlant Materials or MARIAN extracts quantities from the 3D model, manages piping specifications, and generates requisitions for procurement.
- Procurement: Material requisitions flow into SAP or Oracle for purchase order creation, vendor management, expediting, and goods receipt tracking.
- Isometric extraction: Isogen generates fabrication isometrics directly from the 3D model, complete with BOMs and weld maps.
- Clash detection: Navisworks, SmartPlant Review, or AVEVA Review checks the combined multi-discipline model for interferences before construction.
- Scheduling: Primavera P6 tracks the overall project timeline, with piping fabrication and installation activities linked to material delivery milestones.
Breakdowns in this data chain, such as manual re-entry of data between systems or incompatible file formats, are a leading cause of engineering errors, procurement delays, and construction rework. Contractors that invest in tight system integration consistently outperform those that rely on manual data transfers.
Detailed Software Guides
For in-depth coverage of specific tools, see these dedicated articles:
- CAESAR II - Pipe stress analysis with the industry-standard tool
- Smart 3D (SP3D) - 3D plant design on the Hexagon platform
- AVEVA E3D - 3D plant design on the AVEVA platform
- SmartPlant Materials - Piping materials management and MTO
- AutoCAD Plant 3D - 3D plant design on the Autodesk platform
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