Optimising Foundation Skirt Geometries for Reliable Foundation Capacity and Installation

Increasing numbers of subsea structures related to wells and pipelines are being placed on the seabed as part of typical subsea or tie-back developments. Given the proliferation of these structures and the marginal cost of offshore developments, controlling installation and fabrication costs for subsea structures can be key to project viability. Skirted mudmats are often the most cost-effective foundation type, and particular additional design focuses on optimising their cost by minimising foundation weight and installation time. Subsea foundations must be designed to withstand all applied loads during their design life (e.g. during set-down, tie-in, hydrotest, operation etc.) with suitable reliability. Using skirts, peripheral or internal, to improve the sliding resistance is an efficient solution provided the self-weight of the subsea structure on set-down is sufficiently large to ensure installation of the skirts (even for the strongest likely seabed conditions), but can lead to significant cost increases if additional ballast is required to ensure this. The paper examines how foundation skirt geometries can be optimised in order to provide sufficient foundation in-place capacity whilst minimising the amount of self-weight required for their installation. Parametric studies are presented that show how the sliding capacity of individual skirts is affected by the weight of the structure, and also the spacing and position within the foundation plan.

Soil-Pipe Interaction Models for the Simulation of Buried Steel Pipeline Behaviour Against Geohazards

Hydrocarbon pipelines constructed in geohazards areas, are subjected to ground-induced actions, associated with the development of severe strains in the pipeline and constitute major threats for their structural integrity. In the course of pipeline design, calculation of those strains is necessary for safeguarding pipeline integrity, and the development of reliable analytical/numerical design tools that account for soil-pipe interaction is required. In the present paper, soil-pipe interaction models for buried steel pipelines subjected to severe ground-induced actions are presented. First, two numerical methodologies, (simplified and rigorous) and one analytical are presented and compared, followed by an experimental verification; transversal soil-pipe interaction is examined through full-scale experimental testing, and comparisons of numerical simulations with rigorous finite element models are reported. Furthermore, the rigorous model is compared with the results from a special-purpose full-scale “landslide/fault” experimental test in order to examine the soil-pipe interaction in a complex loading conditions. Finally, the verified rigorous model is compared with both the simplified models and the analytical methodology.

Subsea Pipelines and Flowlines Decommissioning: What We Should Know for a Rational Approach

Offshore and subsea decommissioning will increase in the next five years or so as many producing fields are matured and cease production while the oil price continues to remain low. This emphasizes the need for a thorough decommissioning plan to ensure a safe and technically feasible solution while it is economically viable and safeguards the environment. Offshore and subsea decommissioning is commonly considered on a case-by-case basis using the Comparative Assessment (CA) process in which the best decommissioning solution is obtained. Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) considerations are always paramount in any decommissioning process. The aim is to significantly reduce the long term risks to other benefactors of the sea while the associated short term risks to those responsible for decommissioning operations are minimized. A major part of any decommissioning project is subsea pipelines decommissioning (by “pipelines”, it is meant to include flowlines, trunklines and flexible too). There are a number of techniques available for decommissioning of subsea pipelines ranging from preservation for potential future use to full recovery or leaving in-situ. However, each subsea pipeline decommissioning technique should be considered on its own merit. Selection of each decommissioning technique depends on many parameters, inter alia, size of pipeline, type of pipeline (e.g. single pipe, pipe-in-pipe, piggyback), type of conveying fluid, operational environment (location), production history, Inspection, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) records, HSE considerations, connection to other facilities, technical feasibility (including potential use of advanced technologies), regulatory authorities requirements and socio-economic considerations. This paper will look at specifics of subsea pipelines decommissioning. It will examine the procedures to be undertaken from desk top activities (e.g. planning and CA) up to operational activities (e.g. pigging, flushing, cleaning, removal or leaving in-situ). Different scenarios are discussed and potential advantages and disadvantages of each scenario are presented. In addition, a guide is proposed for future pipelines decommissioning projects to follow a rational approach.

Solving Downslope Pipeline Walking on Non-Linear Soil With Brittle Peak Strength and Strain Softening

In 2000 the first case of pipeline walking (PW) was properly documented when this phenomenon seriously impacted a North Sea high pressure and high temperature (HP/HT) pipeline (Tornes et al. 2000). By then, the main drivers of this problem were accordingly identified for the case studied. On the other hand, to study other aspects related not only to PW, the industry joined forces in the SAFEBUCK Joint Industry Project (JIP) with academic partners. As a result, other drivers, which lead a pipeline to walk, have been identified (Bruton et al. 2010). Nowadays, during the design stage of pipelines, estimates are calculated for pipeline walking. These estimates often use a Rigid-Plastic (RP) soil idealization and the Coulomb friction principle (Carr et al. 2006). Unfortunately, this model does not reflect the real pipe-soil interaction behavior, and in practice time consuming finite element computations are often performed using an Elastic-Perfectly-Plastic (EPP) soil model. In reality, some observed axial pipe-soil responses are extremely non-linear and present a brittle peak strength before a strain softening response (White et al. 2011). This inaccuracy of the soil representation normally overestimates the Walking Rate (WR) (a rigid plastic soil model leads to greater walking). A magnified WR invariably leads to false interpretations besides being unrealistic. Finally, a distorted WR might also demand mitigating measures that could be avoided if the soil had been adequately treated. Unnecessary mitigation has a very strong and negative effect on the project as whole. It will require more financial and time investments for the entire development of the project — from design to construction activities. Therefore, having more realistic and pertinent estimates becomes valuable not only because of budgetary issues but also because of time frame limits. The present paper will show the results of a set of Finite Element Analyses (FEA) performed for a case-study pipeline. The analyses — carried out on ABAQUS software — used a specific subroutine code prepared to appropriately mimic Non-Linear Brittle Peak with Strain Softening (NLBPSS) axial pipe-soil interaction behavior. The specific subroutine code was represented in the Finite Element Models (FEMs) by a series of User Elements (UELs) attached to the pipe elements. The NLBPSS case is a late and exclusive contribution from the present work to the family of available pipeline walking solutions for different forms of axial pipe-soil interaction model. The parametric case-study results are benchmarked against theoretical calculations of pipeline walking showing that the case study results deliver a reasonable accuracy level and are reliable. The results are then distilled into a simplified method in which the WR for NLBPSS soil can be estimated by adjusting a solution derived for RP and EPP soil. The key outcome is a genuine method to correct the WR resultant from a RP soil approach to allow for peak and softening behaviour. It provides a design tool that extends beyond the previously-available solutions and allows more rapid and efficient predictions of pipeline walking to be made. This contribution clarifies, for the downslope walking case, what is the most appropriate basis to incorporate or idealize the soil characteristics within the axial Pipe-Soil Interaction (PSI) response when performing PW assessments.

Effects of Nonlinear Riser-Soil Interaction Model on Fatigue Design of Steel Catenary Riser Under Random Waves

Steel Catenary Risers (SCRs) are one of the main components in development of oil and gas fields in deep waters. Fatigue design of SCRs in touch down zone (TDZ) is one of the main engineering challenges in design of riser systems. Nonlinear riser-soil interaction models have recently been introduced and used widely in advanced structural analysis of SCRs. Due to hysteretic nonlinear behavior of the soil, SCR system will show different structural response under different loading time histories. This paper investigates the effects of nonlinear riser-soil interaction in the TDZ on fatigue performance of an example SCR subjected to randomly generated waves. Sensitivity of fatigue life of the system, location of the critical node and the maximum stress range to different wave realizations and different soil types are discussed in detail.

Strain Capacity of Girth Welded Joints in HSAW Pipes

The general aim of a recently finalized European project, i.e. EU RFCS SBD-Spipe, is to generate specific know-how concerning the development and possible use of spirally welded pipes for demanding applications. The demanding applications relate especially to structural integrity issues, both onshore and offshore, requiring good performance under application of large strains resulting in buckling, collapse and/or tensile loading. The outcome of this project can also be used as technical basis for improving standards and guidelines, that address design and safety of spirally welded pipelines. The contribution of Ghent University to this project focusses on the aspects of tearing resistance, defect tolerance and strain capacity of girth welded joints subjected to remote axial tensile load. A numerical and experimental approach is used for the assessment of flaw tolerability and strain development upon tensile loading. Spiral pipes of steel grade API-5L X70 with 36” and 48” diameters have been girth welded using both a manual and semi-automatic welding processes. Curved wide plate specimens have been extracted from the pipes and artificial weld defects have been introduced. The specimens have been loaded in tension up to failure at a temperature of −10°C. This paper reports on the experimental result of a series of curved wide plate tests.

Subsea-Asset Protection From Falling Objects Using Multi-Layered Shielding: A Preliminary Study

Protection solutions for pipelines, umbilicals, and cables from accidentally dropped objects are generally implemented with concrete mattresses, though concrete does not effectively dissipate shock loading. The presented work investigated relative absorption properties of two materials (concrete and polystyrene), singly and in combination, with an aim to ultimately advance the protection of subsea assets from falling objects. A series of experiments were undertaken to measure the impact force from dropped objects of varied mass and height on single and stacked plates of varied thickness. It was concluded that the combination of absorptive and non-absorptive materials could be beneficial; specifically, a protection shield for a subsea asset could comprise concrete at the base, polystyrene through the middle, and a thin shell layer of concrete on the outer surface. The proposed next phase will seek the combination of concrete strength and polystyrene compression to provide optimum levels of absorption.

Fatigue Assessment of Damaged Pipelines After Glass Fiber and Epoxy Matrix Laminate Repairs

The aim of this work is to evaluate the residual fatigue life enhancement of damaged pipelines after the execution of composite material repairs made of laminates of epoxy matrix reinforced with glass fibers. In view of structural performance and cost concerns, the more suitable repair thickness should be proposed. The work comprises a numerical and experimental study on the stress concentration of damaged pipes under internal pressure before and after repair. A numerical model is developed, based on the finite element method, to provide stress concentration factors of damaged pipes (plain dent defect), under cyclic internal pressure, before and after applying glass fiber and epoxy matrix laminate repairs with varying thicknesses. Small-scale steel pipe samples are submitted to denting and the resulting stress concentration in the damaged region is estimated under cyclic internal pressure, before and after repair execution. From correlation between numerical and experimental results, the finite element model is calibrated and validated. A parametric study is carried out to evaluate stress concentration factors of dented pipes repaired with varying laminate thickness. Stress concentration factors of dented pipes under internal pressure after repair can be used in a fatigue assessment methodology from correction of S-N curves. The effect of repair thickness on the reduction of stress concentration factors is evaluated in view of the residual fatigue life enhancement of damaged pipes, beside repair procedure costs. Based on results of the parametric study, recommendations about the repair procedure using laminates of epoxy matrix reinforced with glass fibers will be proposed, comprising indications of the more suitable repair thickness, as a function of pipe and damage dimensions, in view of fatigue performance and cost concerns.

Further Advances on Concrete Coating Impact on Pipeline Strength

Concrete Weight Coating is used in offshore industry to provide for pipeline vertical and lateral stability against waves and currents and to guarantee protection against fishing activities. Reinforced concrete coating of adequate strength, especially in case of thick coatings for stringent in-place stability requirements, entails additional bending stiffness and consequently strain concentration at field joints, thus significantly affecting the state of stress and strain on the pipe steel during laying firstly, and then during operations. Attention of the offshore pipeline industry has been focused in the development of experimental and theoretical activities in a more scientific way, which aimed to satisfy the need of a better knowledge in this field. Both analytical and FEM solutions are available in the free literature and relevant standards to predict the contribution of concrete coating layer on global pipeline strength and deformation capacity and simplified threshold values for the concrete damage are provided, as well. Generally, for installation analysis purpose, a pipeline with equivalent mechanical behavior (bending moment-curvature relationship) and physical (weight) properties is used in installation and operation analyses. No assumptions are typically made on concrete damage evolution to evaluate the decay of pipe capacity beyond the elastic range. In this paper new advances in modelling the mechanical behavior of concrete coated joints are discussed. In particular an advanced ABAQUS finite element model is proposed to take into account the effect of concrete coating damage on the overall capacity. The following effects have been accounted: • Non-linear stress-strain relationship of the steel at large usage factors/curvatures on the strain concentration at the field joint. • Concrete coating damage evolution on global pipeline bending stiffness. In this paper: • The state-of-the-art about published materials, numerical studies and design approaches on concrete material modelling and concrete coated pipes is briefly presented; • A FEM based analysis methodology is drawn and proposed for the strength and deformation capacity assessment of a concrete coated pipe; • The FEM model is calibrated on available full scale tests; • The results of a project case study performed with ABAQUS FE Model are given.

Interference of Top Tensioned Risers for Tension Leg Platforms

Dry tree top-tensioned risers (TTRs) are widely used on floating production systems such as TLPs and Spars for drilling, completion, workover and production. The interference between neighboring TTRs is an important consideration which has a direct impact on the total TTR payload budget and the wellbay size for floater sizing and cost. Since the realistic sizing of a floater is essential towards the concept selection process for a field development, TTR interference should be addressed at the early stages of an offshore oilfield development. If the floater is a tension leg platform (TLP) and the field has strong current with associated extreme waves, riser interference may be very challenging and can have direct impact on riser design and the sizing and layout of the TLP. The waves and the oscillating motions of the TLP will have effects on riser interference. The oscillating motion of the TLP can excite the vibrational motion of the risers, and the wave-induced velocity of water particles and the motions of the risers with the movement of the TLP increases the relative flow acting on each riser. The combined effects will increase the deflection of the risers and thus the likelihood of riser interference. The industry has not seen an acceptable interference analysis approach yet which can account for the combined effects of current, waves, and TLP motions. This paper proposes two engineering approaches for the interference analysis of top tensioned risers for tension leg platforms with the combined effects of current, surface waves, and associated floater motions being addressed.