Reliability-based design of subsea light weight pipeline against lateral stability

The application of non-metallic light weight pipeline (LWP) in subsea oil/gas transmission system is subject to subsea pipeline on-bottom stability problem because of their light weight. Additional weight required for the stabilization of subsea LWP is a critical item to consider when decreasing the cost of the pipeline system. This paper presents an effective approach to determine the additional weight by utilizing a reliability-based assessment of subsea LWP against on-bottom stability. In the approach, a dynamic non-linear finite element model (FEM), including a model of fluids-pipe-soil interaction for the subsea pipeline, is used to study the pipeline displacement response. In-place analysis of a flexible pipe is presented as an example of the authors' methodology. Results show that displacements are largely affected with and without considering the lift force. Additionally, the uncertainties of all parameters used in the model are considered. With 145 cases of FEM calculations being the samples, a response surface model (RSM) is developed to predict the pipeline lateral displacement using the software Design-Expert. Combing with the RSM equation, the Monte Carlo simulation method is employed to estimate the probability of exceeding pipeline stability. To calculate the reliability of LWP for different submerged weights, the method introduces a calibrated factor into the serviceability limit state (SLS) function. The proposed approach can be used to determine the additional weight required for the on-bottom stability of subsea pipelines while considering the uncertainties of all relevant parameters.     

国外海底管道局部屈曲研究综述

海底管道是海洋油气集输系统中最重要的组成部分之一,从铺设到服役都将承受多种载荷的作用,并可能发生局部屈曲且沿管道传播开来,由此造成严重的后果。海底管道的局部屈曲在管道安全性方面具有重要意义,已成为海底管道设计与评估中重要的内容。详细阐述了国外关于海底管道受外压、弯矩和轴力作用下的局部屈曲研究成果,论述了在单个载荷和多个载荷联合作用下的局部屈曲破坏机理,并提出了未来研究的建议。     

Nonlinear wave forces on large-scale submerged tunnel element

This paper presents parametric studies of nonlinear wave forces on large-scale submerged tunnel element. A transportation project of submerged tunnel element under irregular wave conditions is taken as the research background. Three-dimensional diffraction potential and radiation potential associating with the motion of the floating body are utilized, and an efficient three dimensional Green function is implemented to solve the radiation-diffraction problem. A computational method for calculating the nonlinear wave forces of the submerged tunnel element is developed. The present method is validated by the existed methods and experimental data, and good agreements are observed for all test models. The effects of wave parameters and structural parameters on the second-order nonlinear wave forces are studied. Results from the present study can provide valuable recommendations for the weather window and downtime frequencies, the configuration of tugboats, the arrangement of sea-route, and the size and type of the design and construction of the submerged tunnel element.     

Splash zone lowering analysis of a large subsea spool piece

Lifting operation though the wave splash zone is challenging. Careful numerical analysis in the design phase is needed to minimize associated risks. This study addresses numerical modeling and analysis of the splash zone lowering of a large subsea spool. A typical offshore construction vessel is used for the operation. The objective is to compare the effects from different numerical methods and parameters on the allowable sea states and the operability. These methods and parameters include wave short-crestedness, shielding effects from the vessel, wave direction and wave seed number. A coupled numerical model of the spool-vessel system is established in SIMO program, which is a simulation tool for marine operations. Slamming and submergence-dependent loads on the spool during the transient lowering process are calculated. A large number of time-domain simulations has been performed to derive the allowable sea states. The operational criteria for assessment of the sea states include slack sling, snap loads in wires and clearance between spool and the vessel. Operability analysis of the operation at one reference site in the Barent Sea is established using 50-year hindcast data. The influences from different methods on the allowable sea states and the operability are compared and discussed in detail.     

不同浸深比半浸式螺旋桨动态力试验研究

为了探讨半浸式螺旋桨的动态性能,利用六分力天平测量不同浸深比下半浸式螺旋桨的非定常力,分析浸深比对半浸式螺旋桨动态力的影响,并探讨半浸式螺旋桨受力在水平面和垂直平面上的方向性.试验结果表明,在合适的浸深比下,可以减小半浸式螺旋桨各分力的波动,改善半浸式螺旋桨的操纵性能.     

多模块MOB连接器动力特性研究

以7模块MOB为研究对象,利用RMFC模型,基于势流理论对7个构成模块单元进行3D水动力性能分析,计算过程中考虑了由于遮蔽效应而导致的浮体间相互作用.编制基于频域的多浮体运动和柔性连接器载荷计算程序,计算在规则波和不规则波下的连接器载荷值,并比较不同连接器刚度下各柔性连接器载荷值.计算结果表明,波浪入射角、波频、连接器刚度和海况对连接器载荷响应具有显著影响.本文的计算结果可为MOB柔性连接器设计与模块耐波性设计提供参考.     

含缺陷海底管道横向屈曲理论研究

考虑了初始几何缺陷对管道屈曲临界载荷的影响,基于经典热屈曲理论,推导了平坦海床上裸铺管道横向屈曲临界载荷的理论公式,给出了无限远处管道轴向力的计算公式及临界温度的计算公式。建立了平坦海床上裸铺管道的非线性有限元模型,并将有限元结果与解析结果进行了对比,验证了解析公式的合理性。     

Validation and application of nonlinear hydrodynamics from CFD in an engineering model of a semi-submersible floating wind turbine

Nonlinear hydrodynamics play a significant role in accurate prediction of the dynamic responses of floating wind turbines (FWTs), especially near the resonance frequencies. This study investigates the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to improve an engineering model (based on potential flow theory with Morison-type drag) by modifying the second-order difference-frequency quadratic transfer functions (QTFs) and frequency-dependent added mass and damping for a semi-submersible FWT. The results from the original and modified engineering models are compared to experimental data from decay tests and irregular wave tests. In general, the CFD results based on forced oscillation tests suggest increasing the frequency-depending added mass and damping at low frequencies compared to first order potential flow theory. The modified engineering model predicts natural periods close to the experimental results in decay tests (within 5%), and the underprediction of the damping is reduced compared to the original engineering model. The motions, mooring line tensions and tower-base loads in the low-frequency response to an irregular wave are underestimated using the original engineering model. The additional linear damping increases this underestimation, while the modified QTFs based on CFD simulations of a fixed floater in bichromatic waves result in larger difference-frequency wave loads. The combined modifications give improved agreement with experimental data in terms of damage equivalent loads for the mooring lines and tower base.     

多相流作用下水下刚性跨接管流致振动特性数值模拟方法研究

跨接管内一般为油、气、水混合的多相流动,目前多相流作用下的管道振动研究多为实验研究,运用计算结构力学CSD和计算流体力学CFD结合的流固耦合方法对多相流内流作用下的倒置U形跨接管流致振动问题进行研究,得到管道内的多相流分布和管道动力响应,可用于多相流内流作用下水下跨接管的设计及跨接管振动疲劳寿命分析。     

水下灌浆定形式海底管道立管固定装置研究

针对海底管道立管管卡发生损坏或者脱落,影响海底管道安全运行的情况,研制新型水下灌浆定型式海底管道立管固定装置。讨论水下管卡的结构形式,材料的选择及管卡灌浆的工艺流程。实验证明,该新型管卡能够代替原有管卡很好地对立管起到保护作用,能确保海底管道的安全运行。     

海底埋设管线平管起吊运动分析

基于有限元软件OrcaFlex,充分考虑不规则波浪、海流、管土相互作用以及船舶管线耦合运动,建立海底埋设管线平管起吊模型。参考DNV-RP-F110计算埋深管道受到的土壤阻力,依据DNV-RP-C205确定相关水动力系数。通过数值模拟研究分析管线在平管起吊过程中管道的运动响应以及吊绳张力的时间历程变化,为实际海底管线平管起吊提供一定理论参考。     

Imperfection study on lateral thermal buckling of subsea pipeline triggered by a distributed buoyancy section

Controlled lateral buckling is triggered by distributed buoyancy section at predesigned sites to release the axial force induced by high temperature and high pressure in subsea pipelines. Due to the larger diameter and smaller submerged weight of distributed buoyancy section, compared to the normal pipe section, imperfections are more easily introduced at the location of distributed buoyancy section. In this study, an analytical model is proposed to simulate lateral buckling triggered by a distributed buoyancy section for an imperfect subsea pipeline, which is validated by test data. Semi-analytical solutions are derived. First, snap-through buckling behaviour is discussed. Then the influence of initial imperfections on buckled configurations, post-buckling behaviour, displacement amplitude and maximum stress is discussed in detail. The results show that there is no snap-through phenomenon for large amplitude of initial imperfections, which appears only when the amplitude of imperfection is small enough. The displacement amplitude increases with the amplitude of initial imperfections, and it first increases and then decreases with wavelength of initial imperfection. Compared to a perfect pipeline, the maximum stress amplifies for relative small wavelength of initial imperfections. Therefore, a large enough wavelength of initial imperfection should be introduced.     

Stress analysis of the subsea dynamic riser baseprocess piping

Thesubsea dynamic riser base （SDRB） is an important piece of equipment for the floating production platform mooring system.One end is connected to the rigid pipeline, carrying a rigid pipeline thermal expansion load and the other end is connected to a flexible riser, carrying the dynamic load of the flexible riser, so its function is a transition connection between the flexible riser and the rigid pipeline which fixes the flexible riser on the seabed. On the other hand. as a typical subsea product, the design will satisfythe requirements of the standards for subsea products. By studying the stress analysisphilosophy of the topside piping and subsea pipeline, a physical model and procedure for piping stress analysis of the SDRB have been established.The conditions of the adverse design load have been considered, and a combination of the static load from the rigid pipeline and the dynamic load flexibility has also been optimized. And a comparative analysis between the AMSE, DNV and API standards for piping stress with the checking rules has been done.Because theSDRB belongs to the subsea pipeline terminal product, the use of DNV standards to check its process piping stress is recommended. Finally, the process piping stress of the SDRB has been calculated, and the results show that the jacket pipe and the carrier pipe stress of the SDRB process piping satisfy the DNV standards as a whole.The bulkhead cannot be accurately simulated by the AutoPIPE software which uses the FEA software ANSYS inthe detailed analysis, but the checking results will still meet the requirements of the DNV standards.     

Prediction of design loads for deep water subsea lifting operations based on non-stationary time response

Two methodologies for the prediction of the design loads of deep water subsea lifting operations crossing resonance zones are presented. These methodologies are applicable to models that consider the influence of the payout speed on the dynamics of the operation, leading to a non-stationary time series for the dynamic forces on the system. The first model is based on running several random simulations of the same scenario and using these simulations as a sample in which statistical parameters are inferred. The second model uses a weighted least squares approach to predict a normalizing function that is used to evaluate the statistical parameters of the response. Both models are tested by considering the installation of a typical manifold in the Pre-Salt fields, in Brazil, and are able to predict the general form of the envelope of forces on the cable for various sea states and payout speeds. The models also provided similar results for the availability of the vessel after evaluating the weather window for this operation. Finally, the advantages of using the weighted least squares approach in comparison to the direct method are discussed, since it may considerably reduce the total number of simulations required to perform a real operation assessment, especially during preliminary design phases.     

Efficient methods to mitigate SCR-induced walking of short subsea flowlines

Steel catenary riser is a long-established option for subsea projects in deep-water regions. Sustained pulling force of steel catenary risers on subsea flowlines in combination with cyclic thermal load throughout the system lifetime may lead to progressive global axial displacement of subsea pipelines which has been termed as ‘walking’. One of the challenges in the deep-water industry is long-term walking of subsea flowlines in a cumulative manner. Common practice methods for walking mitigation are quite expensive operations. State-of-the-art mitigation strategies are proposed in the paper by means of modifying pipe pieces before the installation operation. Bowed pipe pieces and miter joints are two recommended approaches for walking mitigation. The presented mitigation strategies are relatively cost-effective solutions for the pipe-walking challenge and they are able to considerably cease the potential cyclic walking. Comprehensive FE analyses in ABAQUS software are performed to evaluate the proposed deformed pipelines response subject to two loading conditions. Through-life integrity of the suggested pre-deformed pipeline is assessed in terms of effective axial force, local buckles and excessive axial strains. A comparison of the presented method with conventional techniques shows the effectiveness of the proposed configuration. The proposed methods can significantly reduce effective axial force throughout the subsea pipeline by means of artificially introduced deformations. The cumulative walking of the presented method is practically zero. In addition, the influence of combined triggering mechanisms to the walking phenomenon is assessed when the pipeline is located on a sloping seabed and it is subject to non-uniform thermal loads. A parametric study is performed to improve confidence in design and provide a reasonably practical technique with an optimal shape.     

The dynamics of deep water subsea lifting operations in super-harmonic resonance via the harmonic balance method

The dynamics of deep water subsea lifting operations experiencing super-harmonic resonance is analysed in this study. The harmonic balance method is used to solve the non-dimensional equation of motion of the system and the results are compared with time domain integration and with an equivalent energy dissipation model for typical subsea lifting scenarios. It is demonstrated that 1:3 and 1:5 super-harmonic resonances represent significant features of the response of the system and can lead to large dynamic forces in the cable, which may violate the structural limits of the system in real operations. The harmonic balance method presents results almost as accurate as the time domain integration but up to 25 to 35 times faster, while the equivalent energy dissipation model is not able to represent the super-harmonic resonances. Consequently, taking into account the dynamics introduced by super-harmonic resonances is necessary in the analysis of subsea lifting operations, as it can be the limiting design criterion in certain scenarios, and the harmonic balance method can be used as a fast and accurate method to solve this problem.     

Seismic response of subsea structures on caissons and mudmats due to liquefaction

This paper presents a numerical study to investigate the seismic behavior of mudmat and caisson foundations supporting subsea structures, such as manifolds, in liquefiable sand. In seismic areas, substantial earthquake loads can be imparted to subsea structures during ground shaking, threatening their stability. In particular, soil liquefaction in sandy soil arising from strong ground motions could significantly influence the performance of subsea structures founded on liquefiable sand. The results of this study can provide a better understanding of the response of subsea manifolds in liquefiable soil during and after the earthquake. Three-dimensional, non-linear, dynamic analyses are performed using a finite difference scheme, and the ability of the model to reproduce the site response of a saturated sand deposit is assessed using the results of available centrifuge data. This study includes six computational models representing manifolds with different sizes and weights supported by caissons and mudmats in shallow and deep liquefiable sand subjected to moderate and strong earthquake shakings. The response is evaluated in terms of excess pore water pressure generated in the soil medium and displacements of the subsea foundation during and after the shaking. The results show that manifolds may experience considerable movement during liquefaction and post-liquefaction settlements. In addition, depending on the characteristics of the seismic motion and structural system, the manifold could also experience large tilting.     

水下管道连接器设计研究及应用

随着全球海洋石油天然气开发从浅水走向深水,由于潜水员下潜深度有限,海底油气管道的连接必须通过水下机器人代替潜水员完成此项工作。因此各种管道连接技术也越来越多地应用于海洋石油开发中。水下管道连接器作为一种重要的自动安装连接装置,涉及到机械、液压、材料、防腐、密封等各个方面,具有免潜水员操作、安装便捷、可靠性高等特点,可广泛应用于水下油气管道连接。本文对已成功应用于南海某气田中水下采气树跨接管连接的水平机械式管道连接器和水下管汇发球器连接的垂直液压式管道连接器,从密封结构、导向结构、锁紧结构的设计进行了深入的阐述,并在连接器样机型式试验、产品防腐、水下安装等方面也进行了详细的说明。     

无溶剂超厚膜环氧涂层海洋腐蚀模拟试验研究

超厚膜重防腐涂料具有优异的防腐性能以及环境友好的特点,是海洋环境防腐涂料的重要发展方向。文中介绍了一种新型的无溶剂超厚膜环氧重防腐涂料,测试了涂层的物理性能,并采用海洋腐蚀模拟试验装置对该涂料以及常用的三种重防腐涂料在海水浪花飞溅区、潮差区和全浸区的耐久性进行了对比研究。结果表明:该涂料具有优异的物理性能,VOC含量极低,是环境友好型无溶剂涂料;模拟试验表明浪花飞溅区是海洋腐蚀最严酷的区域,各涂料在该区域腐蚀最严重,超厚膜环氧重防腐涂料的防腐效果最优,是环氧沥青涂料的理想替代品。     

潜式沉箱-群桩-平台型复合结构波浪力计算的试验研究

文章介绍了一种潜式沉箱、群桩和平台相结合的新型复合结构.通过物理模型试验对这种复合结构在规则波和不规则波作用下的水动力特征进行了研究,探讨了正向波浪总力和垂向波浪总力与无因次参数相对波高H/d、相对沉箱长度A1/L及相对沉箱潜深d1/L之间的关系.根据试验结果总结出正向力与垂向力的计算公式,给出了复合结构各部分受力随透...