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.     

Research on the pipeline walking caused by cyclic increasing soil friction for free deep-sea submarine pipelines laid on even seabed

Pipelines are important to offshore oil and gas development, but suffers from the pipeline walking phenomenon due to cyclic temperature variations—where large axial walking distances threaten the safety of pipeline systems. Current research indicates that pipeline walking is triggered by steel catenary riser (SCR) tension, seabed slopes, or thermal transients. This paper proposes a new driving mechanism for the pipeline walking phenomenon, involving cyclic hardening soil strength. The finite element analysis method was adopted to analyse the soil friction difference induced walking phenomenon, and the influence of key parameters on the gain in soil friction on walking distance was studied. Pipeline walking distances under different drainage conditions in the heating and cooling processes were also calculated, and the impact of the degree of drainage in the heating process was determined. To better understand the new pipeline walking mechanism, theoretical analysis of the walking behaviour under different cyclic soil friction conditions was carried out. Analytical solutions for estimating the pipeline walking distance were also provided, based on the simplified theoretical analysis.     

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.     

Laboratory tests and thermal buckling analysis for pipes buried in Bohai soft clay

Upheaval buckling of submarine pipelines occurs due to relative movement of pipeline and surrounding soil and is often triggered by high operational temperature of the pipeline, initial imperfection of the pipeline, or a combination of both. Since buckling can jeopardize the structural integrity of a pipeline, it is a failure mode that should to be taken into account for the design and in-service assessment of trenched and buried offshore pipelines. In this study, a series of vertical (uplift) and axial pullout tests were carried out on model pipe segments buried in soft clay deposit similar to that present in Bohai Gulf, China. Pipe segments with three different diameters (= 30 mm, 50 mm and 80 mm) were buried in different depth-to-diameter ratios ranging from 1 to 8. Based on the results of laboratory tests, nonlinear force–displacement relations are proposed to model soil resistance mobilized during pipeline movement. The proposed nonlinear soil resistance models are employed in finite element analysis of buried pipelines with different amplitudes of initial geometric imperfections. Thermal upheaval buckling behavior of pipelines operating at different temperatures is studied. Results show that the capacity of pipeline against thermal buckling increases with the burial depth and decreases with the amplitude of initial imperfection.     

壁厚所致几何不连续性对卷管法安装管道的影响

对于深水管道,止屈器起到了很好的防止屈曲传播的作用,但是在卷管法安装中,管道在上卷和退卷的过程中将产生塑性变形,而由于止屈器导致的管道壁厚几何不连续性将使局部管段的变形增大,可能加剧塑性变形的影响。针对这个问题,建立ABAQUS非线性有限元模型模拟管道安装过程,研究上述问题对卷管铺管中管道性能的影响并作参数敏感性分析。结果表明,壁厚所致几何不连续性的存在导致卷管安装时管道局部曲率及应变明显增大;回拉力、管径与卷筒直径之比及管道壁厚等参数也将产生影响。另外,增加回拉力可降低上述不连续性的影响,但管道残余椭圆度也将增加;增大卷筒半径（或减小管道直径）将使不连续性的影响降低;增大管道壁厚可降低不连续性影响,但随之建造成本也将增加。本文研究结论可为卷管法安装中管道设计提供理论指导。     

Comparison of computational and analytical methods for evaluation of failure pressure of subsea pipelines containing internal and external corrosions

In the designing stage of subsea pipelines, the design parameters, such as pipe materials, thickness and diameters, are carefully determined to guarantee flow assurance and structural safety. However, once corrosion occurs in pipelines, the operating pressure should be decreased to prevent the failure of pipelines. Otherwise, an abrupt burst can occur in the corroded region of the pipeline, and it leads to serious disasters in the environment and financial loss. Accordingly, the relationship between the corrosion amount and failure pressure of the pipeline, i.e., the maximum operating pressure, should be investigated, and then, the assessment guideline considering the failure pressure should be identified. There are several explicit type codes that regulate the structural safety for corroded subsea pipelines, such as ASME B31G, DNV RF 101, ABS Building and Classing Subsea Pipeline Systems, and API 579. These rules are well defined; however, there are some limitations associated with describing precise failure pressure. Briefly, all of the existing rules cannot consider the material nonlinearity, such as elastoplasticity effect of the pipeline, as well as the actual three-dimensional corrosion shape. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to suggest a modified formula parameter considering the above-mentioned pipeline and corrosion characteristics. As a result, the material nonlinearity as well as the corrosion configuration, i.e., axial/circumferential corrosion length, width and depth, is reflected in a set of finite element models and a series of finite element analysis considering the operation conditions are followed. Based on the comparative study between the simulation and analytical results, which can be obtained from the classification society rules, the modified formulae for failure pressure calculation are proposed.     

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。     

海底管道巡检船研发设计

简要介绍自主研发设计的"海底管道巡检船"船型的主要技术性能和技术特点。该船定位为国内首艘海底管道巡检船,搭载专业声学探测装置,抗风浪性能良好,能够持久巡线并应急响应,其各项功能均针对渤海海域海底管道运维需求进行设计,能够保障海底管道安全运营,排除隐患以避免或最大限度降低管道泄漏造成的损失。     

用于预报离岸管线膨胀的简化技术（英文）

In this study, we propose a method for estimating the amount of expansion that occurs in subsea pipelines, which could be applied in the design of robust structures that transport oil and gas from offshore wells. We begin with a literature review and general discussion of existing estimation methods and terminologies with respect to subsea pipelines. Due to the effects of high pressure and high temperature, the production of fluid from offshore wells is typically caused by physical deformation of subsea structures, e.g., expansion and contraction during the transportation process. In severe cases, vertical and lateral buckling occurs,which causes a significant negative impact on structural safety, and which is related to on-bottom stability, free-span, structural collapse, and many other factors. In addition, these factors may affect the production rate with respect to flow assurance, wax, and hydration, to name a few. In this study, we developed a simple and efficient method for generating a reliable pipe expansion design in the early stage, which can lead to savings in both cost and computation time. As such, in this paper, we propose an applicable diagram, which we call the standard dimensionless ratio(SDR) versus virtual anchor length(LA) diagram, that utilizes an efficient procedure for estimating subsea pipeline expansion based on applied reliable scenarios. With this user guideline,offshore pipeline structural designers can reliably determine the amount of subsea pipeline expansion and the obtained results will also be useful for the installation, design, and maintenance of the subsea pipeline.     

一种具有双重功能的海底挖沟机

水下管道维修前，需要对海床进行基础开挖使管道裸露出来，并在维修点周围形成一定范围的工作面，因此须要使用水下管道维修基础开挖的专用设备——海底挖沟机。在新管线敷设过程中，也需要先对海底实施挖掘开沟，然后进行管道埋设。介绍了一种海底挖沟机，特别是关于一种既能进行海底管道维修基础开挖，又能进行海底管道开沟埋设的具有双重功能的海底挖沟机。     

海底管道腐蚀后的剩余强度评价

海底管道通常会因腐蚀而形成各种不同类型的缺陷,影响管道的承载能力和使用寿命。本研究在准确掌握管道缺陷发展情况的基础上,分别根据行业规范和采用有限元方法对海上油田含有腐蚀缺陷的原油管线进行剩余强度评价,判定海底管道修复的必要性和修复的紧迫程度,以确定最终的管线修复方案,可供类似海底管道修复工程参考。     

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。     

铺管船定位作业时的建模与分析

建立了J型半潜式铺管起重船非线性船舶运动数学模型和环境模型。采用自然悬链线法得到管道对船舶的近似动态水平作用力模型,给出了随着船体运动管道受到的作用力和管道形状的变化。针对铺管作业时张紧器和管道间的恒张力问题设计了控制器,控制器限制了船舶的运动和管道作用力的变化率,从而使管道和张紧器之间不会出现滑动,保证了铺管作业的安全性。     

Simplified Technique for Predicting Offshore Pipeline Expansion

In this study, we propose a method for estimating the amount of expansion that occurs in subsea pipelines, which could be applied in the design of robust structures that transport oil and gas from offshore wells. We begin with a literature review and general discussion of existing estimation methods and terminologies with respect to subsea pipelines. Due to the effects of high pressure and high temperature, the production of fluid from offshore wells is typically caused by physical deformation of subsea structures, e.g., expansion and contraction during the transportation process. In severe cases, vertical and lateral buckling occurs, which causes a significant negative impact on structural safety, and which is related to on-bottom stability, free-span, structural collapse, and many other factors. In addition, these factors may affect the production rate with respect to flow assurance, wax, and hydration, to name a few. In this study, we developed a simple and efficient method for generating a reliable pipe expansion design in the early stage, which can lead to savings in both cost and computation time. As such, in this paper, we propose an applicable diagram, which we call the standard dimensionless ratio (SDR) versus virtual anchor length (L_A) diagram, that utilizes an efficient procedure for estimating subsea pipeline expansion based on applied reliable scenarios. With this user guideline, offshore pipeline structural designers can reliably determine the amount of subsea pipeline expansion and the obtained results will also be useful for the installation, design, and maintenance of the subsea pipeline.     

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。     

Three-dimensional pipeline element formulation for global buckling analysis of submarine pipelines with sleeper

Submarine pipelines can utilize sleepers to control global buckling location, which mitigates potential risks under high temperature and pressure. However, pipelines with sleepers require execution in three-dimensional space and experience lateral buckling modes. As such, this paper proposes a 3D pipeline element for lateral buckling analysis, building on previous 2D element formulations. This new element considers non-linear pipe-soil interactions, thermal expansion, axial load, initial imperfections, large deflection, and other major factors that affect lateral buckling. The derivations of the 3D pipeline element are provided in detail, and the numerical analysis procedure is elaborated. To validate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed 3D pipeline element, several examples are presented.     

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.     

埕岛油田海底管道修复施工技术探讨

考虑到胜利油田埕岛海域海底管线的修复及维护施工难度大,分析埕岛油田浅海区域内海底管道漏点、外管变形及断裂的修复方法,同时对修复的施工工艺进行探讨。     

Lateral buckling of subsea pipelines triggered by combined sleeper and distributed buoyancy section

In order to release the axial compressive force resulting from high-temperature conditions, sleepers or distributed buoyancy sections are usually installed along the route of the subsea pipeline as the buckle initiation facilities to trigger lateral buckles. DNV-RP-F110 suggests that the individual buckle initiators can be combined to further increase the reliability of buckle formation. In this study, an improved buckle initiation technique, called the combined sleeper and distributed buoyancy section, is investigated. A generalised mathematical model is proposed to simulate lateral buckling triggered by the combined sleeper and distributed buoyancy section, and it can also be applied to simulate lateral buckling triggered by an individual technique, such as triggered only by sleeper or only by distributed buoyancy section. The mathematical model is verified by comparing with the solutions in the literature. The parametric analysis shows that the buckle formation reliability can be improved when the combined sleeper and distributed buoyancy section is employed. Moreover, both the axial force and the maximum stress along the buckled pipeline in the post-buckling stage are at a lower level, so the pipeline will be safer when the combined sleeper and distributed buoyancy section is utilised as the triggers.     

Algorithmic formulation of clay and sand pipe–soil interaction models for on-bottom stability analysis

This paper presents a new algorithmic formulation of the clay and sand pipe–soil interaction models recommended by the DNV-RP-F109 code for dynamic on-bottom stability analysis of submarine pipelines. The pipe–soil force update algorithm is formulated within the framework of computational elasto-plasticity and applies Backward-Euler integration to ensure stability and robustness for large time step sizes. Algorithmic optimization techniques are developed by utilizing a closed-form solution and subincrementation. A numerical verification study covering full cyclic displacement ranges of a 12 inch pipeline is presented. The new formulation is shown to increase the time step size by a factor of up to 50 compared to commercial software tools for on-bottom stability analysis. This achievement will be particularly beneficial for long-duration 3D nonlinear time domain on-bottom stability analysis.