Offshore Risers Must Be Designed To Resist Pipeline Movement

TECHNOLOGY Offshore risers must be designed to resist pipeline m... http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/volume-94/issue-25/in-this-issue/pipe...
TECHNOLOGY
Offshore risers
must be designed
to resist pipeline
movement
06/17/1996
Design methods are available to counter

effects of pipeline movement on subsea riser
systems.
Their application depends on environmental

conditions, platform structure/constraints, in-
service conditions, pipeline approach to the
platform, and economics.
Factors for selecting among the methods are

discussed here. A hypothetical project, a 24-
in. OD pipeline, is presented as an example.
In this example, the seabed is prone to

scouring, necessitating seabed preparation
around the platform to ensure structural
integrity of the riser system.
Additionally, it is as sumed that the system will
1 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
be operated at high pressure (150 barg) and

temperature (80 C.) in 50 m of water.
Pipeline-riser system
A submarine pipeline between two offshore

platforms or between a platform and shore is
usually tied into the platform via a rigid riser.
The riser is fixed to the platform with a varying
number of clamps depending on platform
height, flexibility of the riser, dynamic behavior
of the riser, and constraints imposed by the
platform structure.
The riser system may be subject to

movements of the pipeline towards the
platform. These movements are a function of
the submerged weight of the pipe, its
operating conditions (pressures and
temperatures), and environmental conditions.
If these movements are large, measures must

be taken during design to ensure the
structural integrity of the riser system during
its service life.
Following are the remedial measures usually

adopted to reduce effects of pipeline
movements at the riser base:
Using pipe for the riser system that

has a thicker wall than the rest of the
pipeline.
Applying extra concrete coating to a

length of the pipeline close to the
riser base. This approach must be
within the laying capability of the
pipeline installation vessels.
In combination with these two

measures, relying on the riser pipe's
flexibility (first span from the seabed)
2 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
as a vertical offset.
Installing the riser and a length of the

pipeline below the seabed.
Dumping rock over a length of the

pipeline to reduce expansion.
Tying-in the riser-pipeline with a

dogleg spool, commonly known as an
"offset," or an expansion loop such as
U-loops.
The technical feasibility of the methods should

be reviewed with regard for the stability of the
seabed surrounding the platform structure. If
the seabed is prone to scouring from
combined action of current and waves and the
related transportation-erosion of seabed
sediments, the scouring pattern of the seabed
requires close attention during design.
The problems, solutions, and technical and

cost assessments for such pipeline-riser
systems have never been completely dealt
with. This article is intended therefore to help
solve problems faced by designers and
offshore operators.
Expansion spool design
Stability and structural design of an expansion

device require the following factors to be
considered:
Its wall thickness and steel quality

should be able to accept stresses
induced in the system during
installation and operation.
Its negative buoyancy should be

sufficient to resist horizontal and
vertical movements from
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environmental forces during

installation and operation.
The seabed below the expansion

device should be stable; otherwise,
seabed preparation will be required
to ensure the structural integrity and
lifetime operation of the system.
If rock dumping is selected as an

additional means to minimize pipeline
expansion, design of the spool
should ensure it can withstand
extreme environmental forces likely
during the service life of the pipeline-
riser system.
Winds and waves, water depth, currents, and

seabed soils should be considered for the
system's stability (OGJ, Feb. 22, 1982, p. 110;
Mar. 1, 1982, p. 110). These data should be
assessed and environmental design
parameters prepared for use in the system's
engineering.
For structural design, necessary parameters

are internal and external pressures,
installation and design temperatures, and
hydrostatic test pressures. These parameters
are available from the process design,
location of the expansion device (for external
pressure), and applicable codes, standards
and guidelines (for hydrostatic test
pressure).1-4
Assessing the pipeline's axial movement

towards the platform requires knowing
whether the pipeline is to be trenched or laid
on the seabed. This will depend on stability
requirements of the pipeline against
environmental loads, such external hazards
as fishing and dropping and dragging of
4 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
anchors by construction and other vessels,

and statutory requirements.
For example, in the North Sea, trenching

pipelines smaller than 16-in. OD is mandatory.
Platform deflections (for 1 and 10-year return

periods maximum wave conditions) and
elevations of all riser clamps from the seabed
must be considered during design. The
location of the first riser clamp predominantly
governs the flexibility of the whole system.
Design procedures
Design procedures for expansion devices will

depend on each project's conditions but can
be generally summarized:
1. Assess the stability requirements for

the pipeline and establish the
pipeline's required submerged weight
during operating conditions.
If lowering the pipeline below the

seabed by trenching or burial is
necessary, the weight-coating
requirements and hence the resulting
submerged weight can be reduced.
Deciding whether the pipeline must lie

below the seabed depends on severe
environmental loads that necessitate
pipeline submerged weights outside the
laying capability of the installation
vessel, protection of the pipeline against
external hazards, and requirements of
government agencies.
Fig. 1 [18312 bytes] shows a

relationship between nominal pipe
diameters and commercial wall
thicknesses (D/t) as a function of three
design pressures for API Steel Grade
5 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
X-60.
For various pipe nominal diameters,

Fig. 2 [32893 bytes] show the
relationship between commercial wall
thicknesses and submerged weight as a
function of weight-coating thicknesses.
Because of the severe environmental

conditions in shallow waters (site
dependent), it is usual to select the
weight-coating density as shown. This
high-coating density, combined with
properly chosen reinforcement, will
resist the impact of fishing gears and at
the same time reduce the coating
thickness required.
For the pipe sizes shown in Fig. 2

[32893 bytes], the selected weight-
coating thicknesses (45 mm, 75 mm,
and 100 mm) are based on the
thickness which can be applied by
weight-coating plants and the maximum
thickness which is within the laying
capability of proven pipelay equipment
for 50-m water depth, for example.
2. Depending upon the configuration of

the pipeline and known in-service
conditions, compute the axial
movement of the pipeline towards the
platform.5
Fig. 3 [25532 bytes] shows a

relationship between pipeline expansion
and nominal pipeline diameter as a
function of pipeline submerged weight
and design temperatures. For example,
the curve 2000 (80) indicates a
submerged weight of 2,000 Newtons/m
(137 lb/ft) and a design temperature of
80 C. (144 F.).
As shown in Fig. 3 [25532 bytes],
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various curves have been drawn for a

single design pressure (150 barg).
Generally, the stresses/strains as a
result of internal pressure are much less
compared to the temperature-induced
stresses/
strains. Therefore, for lower design

pressures, the resulting expansion can
be assumed to be 10-25% lower.
3. Investigate whether the calculated

axial movement of the pipeline can
be absorbed by the riser flexibility to
meet the following requirements:
The pipeline system, for example, must

be installed where, because of existing
pipelines, it is not feasible to install an
expansion device. In such situations,
the location of the first riser clamp from
the seabed is very important.
In order to facilitate riser-pipeline tie in,

avoid installing an expansion device.
4. If the flexibility of the riser can absorb

the expected axial movement, the
analyses for establishing or verifying
riser spans (static and dynamic
criteria) and for riser flexibility1-4 are
undertaken. These analyses must
consider the functional as well as the
extreme environmental loads in
combination with applicable platform
deflections.
If the platform area is prone to scouring,

seabed stabilization must be
considered.
5. If the axial movement of the pipeline

is excessive and the riser flexibility
7 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
cannot absorb it, several available

options depend on technical and
economic considerations.
Figs. 4-11 illustrate various options to

reduce pipeline and riser axial
movements:
Installing doglegs or expansion

loops.
For congested areas, installing
riser base and a section of the
pipeline below a predetermined
seabed level.
The feasibility of this option

depends on the seabed soils,
availability of the necessary
equipment to execute the works,
and the impact on the overall
project completion.
Rock dumping (engineered

backfill).
Installing a combination of
doglegs or expansion loops
with rock dumping over a
section of the pipeline.
Fig. 4 [22029 bytes] shows the design

of doglegs and U-loops. This design
assumes that the wall thickness and
steel quality of the expansion devices
are the same as the riser-pipeline near
the platform.
Depending on project requirements,

data shown in Fig. 4 [22029 bytes] may
be used to approximate the size of the
expansion devices. The size should
then be optimized in the subsequent
computer analysis of the riser-pipeline
system.
Fig. 5 [22907 bytes] illustrates the

design for rock dump as an expansion-
8 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
reducing device. This design is based

on a practical rock dump cover of 1 m
(3.3 ft) over the top of the weight-coated
pipeline.
As in Fig. 3 [25532 bytes], data shown

are valid for a design pressure of 150
barg and, as a conservative design,
may be also used for lower design
pressures. For clarity, curves for lower
design temperatures have not been
shown.
For submerged weights, reference is

made to Figs. 2a-d [32893 bytes]. It is
suggested that in conjunction with Fig. 3
[25532 bytes], the designer should use
his or her judgment and experience to
arrive at a rational design.
Combination solutions
Table 1 [27123 bytes] shows the expansion-

minimizing combination solutions based on
installation economics for the considered pipe
sizes and their submerged weight ranges in
this discussion.
The 8-in. combination solutions are not shown

in Table 1 [27123 bytes] because all the
possible solutions are covered under the first
of four considerations, listed presently, upon
which Table 1's [27123 bytes] data are based.
For a 16-in. pipeline, the heaviest submerged

weight considered in this discussion
necessitates no combination solutions. Table
1 [27123 bytes] for this pipe size, therefore,
includes only data for the lightest submerged
weight.
Following are the considerations upon which

Table 1's [27123 bytes] data are based:
9 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
1. For pipeline expansion of 0.5 m, a

maximum dogleg length of 24 m, or a
maximum U-loop size of 10 m x 10 m
or a maximum rock dump length of
50 m may be used, regardless of the
pipeline sizes and their
corresponding submerged weights.
If seabed scour is possible, use of rock

dump only is advised.
2. For other pipeline expansions of 1-3

m, for the combination solutions
depending upon pipe size and
applicable submerged weight, a
maximum dogleg length of 36 m, or a
maximum U-loop size of 24 m x 24
m, and necessary rock dump length
are proposed.
3. For combination solutions, it is

proposed to install the necessary
rock dump past the dogleg or the
U-loop, away from the platform, to
allow the expansion device to act as
a free system. This requires that the
stability of the installed expansion
device be ensured under extreme
environmental conditions.
4. As mentioned earlier, the proposed

combination solutions have been
established for an extreme design
case of high pressure and
temperature. Other possible and less
extreme cases can easily be
estimated from Table 1 [27123 bytes].
Scour prevention
The combination of a severe storm-wave
10 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
climate, tidal currents, and fine mobile seabed

sediments,6-8 if predominant, can generate
seabed scour. In certain shallow regions,
scouring of the seabed around platforms is
common.
Several scour-prevention and pipeline support

methods are available. Some have detailed
track records; others, however, offer limited
field experience. Solutions discussed here are
therefore based on practical experience and
track records to demonstrate the success and
applicability of any given method.
The three main methods are summarized in

Table 2 [53708 bytes] which also includes a
brief indication of associated typical costs.
Other methods such as use of artificial
seaweed tried in the shallow areas of the
North Sea, have had little success, based on
available reports.
1. Installation of an engineered backfill

material (rock dump) is considered to
be the most reliable, adaptable, and
cost-effective method of achieving
large-scale seabed stability, scour
prevention, and/or rectification.
2. Discrete pipeline supports such as

stabilizing grout bags should,
wherever possible, be avoided close
to the platforms.
3. If supports are required as a

preinstallation feature, they are best
achieved by installation of flexible
protection mattresses.
Whichever system is selected, the installation

contractor should ensure that the support
foundation is adequately stabilized so that
11 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
local scour is not initiated.
Two criteria should be satisfied to ensure the

stability of the engineered backfill:
The lower layers should be suitably

graded to prevent the rock fill from
sinking into the underlying layer.
The outer layer should be stable

against extreme wave and current
action.
Based on technical and practical

considerations, it is a common practice to
install engineered backfill having a cover of 1
m on top of the pipeline. The lower layers
around the bottom of the pipeline can have an
average grain size varying 10-60 mm.
Economic considerations indicate installing
excessive quantities of backfill material should
be avoided.
Installation methods
Installation of expansion devices should

satisfy the following criteria:
Installation procedures should

conform to accepted offshore safety
standards and applicable code and
field requirements.
The installation method and tie-in of a

riser-pipeline should minimize the risk
of damage to the riser system or the
platform and should not jeopardize
the integrity of the riser-pipeline
system during its operational life.
The installation method should
12 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
minimize offshore costs.
The selected scour-prevention

method should be readily
incorporated into the overall
installation procedures and overall
project schedule.
Before installation of the riser-pipeline

interface begins, the local seabed and the
platform structure should receive a
comprehensive survey.
Methods that may be adopted to tie-in the

riser and pipeline system are surface tie-in,
flanged or mechanical connections, and
hyperbaric welding.
The use of surface a tie-in is only applicable

to shallow and transitional waters and
necessitates a suitably sized vessel capable
of lifting the pipeline under tension while also
lifting the riser into a position so that it may be
welded and finally lowered into position.
Because of the more exact dimensional

requirements of flanged or mechanical
connections, a spool piece is usually required
to facilitate the tie-in between the riser base
and the pipeline termination. Flanged or
mechanical connections as a general rule
must be positioned at locations where the
bending moments in the riser-pipeline system
are minimal.
Hyperbaric welds are completed by divers

within the confines of a welding habitat
positioned over the exposed pipeline ends.
On completion of the riser-pipeline tie-in, the

pipeline and specifically the riser base should
be checked for spans. Any spans in the
system in excess of the allowable limits
should be rectified by installation of grout-bag
13 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
supports. Alternatively, local covering with

backfill material may also be adopted.
Protecting expansion devices
For safe operation and minimum maintenance

of a riser-pipeline system, it is essential fully
to establish the seabed preparation required if
seabed scouring near the platform is
imminent.
The stability and protection of expansion

devices should also be addressed during
detail design.
Whichever option of seabed preparation and

protection of the expansion device is chosen,
the following criteria should be satisfied:
technical feasibility, operational requirements,
installation and safety aspects, reasonable
costs, and minimum inspection and
maintenance.
Figs. 6-11 illustrate various feasible options.
Option 1. Design of certain riser-

pipeline systems requires the system
to be buried before being made
operational (Fig. 6 [18476 bytes]).
If this method is adopted, the pipeline

approaches should be buried and
backfilled beneath the lowest expected
scour profile, thereby ensuring its
continuous support.
Burial deeper than 2 m may be

required. Such burial of the pipe to a
specified depth will ensure that the
expansion effects will be significantly
reduced.
Addition of rock dump material over the

platform approaches of the buried
14 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
pipeline will serve to reduce further this

expansion and also minimize scouring
effects.
Option 2. This option relies on the

rock dumping of the riser-pipeline
section close to the platform (Fig. 7
[21639 bytes]). Burial of the pipeline
approaches may be completed as a
one-stage operation.
This operation allows installation of the

pipeline approaches directly onto an
unprepared seabed; data from the
relevant seabed surveys should be
reviewed to ensure that no excessive
spans are generated.
Option 3. In this option (Fig. 8 [22485

bytes]), seabed preparation and
subsequent protection of the riser-
pipeline system are carried out in two
stages. The first involves installation
of a layer of rock dump material to
provide a level seabed and eliminate
potential spans.
The pipeline system may then be

installed on the prepared seabed and
fully checked to ensure the correct
contact has been developed. The rock
dump material is subsequently installed
over the pipeline which is buried to the
required depth.
The final extent and profile of the rock

dump should be checked to ensure
compliance with the design
requirements.
Option 4. In this case (Fig. 9 [18217

bytes]), before installation of the
pipeline, a preinstalled and leveled
15 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
rock dump material is covered by an

articulated concrete "carpet" which
provides a uniform, flat surface over
which the pipeline may expand.
In this case, it is also feasible to install

an expansion device such as a dogleg
or a U-loop. This will provide increased
expansion absorption capability and
may be integrated into the system when
the vertical expansion offset (riser
flexibility) arrangement has reached the
limit of its expansion absorption
capabilities.
Consideration should be given to the

limited length (dimensions) of the
expansion devices which may still be
installed by conventional techniques
and the stability of the system under
extreme environmental conditions.
Option 5. Previous options have

identified various solutions which use
rock dump material either to cover or
support the pipeline approaches.
Under certain conditions, various
combinations of these two solutions
may be developed to satisfy a given
situation.
Typically, this may include rock dumping

a section of the pipeline to limit its
expansion, so that the remaining
expansion may be accommodated by a
suitably sized seabed expansion
device. The expansion device would, as
in Option 4, also be installed on a
preinstalled layer of rock dump material
and an articulated concrete carpet.
The length of the rock dumped section

can be determined to limit the
expansion of the pipeline system (Fig.
16 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
10 [16292 bytes]).
Option 6. A flexible pipe (Fig. 11

[15082 bytes]) can be used to
connect the pipeline to the riser.
Flexible pipe tie-ins are generally

completed with standard and swivel
flanged connections. The pipeline and
riser systems may be installed as
separate independent components
which are connected at a later date by
the flexible pipe.
The inherent flexibility of these pipes provides

two major advantages to the system.
Example
The design example (Table 3 [37715 bytes])

considers a 24-in. gas pipeline of API 5L
Grade X-60 steel in an assumed water depth
of 50 m.
The design submerged weight in gas-filled

condition is based on typical 100-year storm
return period environmental data.
It is assumed that during its operating life, the

pipeline will rest on the sandy seabed with
slight embedment and that the seabed near
the platform is prone to scouring. For this
purpose, the design considers a 1 m deep
and 15 m long scour pit.
The height of the first riser span was checked

against vortex excitation criteria and found
acceptable. 2 Table 4 [47406 bytes]
summarizes the results.
The expansion-absorbing capability of the

riser being limited (0.16 m = 0.53 ft), it was
therefore necessary to evaluate various
expansion-absorbing devices.
17 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
Because of the seabed scour, preparing the

seabed is necessary for all the six options.
Option 1 would necessitate mobilizing a

jetting spread at high cost because the
seabed-preparation vessel, which would also
be used to cover the riser-pipeline with
engineered backfill, would be on standby until
the riser and pipeline have been jetted to the
desired grade.
Options 2 and 3 can be installed by any of the

three installation techniques discussed earlier,
after preparation of the seabed.
Options 4 through 6 may become uneconomic

because of standby of the rock dumping
vessel.
For this example, Option 3 is therefore

recommended. For this solution, however,
stability of the expansion device is of utmost
importance.
References
1. "Rules for Submarine Pipeline Systems,"

DnV 1981.
2. "Code of Practice for Pipelines," British

Standard BS 8010, Part 3, 1993.
3. "Liquid Transportation Systems for

Hydrocarbons, Liquid Petroleum Gas,
Anhydrous Ammonia, and Alcohols," ASME
B31.4, 1992.
4. "Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping

System," ASME B31.8, 1992.
5. Palmer, A.C., and Ling, M.T.S.,

"Movements of Submarine Pipelines Close to
Platforms," Proceedings, Offshore Technology
Conference, Houston, 1981.
18 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
6. U.S. Army Coastal Research Center,

"Shore Protection Manual," Vol. 3, 1984.
7. Breusers, H.N.C., et al., "Local Scour

around Cylindrical Piers," Journal of
Hydraulics Research, Vol. 15, No. 3.
8. Raudkuri, A.J., Loose Boundary Hydraulics,

1976.
The Author
B.K. Jinsi
is a senior
project
manager
for John
Brown/Zee
tech
Engineering, The Netherlands, which he

joined in 1994. Most recently he worked in
Singapore for Kaverner R.J. Brown as
senior engineering specialist.
Jinsi holds a BS in civil engineering (1962)

from the Institution of Civil Engineers,
Calcutta.
Copyright 1996 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights

Reserved.
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19 de 20 28/07/2017 15:11
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Offshore Risers Must Be Designed To Resist Pipeline Movement

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TECHNOLOGY Offshore risers must be designed to resist pipeline m... http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/volume-94/issue-25/in-this-issue/pipe...

Design methods are available to counter

Their application depends on environmental

Factors for selecting among the methods are

In this example, the seabed is prone to

Additionally, it is as sumed that the system will

be operated at high pressure (150 barg) and

A submarine pipeline between two offshore

The riser system may be subject to

If these movements are large, measures must

Following are the remedial measures usually

Using pipe for the riser system that

Applying extra concrete coating to a

In combination with these two

Installing the riser and a length of the

Dumping rock over a length of the

Tying-in the riser-pipeline with a

The technical feasibility of the methods should

The problems, solutions, and technical and

Expansion spool design

Stability and structural design of an expansion

Its wall thickness and steel quality

Its negative buoyancy should be

environmental forces during

The seabed below the expansion

If rock dumping is selected as an

Winds and waves, water depth, currents, and

For structural design, necessary parameters

Assessing the pipeline's axial movement

anchors by construction and other vessels,

For example, in the North Sea, trenching

Platform deflections (for 1 and 10-year return

Design procedures for expansion devices will

1. Assess the stability requirements for

If lowering the pipeline below the

Deciding whether the pipeline must lie

Fig. 1 [18312 bytes] shows a

For various pipe nominal diameters,

Because of the severe environmental

For the pipe sizes shown in Fig. 2

2. Depending upon the configuration of

Fig. 3 [25532 bytes] shows a

As shown in Fig. 3 [25532 bytes],

various curves have been drawn for a

strains. Therefore, for lower design

3. Investigate whether the calculated

The pipeline system, for example, must

In order to facilitate riser-pipeline tie in,

4. If the flexibility of the riser can absorb

If the platform area is prone to scouring,

5. If the axial movement of the pipeline

cannot absorb it, several available

Figs. 4-11 illustrate various options to

Installing doglegs or expansion

The feasibility of this option

Rock dumping (engineered

Fig. 4 [22029 bytes] shows the design

Depending on project requirements,

Fig. 5 [22907 bytes] illustrates the

reducing device. This design is based

As in Fig. 3 [25532 bytes], data shown

For submerged weights, reference is

Table 1 [27123 bytes] shows the expansion-