A Glance Through

from Conceptual Design to Detail Engineering

in
Submarine Pipeline Projects
Prepared by :
Hadi Tahmasbi Ashtiani
Lead Offshore Structural Engineer, Pars Oil & Gas Company
MSc., Structural Engineering, University of Tehran
MBA, Construction Management, The Petroleum University of Technology
PMP certified by Project Management Institute (PMI)

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Content :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.

Introduction & Overview

Relevant Codes & Standards
Different Phases in a Submarine Pipeline Project
DNV Standard (Limit State Design Methodology)
Route Selection Study
Flow Assurance Study
Material & Grade Selection
Pipe Manufacturing
Pipe Anti-corrosion Coating & CP Design
Wall Thickness Calculation
Local Buckling Criteria - Combined Loading
Fracture Criteria
On-bottom Stability of Pipeline
Pipeline Installation Studies
Shore Approach Design
Free Span Analysis
Riser Design Rigid Pipeline
Pipeline Global Buckling (Lateral & Upheaval)
New Technologies in Submarine Pipeline Industries
Verification & Certification Services
Cause Study of Pipeline Incidents (PARLOC)
Description of SPM System
Applicable Software Programs in Pipeline Design
References

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1. Introduction & Overview Historical Perspective

Pipelines are generally the most economical way to transport large
quantities of oil, refined oil products or natural gas with competitive
advantages such as safer mode of transportation & higher reliability.
Oil was transported by wooden barrels until
1870s. As the volume was increased, the
product was transported by tank cars or trains
and eventually by pipelines.
1 barrel (US, Petroleum) ~ 159 litter
The first onshore pipeline was built in the United States in 1859 to
transport crude oil from an oil field in Pennsylvania to a railroad station.
(2 inch in size, 9.7 km in length)
The first offshore pipeline (PLUTO) was built in Europe in 1944 between
England and France as alternative to oil tankers. (Prototype tested on 1942)
(3 inch in size, 130 km in length)

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1. Introduction & Overview Today Achievements

Total Length of pipelines (gas, oil & petroleum products) up to 2010 was
estimated about 2 millions km. About 50 times of the earth's circumference.
About 10 percent of total pipeline are submarine pipelines.

1-USA about 800,000 km

2-Russia about 250,000 km
3-China about 75,000 km

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1. Introduction & Overview Today Achievements

Generally the most deepwater flow lines carry very high pressure and high
temperature (HP/HT) fluid.
The deepest pipeline installed is 2,775 m water depth in 2007.

By the year 2005, Statoils Kristin Field in Norway holds the HP/HT record
of 911 bar and 167oC in 330m of water.
Blue Stream submarine pipeline:
Natural gas
Between Russia & Turkey
1550 MMSCFD
Maximum WD : 2150 m
2 @ OD 24 & thickness 31.8 mm
In length of 396km x 2
250 bar & X65
Commissioned on 2005
About 1.7 billion USD (2.15 MUSD/km)

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Onshore : 48 & 56 Offshore : 2 x 24

1. Introduction & Overview Today Achievements

Langeled submarine pipeline:
Natural gas
Between Norway & UK
2500 MMSCFD
Maximum WD : 385 m
OD 42 (29.1/33.3/34.1 mm) & OD 44
In length of 1166 km
250 bar & X70
Commissioned on 2007
About 3 billion USD (2.5 MUSD/km)

(23.3/24 mm)

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Nord Stream submarine pipeline:

Natural gas
Between Russia & Germany
5300 MMSCFD
Maximum WD : 210 m
2 @ OD 48 (26.8 to 41 mm)
In length of 2 x 1220 km
220 bar & X70
Commissioned on 2012
Marine Pipeline Engineering

1. Introduction & Overview

Offshore pipelines can be classified as follow:

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2. Relevant Codes & Standards

Three disciplines mainly involve in field of offshore pipeline engineering:
1- Thermo-Hydraulics
Multiphase flow assurance study & line sizing

Offshore
Pipeline
Eng.

3- Mechanics
Structural mechanics
Hydrodynamic mechanics
Soil mechanics

2- Material Science
Material selection & corrosion study

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2. Relevant Codes & Standards

1- Flow assurance study & line sizing

API RP 14E (ISO 13703 ): Recommended practice for design and

installation of offshore production platform piping systems

2- Material Science

API Spec 5L (ISO 3183) : Petroleum and natural gas industries, Steel
pipe for pipeline transportation systems
NACE MR0175 (ISO 15156) : Petroleum and natural gas industries,
materials for use in H2S-containing environments in oil and gas production
DNV-RP-F106 : Factory applied external pipeline coatings for corrosion
control
DNV-RP-F103 : Cathodic protection of submarine pipelines by galvanic
anodes

3- Structural /Hydrodynamic /Soil mechanics

Large number of standards, e.g.:

ASME B31.4, ASME B31.8, BS 8010, EN 14161, ISO 13623,
API RP-1111, API RP-2SK, DNV OS-F101, DNV RP-F105,
DNV RP-F109, DNV RP-F110, DNV RP-C203, DNV-OSS-301,
0029/ND, 0032/ND, etc.
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2. Relevant Codes & Standards

Following table gives a comparison between different pipeline codes and
standards with respect to mechanical design of pipeline:

ASD: Allowable Strength Design

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RBD: Reliability Based Design

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LSD: Limit State Design

3. Different Phases in a Submarine Pipeline Project

Concept

Feasibility Study
Business Development

Design

Basic Design
Detail Design

Construction

Operation

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Commissioning & Startup

Integrity Management
Inspection & Repair
Re-qualification
Abandonment

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Line Pipe
Component & Assemblies
Corrosion Protection & Weight Coating
Pre-intervention
Installation
Post-intervention
Pre-commissioning

3. Different Phases in a Submarine Pipeline Project

Conceptual Engineering

Feasibility study :
Technical e.g. identifying potential routes, reviewing of new
technologies & recourses
Economical e.g. cost/benefit studies, IRR analysis, sensitivity
analysis (studying of factors could have positive/negative effects
on profitability), etc.
Political, legal ,etc. (e.g. territorial waters is extended up to 12
nautical miles from shore line)
Risk analysis e.g. identifying of high level risks & prepare risk
response plan
Prepare rough schedule and cost estimate (-25% to +75%)
Reviewing of all existing alternatives in all aspects and eventually
enter into go/no-go decision process & project selection.

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3. Different Phases in a Submarine Pipeline Project

Basic Engineering

Meteorological and Oceanographic survey

Geophysical survey (bathymetry, faults, etc.)
Geotechnical survey (soil engineering parameters)
Environmental Baseline Study & Environmental Impact Assessment
Prepare design basis and design procedure (select the applicable Code)
Route selection study
Flow assurance study:
line sizing, pressure profile, temperature profile, etc.
Hazard Identification & operability study (HAZOP & HAZID study)
Material/grade selection & wall thickness calculation
Construction specification & methodology
Procurement engineering of long lead items (LLIs)
Prepare a more precise time schedule/cost estimation (-5% to +10%)
Tendering strategy & preparing tendering documentation (e.g. EPC)
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3. Different Phases in a Submarine Pipeline Project

Meteorological and Oceanographic survey
Metocean (METeorological-OCEANographic) survey consists of
collecting of wind, waves, current, tide and other oceanographic &
meteorological parameters in order to characterize the engineering
parameters required for pipeline design.
For example:
Wave height & relevant wave period with 1,10,100 years return
period in eight directions.
Current speed profile with 1,10,100 years return period in eight
directions.
Wind speed with 1,10,100 years return period in eight directions.
Tide level (astronomical, storm surge, etc.)
Wave scatter diagram
Temperature profile of seawater
Salinity and seawater resistivity

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3. Different Phases in a Submarine Pipeline Project

Geophysical survey
The geophysical route survey objectives were as follows:
Select a coordinate system (e.g. world geodetic system, WGS84)
Bathymetry : obtain accurate water depths along the pipeline
route with a reasonable survey corridor width (e.g. 1000 m)
Identify and locate any existing subsea installations (e.g. pipeline,
cable), features, debris or obstructions.
Obtain information about the shallow sub-seabed morphology and
lithology and give a brief description of soil in seabed surface
using drop core along the route
Study of active earthquake faults in area & evaluation of related
design parameters

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3. Different Phases in a Submarine Pipeline Project

Geotechnical survey
The geotechnical survey will typically encompass the following:
Coring and sampling for material identification, description and
subsequent laboratory testing. (UU triaxial compression test)
In situ testing for accurate stratification and determination of
key geotechnical parameters. (CPT )
The main objectives of geotechnical survey is to determine the soil
engineering parameters required for pipeline design. For example:
Undrained shear strength for cohesive soil, i.e. clay
Angle of friction for cohesionless soil, i.e. sand
Soil density, water content, liquid and plastic limit, grain size
distribution, carbonate content, soil classifications, etc.

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3. Different Phases in a Submarine Pipeline Project

Detail Engineering

Review and verifying of basic engineering (Endorsement)

Route optimization and finalization (alignment sheets)
Metallurgy & welding study
Pipe coating selection & pipeline cathodic protection study
Pipeline on-bottom stability analysis (weight coating)
Free span analysis (VIV damage analysis)
Pipeline end expansion analysis (Tie-in spool design)
Pipeline global buckling analysis (lateral or upheaval)
Riser analysis
Shore approach analysis (Trenching/backfilling, vertical profile)
Pipeline crossing analysis (e.g. rock dumping, steel/concrete supports)
Pipeline installation study (e.g. lay-ability)
Material specifications, data sheets & MTOs
Construction spec. (Coating, Installation, Pre-comm., Comm., etc.)
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4. DNV Standard (Limit State Design Methodology)

Maximum application extent of DNV OS-F101 :

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4. DNV Standard (Limit State Design Methodology)

Categorization of fluids :
Fluids to be transported by the pipeline system shall be categorized according
to their hazard potential as given bellow :

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4. DNV Standard (Limit State Design Methodology)

Applicable for offshore section :

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4. DNV Standard (Limit State Design Methodology)

Applicable for onshore section :

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4. DNV Standard (Limit State Design Methodology)

The design format is based on partial safety factors methodology,
also called Load and Resistance Factor Design format (LRFD).
The load and resistance factors will be defined based on limit state
& safety class of pipeline in each design case.
Limit State Categorizations :
Serviceability Limit State (SLS):
A condition which, if exceeded, renders the pipeline unsuitable
for normal operations.
Ultimate Limit State (ULS):
A condition which, if exceeded, compromises the integrity of
the pipeline.
Fatigue Limit State (FLS):
An ULS condition accounting for accumulated cyclic load
effects.
Accidental Limit State (ALS):
An ULS due to accidental (in-frequent) loads.

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4. DNV Standard (Limit State Design Methodology)

Example of partial safety factors applied for loading :

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4. DNV Standard (Limit State Design Methodology)

Example of partial safety factors applied for resistance :

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5. Route Selection Study

Minimize the pipeline distance from initiation to termination; economically
the shortest route possible is the most advantageous.

Avoid wherever possible restricted offshore areas such as anchorages,

shipping lanes, military reservations, etc.
Follow a smooth seabed profile; avoiding, wherever possible, coral growths,
rock outcrops, soft or liquefiable soils, unstable seabed area (sand ripples)
and other seabed obstacles.
Avoid pipeline/cable crossings. Where this is not possible, crossings should
be as perpendicular as commercially possible.

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5. Route Selection Study

Example of route selection in Georgia Strait (Canada)

Cutting

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5. Route Selection Study

Embankment

Bridge

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5. Route Selection Study

Flexible spool connected by flanges

Welded spool connected (Hyperbaric welding)

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5. Route Selection Study

More thorough survey showed later that in fact there is a pass
across the ridge a broad curving valley (Valdes Gap) with plenty
of space for two pipelines.
The shortest route is not necessarily the best route.

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6. Flow Assurance Study

Flow assurance is required to determine the optimum size (ID) based on
required flow rate and pressure & considering erosion velocity limitation.

The pressure drop will drastically increase with decreasing the pipe size.
If the pipeline is to transport a sour fluid containing H2S, CO2, etc.,
corrosion inhibitors should be applied or a special corrosion resistant
alloy (CRA) pipe material should be used and/or a corrosion allowance
can be added to the required pipe wall thickness.
Pigging requirements in order to wax/condensate buildups removal.
Mitigation or Prevention Strategies for deposition and line plugging
due to hydrate, wax, asphaltene & scale to be reviewed and selected.

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7. Material & Grade Selection

Materials & Grade Requirements for Pipeline :
Strength: The ability to withstand an applied stress without failure.
Ductility: is a solid material's ability to deform under tensile stress.

Toughness: The ability of a material to absorb energy and plastically

deform without fracturing.
Weld-ability: As the equivalent carbon content rises, the weld-ability
of the alloy decreases. (Set limitations on CE & Pcm)
Corrosion Resistance

Existence of H2S & CO2 (pH, pressure & ppm)

Resistance to Cracking
Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC)
Hydrogen Induced Stress Cracking (HISC)
Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)

Operating Temperature
Tests (tensile, hardness, CVN impact,
guided bend, etc.)

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7. Material & Grade Selection

C-Mn Steel
Sour Service

C-Mn Steel
Sweet Service

Chemical composition recommended by TOTAL (% weight, maximum)

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7. Material & Grade Selection

Materials of Construction :
Carbon Manganese steel

Carbon Manganese steel + Corrosion Allowance

Carbon Manganese steel + CA + Corrosion Inhibitor
Corrosion Resistant Alloys (CRAs)
Inconel alloy (625, 825, etc.) Nickel base
Weld-able high Chromium steel
Standard duplex stainless steel (22% Cr)
Super duplex stainless steel (25% Cr)
Martensitic stainless steel (13% Cr-2Mo & 13% Cr-2.5Mo)
Internally clad C-Mn steel (more applicable for OD>18)
Flexible pipe

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7. Material & Grade Selection

Typical Materials Cost Comparisons :

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7. Material & Grade Selection

Flexible Pipeline :

Flexibility & superior dynamic behavior for risers: A typical 8'' internal
diameter can safely be bent to a radius of 2m or less. (10D)
High Speed laying : Because it comes in a continuous length spooling on a reel,
laying speed commonly averages 500m per hour. (12 km/day)
Modularity : The independent layers of a flexible structure enable it to be
tailored to the precise needs of a specific development.
Water depth up to 3000m, Temperature up to 170oC , Pressure up to 460 bar
for 10 ID. (Based on Technips presentation)

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8. Pipe Manufacturing
Manufacturing Process :
Seamless, UO, UOE, TRB, ERW, Spiral/Helical

U Forming

O Forming

Expansion

For manufacturing processes which introduce cold deformations, a fabrication factor

to be applied to compensate the weakening of pipe against external pressure.
The fabrication factor may be increased through heat treatment or external cold sizing.

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8. Pipe Manufacturing
Example of One Mills Pipe Production Range

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9. Pipe Anti-corrosion Coating & CP Design

Pipeline external corrosion protection is based on combination of anti-corrosion
coating and cathodic protection system.
Different types of anti-corrosion coating applicable for offshore pipeline:
3-layer polypropylene (PP)
Max. temperature : 140oC
3-layer polyethylene (PE)
Max. temperature : 110oC
Hot enamel coating + CWC
Max. temperature : 90oC
Polychloropene (Neoprene)
Max. temperature : 90oC
Dual layer Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) Max. temperature : 90oC
The two main methods of cathodic protection system are :
Sacrificial anodes (Aluminum anode & Zinc anode)
Impressed current systems (less practical for offshore pipeline)
Pipeline anti corrosion coatings are the first barriers of defense against
corrosion, however, due to probable damages could be made on coatings
(coating breakdown), CP System shall be applied in parallel.

Maximum anode distance of 300 m is advised for pipeline CP design.

CP design should be done as per formulation and methodology defined in :
DNV-RP-F103 (Cathodic Protection of Submarine Pipelines by Galvanic Anodes)

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10. Wall Thickness Calculation

Stresses Due to Internal Pressure

For thin wall pipe (D/t>20)

Hoop Stress
Longitudinal Stress

t1= t-tfab-tcor

Comparison between different

standards (fluid : gas)

DNV-OS-F101 (Oct 2013)

(Submarine Pipeline System)

DNV &
ISO

ASME
(B31.8)

API
1111

LC 1

0.77

0.72

0.72

LC 2

0.67

0.5

0.6

= 0.96 for pressure test

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10. Wall Thickness Calculation

Local buckling external over pressure only

Example : OD 32, t=20.6mm, Grade X65, UOE, LC1

t1= t-tfab-tcor

fo =0.1% : Pc= 93.3 bar

fo =0.5% : Pc= 84.9 bar , Pe = 71 bar
fo =1% : Pc= 76.9 bar

Ovality

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10. Wall Thickness Calculation

Propagation buckling
Buckle
Arrestor

Propagation buckling cannot be initiated and then propagated unless local

buckling has occurred.
Propagation buckling pressure (Ppr) is always less than collapse pressure (Pc)
Example : Grade X65, D/t=40, LC1, Calm sea

t2= t-tcor

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Seamless

UO,TRB

UOE

Allowable
W.D.

125 m

116 m

106 m

Buckle arrestors should be applied if

pipeline to be installed in water depth
more than above.
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Pipe

Load Controlled
Condition

Internal Overpressure

External Overpressure
t2= t-tcor

Displacement Controlled
Condition

DNV-OS-F101 (Oct 2013)

11. Local Buckling Criteria - Combined Loading

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Internal Overpressure

External Overpressure
t2= t-tcor

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Strain concentration factor

shall be considered.

11. Local Buckling Criteria - Combined Loading

LCC - Combined Loading Calculation based on DNV-OS-F101 (2013)
An example :

OD=32 inch, Thickness=20.6mm, X65, Gas, Location 1, UOE

Pb=258.3 bar, Pc=84.9 bar, Mp=567 ton-m, Sp=2248.4 ton

Internal Pressure, Operation Case

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External Pressure, Pre Operation Case

11. Local Buckling Criteria - Combined Loading

DCC - Combined Loading Calculation based on DNV-OS-F101 (2013)
An example :

OD=32 inch, Thickness=20.6mm, X65, Gas, Location 1, UOE

Pb=258.3 bar, Pc=84.9 bar
Internal Pressure, Operation Case

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External Pressure, Pre Operation Case

11. Local Buckling Criteria - Combined Loading

Moment

SF for LCC

Safety factor for DCC

Strain (or Curvature)

Bending + Internal Pressure

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Bending + External Pressure

12. Fracture Criteria

(Strain concentration factor shall be considered)

Appendix A (Fracture Limit State of Girth Weld)

The purpose of the fracture limit state evaluation of girth welds in pipelines is to avoid
failure (fracture, tearing and fatigue crack growth) during the installation and operation
stages by determining the criticality of possible weld flaws.
Supplementary requirement (P)
Additional tests during the steel production and pipe manufacturing to be performed.
Sufficient capacity in elongation of steel before failure and strain-hardening (YS/TS) shall
be assured.

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13. On-bottom Stability of Pipeline

Submarine On-bottom stability refers to the resistance of a submarine
pipeline to movement on the seabed under extreme environmental
conditions.
The effective way to stabilize the submarine pipeline on the seabed is to
apply the weight coating mostly from high density concrete
produced from iron ore.

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13. On-bottom Stability of Pipeline

Bare submarine Pipelines with D/t over 31 will float in seawater water.

Flowline in deep water might be stable on seabed with no requirement

of weight coating .
The following methods can be adopted to keep the pipeline stable on the
sea floor:

Concrete weight coating

Trenching (Specially in shore approach area and shallow waters)
Burial
Covering (e.g. rock dumping, concrete mattress, etc.)

Design criteria and guidance for calculation of required thickness of CWC

and density of concrete with considering the wave and current loading,
load reduction due to trenching and pipe embedment in seabed
are well defined in:
DNV-RP-F109
(On-Bottom Stability Design of Submarine Pipelines)

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Bottom Tow

Off-bottom Tow

Mid-depth Tow

Surface Tow

14. Pipeline Installation Studies

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14. Pipeline Installation Studies

Overbend Area:
Creation I : Static Loading
Creation II : Dynamic Loading & SNCF

Sagbend Area:
Dynamic Loading & SNCF may be ignored.

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14. Pipeline Installation Studies

Example of Pipe Stress Analysis Results

Stress Strain Curve for X65 material

fy (Yield Stress)
87% fy

At sagbend area the pipe is hard to control, so more stringent stress criteria
(lower stress limit) is applied.

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14. Pipeline Installation Studies

Maximum Water Depth (m)

Pipeline Diameter (inches)

Limitation

The installation vessel's limitation such as tensioner capacity, stinger

geometry, etc. should be checked in pipeline install-ability evaluation.
Tensioner range : from 70 ton to 1050 ton (Solitaire)

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15. Shore Approach Design

The effects of wave and current forces in shallow water is more
dominate than in deep water.
In shore approach area, it is recommended that pipeline to be buried
same as onshore pipeline.
For example, according to MMS regulations applicable on USA
coastal areas (water depth less than 60m):
If OD<8 inch pipeline to be buried to a depth of minimum 1m cover
If the pipeline leakage may have serious hazard to others, all
pipelines (regardless of pipe size) must be buried.

Pipeline stress analysis to be done to calculate the allowable vertical

curvature of pipeline in shore approach area.
R=1000.D is equal to about 0.05% strain or 1000 kg/cm2 stress in pipeline.

Pipeline exposed on seabed

Pipeline in trenching area

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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16. Free Span Analysis

1-Local buckling criteria combined loading (Load Controlled Condition)
2-Fracture criteria
Loading includes wave, current, self weight, thermal expansion, internal
overpressure, external overpressure, pipeline curvature , residual tension, etc.
Dynamic stress due to VIV (cross flow & inline flow) to be added to above,
according to formulation and methodology defined in :
DNV-RP-F105
Recommended practice for free spanning pipelines (Feb 2006)

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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16. Free Span Analysis

3-Fatigue Limit State (DNV-RP-F105)
The submarine pipeline system shall have adequate safety against fatigue failures
within different phases of the design life of the system.
Typical causes of stress fluctuations in a pipeline system are:
Direct wave action (mainly for risers)
Vibrations of the pipeline system due to VIV (mainly for pipeline in seabed)
Movements of installation vessel during laying (installation phase)
Fluctuations in operating pressure and temperature (shutdown/startup)

A common split for fatigue capacity in the different phases is as below:

Installation : 10%
As-laid (flooded, hydro-test ) : 10%
Operation : 80%

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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17. Riser Design Rigid Pipeline

Major Loading :
1- Wave & Current
2- Thermal expansion

3- Internal Pressure
4- External pressure
5- Jacket movement
6- Self weight
7- Soil-pipe interaction

Major Criteria to be checked :

1- Local buckling criteria
(Combined Loading, LCC)

2- Fracture criteria
3- Fatigue Limit State

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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(12 -14 Jan 2014 - Tehran)

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18. Pipeline Global Buckling (Lateral & Upheaval)

Effective axial force of a totally restrained pipe in the linear elastic stress
range is:

For example:
OD 32, t 20.6 mm, MOP 120 bar,
temperature increase : 50oC
Temperature share = 72%
Pressure share = 28%

Identifying the susceptibility to buckling:

Effective axial force in pipeline route
Susceptible to buckling

(OETRC)

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Minimum force to initiate buckling :

(Based on Hobbs formula)

18. Pipeline Global Buckling (Lateral & Upheaval)

Side-scan Sonar Image of a Lateral Buckled Pipeline (Offshore)

Upheaval Buckling of Gas Injection Pipelines (Onshore)

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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18. Pipeline Global Buckling (Lateral & Upheaval)

Design methodology & criteria has been comprehensively described in :
DNV-RP-F110
Global Buckling of Submarine Pipelines Structural Design
due to HT/HP
SAFEBUCK (Safe Design of Pipelines with Lateral Buckling Design
Guideline) is another reference which has been developed in frame of
JIP (Joint Industries Program)
Design concept in both guidelines (DNV & Safebuck) is as below :
1. Identifying the susceptibility to buckling
2. Ensure the pipeline keep in place and not buckle or,
3. Allow and facilitate the pipeline to buckle in a controlled manner.

Local buckling criteria, fracture criteria and fatigue Limit state shall be
satisfied.
Increase in thickness as a solution for global buckling phenomena
could not be effectively helpful because it increases the effective
axial force due to thermal expansion as well.

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

Short Course
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18. Pipeline Global Buckling (Lateral & Upheaval)

In order to control or mitigate the global buckling problems, such
methods can be adopted as follows:

Snake lay
Buckle initiators (sleepers, buoyancies, etc.)
Buckle arrestors (Rock dumping, burial, anchor, etc.)
Expansion loop

Typical Snake Lay Configuration

(exaggerated vertical scale)

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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Typical Vertical Sleeper Arrangement

19. New Technologies in Submarine Pipeline Industries

Submarine pipeline is a live industry with rapidly changing in technological
advances, so keeping updated on the latest is essential. As instance, some items
are presented here:
New Built or Upgraded of Lay-barge:
Solitaire modifications as below made in 2005 to meet the requirements of
the ever-deeper water pipe laying :

Increase the stinger length and strength from a three-section (110m)

to a four-section (140m)
Double the tension capacity from 525 tons to 1050 tons.
Upgrade the A&R system capacity from 400 tons to 1050 tons.

In 2007 she set the world record for pipeline installation at a depth of 2,775 m

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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(12 -14 Jan 2014 - Tehran)

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19. New Technologies in Submarine Pipeline Industries

Technological Solution for Ultra- High Strength Pipeline
Applying C-Mn steel with grade up to of X70 for sour services (Europipe)
Applying C-Mn steel with grade up to X120 for sweet services (Europipe)
Advanced Connection Technologies
Zap-Lok connection utilizes high-strength mechanical interference
connections to provide a safe and reliable pipeline connection as well as a
fast and low-cost method for constructing steel pipelines in sizing between
2 to 12.

INSTALLATION PRESS

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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(12 -14 Jan 2014 - Tehran)

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19. New Technologies in Submarine Pipeline Industries

Advanced Connection Technologies
With Smart Flange connector subsea pipeline repairs are easier and take
less time without the need for hyperbaric welding and can be installed in
diverless applications and for variety of from 2 inch up to 24 inch.

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

Short Course
(12 -14 Jan 2014 - Tehran)

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19. New Technologies in Submarine Pipeline Industries

New Concept to Deal with Pipeline Expansion
SliPIPE works to reduce the end force
expansion exerted at the tie-in point
due HT/HP effects by absorbing the
end expansion through sliding within
itself and simultaneously reducing or
eliminating the effective axial
compressive force in the pipeline.

There are many similar examples of innovations,

advancements and changes in pipeline industries. So we
should keep ourselves updated on the latest continuously.

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

Short Course
(12 -14 Jan 2014 - Tehran)

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20. Verification & Certification Services

Based on DNV-OSS-301 ( Certification and Verification of Pipelines):
Verification is used where DNVs scope applies to the verification of only a single (or
more) phase of the project, for example, verification of the design but not of
construction, installation or testing. Verification results in the issue of a DNV
statement of compliance.
Certification is used only where DNVs scope covers the integrity of the entire
pipeline system and results in the issue of a DNV pipeline certificate.

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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20. Verification & Certification Services

GL merged with Noble Denton in 2010.

DNV and GL have merged to form DNV GL Group in Sep 2013.

(OETRC)

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21. Cause Study of Pipeline Incidents (PARLOC)

PARLOC is a report describes studies performed regarding loss of containment
from offshore pipelines operated in the North Sea.
23%
Total database : ~ 24,800 km & ~ 328,800 km-years operating life
51%
38.7%
62.6%

26%
61.3%

73%

17.4% : anchor, impact, corrosion,

material, natural hazard, etc.

62.2%
37.4%

82.6% : leakage in flange, seal,

valves, etc.
37.8%

27%

52.2%

< 9

47.8%

> 9

Damaged Categorized
By Diameter Range

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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67

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22. Description of SPM System

Single Point Mooring (SPM ) is used for loading\unloading of tankers, providing a
weathervane mooring in open sea conditions.

(OETRC)

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22. Description of SPM System

VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier)
Length = 350 m
Beam= 55 m
Draft = 28 m

Tanker Maneuvering Area

CALM
System

Anchor Piles
Submarine
Hoses

PLEM

(OETRC)

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22. Description of SPM System

RP
FP

RP

FP

Turntable Buoy Type

Turret Buoy Type

Three-race roller type

Main Bearing provides the mechanical connection

between the fixed and the rotating parts

(OETRC)

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Product Swivel provides the fluid transfer

between the fixed and the rotating parts

23. Applicable Software Programs in Pipeline Design

Engineering Software

Application

Mathcad,
Microsoft Excel

Spread sheet for mathematical calculation

Sesam Pipeline (FatFree,

StableLines, etc)
AGA/PRCI , etc.

Engineering tools & in-house softwares for

general calculation

AutoCad
SAGE Profile

Route Selection study

Preparation of project drawings

OLGA
PIPESIM

Pipeline flow assurance analysis

ABAQUS
ANSYS
SAGE Profile

Pipeline nonlinear (both geometric & material)

stress analysis

OFFPIPE
SAGE Profile
OrcaLay
OrcaFlex

Pipeline installation stress analysis

Dynamic motion analysis of floating body
subject to environmental loads.

AutoPIPE
CAESAR II

Riser Stress analysis (Rigid pipeline)

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

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24. References
Subsea Pipeline Engineering (2nd Edition), by Andrew C. Palmer, Roger A. King
Offshore Pipelines: Design, Instillation and Maintenance, by Shanhong Song, Ali
Ghalambor, Jacob Chacko, Boyun Guo

Mechanics of Offshore Pipelines: Volume 1 Buckling and Collapse, by Stelios

Kyriakides, Edmundo Corona
Design and Installation of Marine Pipelines, by Mikael Braestrup, Jan B. Andersen,
Lars Wahl Andersen, Mads B. Bryndum, Niels-J Rishj Nielsen

Subsea Pipelines and Risers, by Yong Bai, Qiang Bai

Introduction to Offshore Pipelines and Risers, by Jaeyoung Lee, P.E.
SAFEBUCK JIP: Safe Design of Pipelines with Lateral Buckling Design Guideline, by
Malcolm Carr
DNV Rules & standards
PARLOC 2001: The Update of Loss of Containment Data for Offshore Pipelines, by
Mott MacDonald Ltd.
Free access websites related to engineering of submarine pipeline & SPM.

(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

Short Course
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Tahmasbi

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(OETRC)

Marine Pipeline Engineering

Short Course
(12 -14 Jan 2014 - Tehran)

73

Tahmasbi

INIOAS