Nonlinear Analysis of Bidirectional Vortex-Induced Vibration of A Deepwater Steep Wave Riser Subjected to Oblique Currents

Rigid spools are commonly used at the riser base of hybrid riser systems such as STTRs (Single Top Tensioned Risers) or BHORs (Bundle Hybrid Offset Risers) for the deep water oil fields. Rigid spools design is critical and governed by numerous operating constraints such as dynamic loadings (due to motion of the vertical riser, Vortex Induced Vibration, slugging, etc.), soil properties and soil/spools/structures interaction. Recent surveys on existing brown fields have highlighted unexpected issues on existing rigid spools. To solve these issues, an innovative flexible spool solution has been developed, combining unbonded flexible pipe structures in a “steep wave” configuration to accommodate the riser motions and FLET (Flowline End Termination) excursions avoiding soil deterioration and preventing unexpected spool behavior which could ultimately jeopardize its integrity. A steep wave configuration solution can be introduced with distributed buoyancy over the flexible spools length. This design allows a direct connection between the riser base assembly and the flowline termination, solving the embedment issue and easing accommodation of the hybrid riser motions. This paper describes the recent issues with rigid spools design and describes the solutions developed with flexible spool configurations to provide a more reliable riser base spools system for green fields.

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Steel Steep Wave Riser as an Alternative Configuration for FPSO’s Compliant Risers

Volume 5B: Pipeline and Riser Technology ◽

10.1115/omae2015-41098 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Paulo S. D. Pereira ◽

Marcio M. Mourelle ◽

Ludimar L. de Aguiar

Keyword(s):

Fixed Point ◽

Extreme Events ◽

Final Choice ◽

Vortex Induced Vibration ◽

Sea Bottom ◽

Alternative Configuration ◽

Steep Wave

The work was focused in the chase for alternative configurations that could resist to the high FPSO motions in the Brasil’s Pre-Salt harsh wave environment, and that could also be less compliant laterally when compared to the SLWR solution. A case study was taken where an infield 8 inch SLWR configuration has been taken for comparisons. After adjusting the SSWR (Steel Steep Wave Riser) main characteristics such as top angle, buoyant section length, buoyancy modules geometry and spacing, feasible configurations have been obtained. For a configuration to be considered as feasible, a set of verifications have been carried out including extreme events, wave fatigue, vortex induced vibration and installation. The verification was performed considering several riser top connection positions and azimuths along the FPSO riser support balcony. The interference with neighboring risers has been also taken as an important issue, but was taken solely for comparison with the SLWR configurations. The installation phase has been focused including the stages of bottom connection, normal pipe lay and the connection at the FPSO. The main problems associated to the installation phase of the steep wave configuration were identified and addressed in the discussion presented. As the SSWR configuration has a fixed point at the sea bottom, two different solutions for this connection have been studied, and the final choice is described. The main differences between SSWRs and SLWRs, and the possible advantages of the SSWR configuration are discussed and a direct comparison is presented.

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