Safety Level on Different Offshore Pipeline Design Criteria: A Comparison Between DNV-OS-F101 and API RP-1111 Codes

Author(s):  
Luis D’Angelo ◽  
Hans M. Thorsen ◽  
Olav Fyrileiv ◽  
Leif Collberg ◽  
Sonia Furtado

Submarine pipelines are more often than before required to operate in harsh environments, especially for systems deployed in ultra-deep water. In order to minimize the installation tension due to the hanged section, they are installed empty and therefore the external pressure is often the prime load parameter for the design. New discoveries and associated technical challenges have generated important research and development endeavors in a wide range of disciplines in order to improve efficiency and reliability, but also keeping the risks associated with the new scenarios within an acceptable range. Some aspects that can be mentioned include, for instance, steel line grade improvements and manufacturing innovations of pipe products; more powerful lay vessels and development of new pipeline installation methods; determination of the mechanical behavior and the expected failure modes of concern for deep and long pipelines under combined loads; and the improved different design criteria like the DNV-OS-F101 (1) and API RP-1111 (2) codes. The intention of this paper is to review and compare three different pipeline design criteria well established in the oil and gas industry. The pipeline wall thickness design for pipe pressure containment (bursting), local buckling (system collapse) and propagating buckling for DNV-OS-F101 (1) and API RP-1111 (2) are discussed as well as the parameters used, definitions, safety philosophy and code limitations. A pipeline example is used to illustrate and compare the results.

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaohui Hong ◽  
Dengfeng Fu ◽  
Wenbin Liu ◽  
Zefeng Zhou ◽  
Yue Yan ◽  
...  

Subsea pipelines are commonly employed in the offshore oil and gas industry to transport high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) hydrocarbons. The phenomenon of pipeline walking is a topic that has drawn a great deal of attention, and is related to the on-bottom stability of the pipeline, such as directional accumulation with respect to axial movement, which can threaten the security of the entire pipeline system. An accurate assessment of pipeline walking is therefore necessary for offshore pipeline design. This paper reports a comprehensive suite of numerical analyses investigating the performance of pipeline walking, with a focus on the effect of increasing axial soil resistance on walking rates. Three walking-driven modes (steel catenary riser (SCR) tension, downslope, and thermal transient) are considered, covering a wide range of influential parameters. The variation in walking rate with respect to the effect of increased soil friction is well reflected in the development of the effective axial force (EAF) profile. A method based on the previous analytical solution is proposed for predicting the accumulated walking rates throughout the entire service life, where the concept of equivalent soil friction is adopted.


Author(s):  
Ana Paula França de Souza ◽  
Rafael F. Solano ◽  
Fabio B. de Azevedo ◽  
Erwan Karjadi ◽  
Caroline Ferraz

Nowadays, the global trend is an increasing need for oil and gas. As the easily recoverable fields have been already developed, the trend in the offshore oil and gas industry is going deeper into the more challenging outlook, such as outside West Africa, the Brazilian Pre-Salt developments and in the Gulf of Mexico. For ultra-deep waters the main design challenge is related to the high external pressure that may cause collapse of pipelines. This potential failure mode is normally dealt with by increasing the pipe wall thickness, but at ultra-deep waters this may require very thick pipe that becomes very costly, difficult to manufacture and hard to install due to its weight. Facing the challenges of the pipeline design for ultra-deep waters, the Collapse Joint Industry Project (JIP) was started to develop a guideline for wall thickness design optimization for offshore pipelines with external diameter to wall thickness ratio less than 20 (D/t < 20). As part of the JIP, nine buckle propagation tests were conducted on full scale seamless pipes. This paper describes these experiments and new conclusions that were raised in light of the test results.


2020 ◽  
pp. 42-45
Author(s):  
J.A. Kerimov ◽  

The implementation of plastic details in various constructions enables to reduce the prime cost and labor intensity of machine and device manufacturing, decrease the weight of design and improve their quality and reliability at the same time. The studies were carried out with the aim of labor productivity increase and substitution of colored and black metals with plastic masses. For this purpose, the details with certain characteristics were selected for further implementation of developed technological process in oil-gas industry. The paper investigates the impact of cylinder and compression mold temperature on the quality parameters (shrinkage and hardness) of plastic details in oil-field equipment. The accessible boundaries of quality indicators of the details operated in the equipment of exploration, drilling and exploitation of oil and gas industry are studied in a wide range of mode parameters. The mathematic dependences between quality parameters (shrinkage and hardness) of the details on casting temperature are specified.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nouf AlJabri ◽  
Nan Shi

Abstract Nanoemulsions (NEs) are kinetically stable emulsions with droplet size on the order of 100 nm. Many unique properties of NEs, such as stability and rheology, have attracted considerable attention in the oil industry. Here, we review applications and studies of NEs for major upstream operations, highlighting useful properties of NEs, synthesis to render these properties, and techniques to characterize them. We identify specific challenges associated with large-scale applications of NEs and directions for future studies. We first summarize useful and unique properties of NEs, mostly arising from the small droplet size. Then, we compare different methods to prepare NEs based on the magnitude of input energy, i.e., low-energy and high-energy methods. In addition, we review techniques to characterize properties of NEs, such as droplet size, volume fraction of the dispersed phase, and viscosity. Furthermore, we discuss specific applications of NEs in four areas of upstream operations, i.e., enhanced oil recovery, drilling/completion, flow assurance, and stimulation. Finally, we identify challenges to economically tailor NEs with desired properties for large-scale upstream applications and propose possible solutions to some of these challenges. NEs are kinetically stable due to their small droplet size (submicron to 100 nm). Within this size range, the rate of major destabilizing mechanisms, such as coalescence, flocculation, and Ostwald ripening, is considerably slowed down. In addition, small droplet size yields large surface-to-volume ratio, optical transparency, high diffusivity, and controllable rheology. Similar to applications in other fields (food industry, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc.), the oil and gas industry can also benefit from these useful properties of NEs. Proposed functions of NEs include delivering chemicals, conditioning wellbore/reservoir conditions, and improve chemical compatibility. Therefore, we envision NEs as a versatile technology that can be applied in a variety of upstream operations. Upstream operations often target a wide range of physical and chemical conditions and are operated at different time scales. More importantly, these operations typically consume a large amount of materials. These facts not only suggest efforts to rationally engineer properties of NEs in upstream applications, but also manifest the importance to economically optimize such efforts for large-scale operations. We summarize studies and applications of NEs in upstream operations in the oil and gas industry. We review useful properties of NEs that benefit upstream applications as well as techniques to synthesize and characterize NEs. More importantly, we identify challenges and opportunities in engineering NEs for large-scale operations in different upstream applications. This work not only focuses on scientific aspects of synthesizing NEs with desired properties but also emphasizes engineering and economic consideration that is important in the oil industry.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Olsen ◽  
Ragni Hatlebakk ◽  
Chris Holcroft ◽  
Arne Stavland ◽  
Nils Harald Giske ◽  
...  

Abstract Scope Controlled dissolution glasses form a permanent consolidating mineral matrix inside formations with either permeable or impermeable properties. The unique solution has a low injection viscosity and can be easily injected into a wide range of formations. The application method is simple and does not require multiple fluids or pre- and post-flushing. This paper focuses on the benefits of controlled dissolution glasses and potential applications in the oil and gas industry. Methods, Procedures, Process Controlled dissolution glasses have been researched extensively by Glass Technology Services (GTS) since 1999 for the biomedical industry, nuclear waste storage industry, and defense and aerospace industries. GTS together with operators have been performing research and development for the oil industry over the last 10 years. The research investigated different glass compositions to determine their injectability and change in formation properties post-treatment. Sandstone, chalk, and shale formations were used in the testing. Flow testing using a Hoek cell and a core flood apparatus was used to determine the post-treatment permeability. For post-treatment strength measurement, Brazilian tensile strength tests and modified cone penetration tests were used to determine tensile strength and shear strength respectively. The testing evaluated different mixing fluids, such as water and different brines, compatibility, corrosion testing, and concentrations. Results, Observations, Conclusions The testing identified different glass compositions and concentrations that are suitable for different applications and formations. Certain glass compositions increase tensile strength significantly while also maintaining the permeability in the formation. Other glass compositions have similar tensile strength increase, but result in an impermeable seal. The liquid glass solutions react with the formation to form a mineral precipitation inside the formation. The reaction with the formation occurs quickly at downhole conditions, within hours of placement. The glass can be mixed with water and variety of brines to form a stable solution across a range of densities. The testing and results to date have laid the foundation for use in a variety of consolidation and P&A applications in oil and gas wells. Testing is ongoing for a chalk and sandstone consolidation solution and for a sealing solution. Novel/Additive Information These novel glass solutions can solve many of the production and instability challenges that plague weak formations. The glasses can be injected into very low permeability formation to either seal or consolidate.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Asare ◽  
Bruce Burton ◽  
Theresa Dunne

PurposeThis study explores Ghanaian views about accountability discharge by firms and government in the context of the nation's newly discovered oil and gas resources. The research focusses on a range of issues relating to stakeholder interaction, communication flows and the impact of decision-making on Ghanaian lives, as perceived by individuals on the ground.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adapts elements of legitimacy theory to interpret the outcome of a series of semi-structured interviews with members of key accountee and accountor groups including citizens and representatives of the state and private firms in the oil and gas industry in Ghana.FindingsThe results indicate that rather than attempting to effect substantive accountability discharge, Ghana's government and oil and gas firms employ a wide range of legitimation strategies despite the apparently complete absence of the accountee power normally seen as driving the need for social contract repair.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings suggest that accountability discharge in Ghana is cursory at best, with several legitimising strategies in evidence. The representatives from state institutions appear to share some of the concerns, suggesting that the problems are entrenched and will require robust enforcement of a strengthened regulatory approach to effect meaningful change.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature on the discharge of institutional accountability by building on earlier conceptualisations of legitimacy theory to explore perceptions around a recent natural resource discovery. The analysis highlights grave concerns regarding the behaviour of state and corporate actors, one that runs counter to sub-Saharan African tradition.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 000536-000541
Author(s):  
Saeed Rafie ◽  
Youssef Boulaknadal

Abstract Electro-mechanical relays (EMRs) are widely used in variety of manufacturing industries including oil and gas. One of their applications in the oil and gas industry is in the design of downhole logging wireline and measurement-while-drilling/logging-while-drilling (MWD/LWD) instruments such as magnetic resonance instruments, formation testing instruments, cement bond tools, etc. EMRs are mainly electrically operated switches that multiplex high-powered circuits using a low-power signal. Typically, EMRs consist of one or two wire coils wrapped around magnetic cores, a movable armature, and a set of contact(s) that reside inside a sealed vacuum compartment. The structural durability and reliability of EMRs has been the subject of research for many years, and these characteristics are considered a prime reliability concerns in the oil and gas industry. Their poor reliability has been documented by their several inherent failure modes, e.g., limited life expectancy due to shock, vibration, temperature and moisture, thermal stresses caused by soldering, contact wear, contact bouncing, and contact arcing/welding. This paper presents results from a reliability study and an engineering assessment to determine the applicability and functionality of EMRs in electromagnetic-acoustic sensors. The discussion includes steps to improve and minimize the risk.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Neil Wilds

Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is a serious issue in the oil and gas industry, with failures often occurring without warning and having devastating effect. When expensive redesign is not possible or practical, operators have a number of options open to them to mitigate the risk of CUI; these include the use of various protective coatings or thermally sprayed metals. Despite a number of technologies presently available, the industry is yet to establish an accepted laboratory test method for the performance benchmarking of products. This has, in the past, damaged confidence in some solutions and hampered the selection and further development of CUI coatings. As a result, the subject of accelerated laboratory testing for CUI coatings is now receiving significant attention across the industry with joint industry programs proposed in both Europe and North America. This paper will examine state-of-the-art accelerated CUI testing, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of the existing methods available. It will then offer a detailed description of a test method that has been in use since 2004, testing more than 300 specimens and assessing a wide range of coating technologies. The reproducibility of the test program will be established by the presentation of a range of data including results obtained from a third-party test house. The third-party results will then be correlated with a seven-year case study from an end user perspective provided by Santos, a major Australian oil and gas exploration and production company, from experiences at their Port Bonython facility in SA.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moath Alrifaey ◽  
Tang Sai Hong ◽  
Eris Supeni ◽  
Azizan As’arry ◽  
Chun Ang

The oil and gas industry is looking for ways to accurately identify and prioritize the failure modes (FMs) of the equipment. Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is the most important tool used in the maintenance approach for the prevention of malfunctioning of the equipment. Current developments in the FMEA technique are mainly focused on addressing the drawbacks of the conventional risk priority number calculations, but the group effects and interrelationships of FMs on other measurements are neglected. In the present study, a hybrid distribution risk assessment framework was proposed to fill these gaps based on the combination of modified linguistic FMEA (LFMEA), Analytic Network Process (ANP), and Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) techniques. The hybrid framework of FMEA was conducted in a hazardous environment at a power generation unit in an oil and gas plant located in Yemen. The results show that mechanical and gas leakage FM in electrical generators posed a greater risk, which critically affects other FMs within the plant. It was observed that the suggested framework produced a precise ranking of FMs, with a clear relationship among FMs. Also, the comparisons of the proposed framework with previous studies demonstrated the multidisciplinary applications of the present framework.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1292-1326
Author(s):  
Feng Wan ◽  
Feng Guan ◽  
Chuanxi Zhou ◽  
Shaohu Liu ◽  
Ting Yang

Sandwich pipe, consisting of two steel tubes and a polymeric or cement-based material core layer, has been considered as an attractive solution for oil and gas transporting in deep water. In this paper, the characteristic responses and pressure capacity of sandwich pipes having fiber-reinforced cementitious composites core configuration under external hydrostatic pressure were investigated. The interface adhesion behavior between the fiber-reinforced cementitious composite core and the surrounding steel pipes was modeled based on the inter-layer shear strength test experiments conducted on the sandwich pipe specimens. The parametric studies were carried out to evaluate the influence of geometry parameters and steel grade on the buckling response and ultimate pressure capacity. Furthermore, 768 FE models of sandwich pipes covering a wide range of practical design configurations were rapidly constructed and analyzed using FE software package ABAQUS with the help of programming language Python. Finally, a simplified equation for predicting the pressure capacity of sandwich pipes within the scope of this study was proposed using dimensional analysis combined with singular value decomposition methodology.


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