scholarly journals Feasibility Study of Selected Riser Concepts in Deep Water and Harsh Environment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilang Muhammad Gemilang ◽  
Daniel Karunakaran
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Time History ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Harsh Environment ◽  
Steel Catenary Riser ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Large Motion ◽  
Touchdown Point ◽  
Heave Motion ◽  
Vessel Motion

One of the well-known riser systems, the Steel Catenary Riser (SCR), has been an attractive choice for the riser system in deep water. However, the main challenge of the SCR is large motions from the host platforms due to the harsh environment. The large motion of host platforms may induce excessive buckling and fatigue at the touchdown point. By screening the downward velocities at the hang-off point in the time history graph, the time at which the critical responses (i.e. buckling utilization, bending moment and compression) peak is identified. This study investigates the feasibility of the SCR configuration in terms of the capability to cope with the vessel motion. Several types of the SCR configurations are proposed in this study. The selected configurations of SCR in this study are conventional SCR, Weight Distributed SCR (WDSCR), and Steel Lazy Wave Riser (SLWR). The feasibility of the three riser configurations was analyzed in terms of strength and fatigue performance to understand the limitation of one over the other. The “lazy wave” configuration efficiently absorbs the vessel heave motions. Thereby the SLWR configuration is proven to be the most robust configuration to cope with large motion of the host platform. This study proves that although the SCR feasibility is limited due to vessel heave motion, innovative solutions can be established to extend its feasibility in order to cope with the vessel heave motion in harsh environment.

Riser Deployment and Hang-Off Analysis for a Harsh Environment, Deepwater Site

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enda O’Sullivan ◽  
James N. Brekke ◽  
Michel Dib
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Harsh Environment ◽  
Careful Attention ◽  
High Current ◽  
Retrieval Process ◽  
Heave Motion

In planning for a deepwater well, running/retrieval of a drilling riser in advance of rapidly developing seas was identified as a critical operation. The harsh seastates required careful attention to the well-specific operating criteria, (WSOC), or the metocean conditions that limit specific operations. Certain conditions would warrant the operation being shut down so that the riser could be pulled or run before conditions became excessive. In deep water, a running/retrieval operation can take several days and the consequences of being shut down part way can be severe. Moderately high current profiles can cause the riser to bind in the diverter housing, preventing further running or retrieval. If binding occurs, a dynamically-positioned vessel can carry out “drift running” operations to increase its operability. However, if conditions prohibit further running/retrieval, the riser may need to be hung off “hard” (with no compensation) at the drill floor or “soft” on the tensioners and/or drill string compensator. In such a case, in addition to large top riser angles, vessel heave motion can cause tension variation, depending on the hang-off conditions and the length of the deployed riser. This paper discusses how riser analysis was used to support the operational understanding of the riser running/retrieval process for this deepwater well. The results were used to assist in the planning and decision-making involved in drilling this well.

Finite Element Analysis of Seafloor-SCR Interaction in Touchdown Zone

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhang Wei ◽  
Peng Peng
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cyclic Loading ◽  
Interaction Model ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Nonlinear Load ◽  
Linear Interaction ◽  
Steel Catenary Riser ◽  
Finite Element Software ◽  
Touchdown Point

Abstract The touch down zone (TDZ) of steel catenary riser (SCR) is subject to fatigue damage. As a significant fatigue indicator, the variation of the stress range largely depends on the instantaneous changing bending moment. In this paper, a non-linear interaction model between seafloor and SCR is developed to consider the formation of trench at TDZ and its effect on the variation of bending moment. The seafloor soil is modeled by the nonlinear springs, whose stiffness is calculated according to nonlinear load-deflection relationship, such that the effect of cyclic loading can be simulated. The modeling of trench evolution and bending moment variation near the touchdown point (TDP) under cyclic loading are further conducted using the finite element software ABAQUS. The results show that the trench shaping is related to the uplift displacement of SCR and its number of cycles. The dependence of the bending moment on the displacement cycles near TDP is also investigated.

Dynamic Response Simulation of SCR in TDZ Considering the Soil Property

2012 ◽  
Vol 226-228 ◽  
pp. 1377-1381
Author(s):  
Gan Li ◽  
Xiao Ping Huang
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Fatigue Analysis ◽  
Stress Variation ◽  
Steel Catenary Riser ◽  
Touchdown Point ◽  
Interaction Problem

The pipe-soil interaction problem is a critical issue in the fatigue analysis of SCR. In this paper, investigation on the initial trench configuration in the touchdown zone (TDZ) of the steel catenary riser (SCR) and factors, which have influence on the trench configuration, such as the amplitude of top end motion were performed firstly. Then the bending moment variation at different points along the trench during the pull up and lay down, the trenches and dynamic response at the touchdown point (TDP) under different soil properties were also investigated. It should be noted that the pipe around the TDZ especially at the TDP, which bears the most drastic bending moment variation and stress variation, is the hot spot in the fatigue analysis of SCR, and the soil properties have big influence on the dynamic stress response amplitude.

ECA Methodology for Fatigue Design of Risers and Flowlines

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. Luk ◽  
T. J. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Steel Catenary Riser ◽  
Fatigue Design ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fatigue And Fracture ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Fatigue Loads ◽  
Vessel Motion ◽  
Level 2

Engineering Criticality Assessment (ECA) is a procedure based on fracture mechanics that may be used to supplement the traditional S-N approach and determine the flaw acceptance and inspection criteria in fatigue and fracture design of risers and flowlines. A number of design codes provide guidance for this procedure, e.g. BS-7910:2005 [1]. However, more investigations and example studies are still needed to address the design implications for riser and flowline applications. This paper provides a review of the existing ECA methodology, presents a fracture mechanics design method for a wide range of riser and flowline fatigue problems, and shows flaw size results from steel catenary riser (SCR) and flowline (FL) examples. The first example is a deepwater SCR subjected to fatigue loads due to vessel motion and riser VIV. The second example is a subsea flowline subjected to thermal fatigue loads. The effects of crack re-characterization and material plasticity on the Level-2 and Level-3 ECA results of the SCR and flowline examples are illustrated.

scholarly journals Dynamic Response Evaluation of Long-Span Reinforced Arch Bridges Subjected to Near- and Far-Field Ground Motions

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman Mohseni ◽  
Hamidreza Lashkariani ◽  
Junsuk Kang ◽  
Thomas Kang
Keyword(s):  
Ground Motion ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Time History ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Structural Performance ◽  
Far Field ◽  
Inelastic Behavior ◽  
Earthquake Loads ◽  
Arch Bridges

This study assessed the structural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) arch bridges under strong ground motion. A detailed three-dimensional finite element model of a 400 m RC arch bridge with composite superstructure and double RC piers was developed and its behavior when subjected to strong earthquakes examined. Two sets of ground motion records were applied to simulate pulse-type near- and far-field motions. The inelastic behavior of the concrete elements was then evaluated via a seismic time history analysis. The concept of Demand to Capacity Ratios (DCR) was utilized to produce an initial estimate of the dynamic performance of the structure, emphasizing the importance of capacity distribution of force and bending moment within the RC arch and the springings and piers of the bridge. The results showed that the earthquake loads, broadly categorized as near- and far-field earthquake loads, changed a number of the bridge’s characteristics and hence its structural performance.

Strength Performance of Steel Catenary Riser Using Short Term and Long Term Analysis Methodologies

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Wang ◽  
Roger Burke ◽  
Anil Sablok ◽  
Kristoffer H. Aronsen ◽  
Oddgeir Dalane
Keyword(s):  
Bending Moment ◽  
Current Profile ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Sea State ◽  
Strength Performance ◽  
Steel Catenary Riser ◽  
Analysis Methodology ◽  
Riser Design ◽  
Term Analysis

Strength performance of a steel catenary riser tied back to a Spar is presented based on long term and short term analysis methodologies. The focus of the study is on response in the riser touch down zone, which is found to be the critical region based on short term analysis results. Short term riser response in design storms is computed based on multiple realizations of computed vessel motions with various return periods. Long term riser response is based on vessel motions for a set of 45,000 sea states, each lasting three hours. The metocean criteria for each sea state is computed based on fifty six years of hindcast wind and wave data. A randomly selected current profile is used in the long term riser analysis for each sea state. Weibull fitting is used to compute the extreme riser response from the response of the 45,000 sea states. Long term analysis results in the touch down zone, including maximum bending moment, minimum effective tension, and maximum utilization using DNV-OS-F201, are compared against those from the short term analysis. The comparison indicates that the short term analysis methodology normally followed in riser design is conservative compared to the more accurate, but computationally more expensive, long term analysis methods. The study also investigates the important role that current plays in the strength performance of the riser in the touch down zone.

Sensitivity Study of Critical Parameters Influencing the Uncertainty of Fatigue Damage in Steel Catenary Risers

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Zi Li ◽  
Ying Min Low
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Structural Safety ◽  
Critical Parameters ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Steel Catenary Riser ◽  
Bending Stresses ◽  
Steel Catenary Risers ◽  
Touchdown Point

The most challenging aspect of a deepwater development is the riser system, and a cost-effective choice is the Steel Catenary Riser (SCR). Fatigue is often a governing design consideration, and it is usually most critical at the touchdown point (TDP) where static and dynamic bending stresses are highest. Unfortunately, it is also at this region that uncertainty is the maximum. The increased uncertainty casts doubt on the applicability of generic safety factors recommended by design codes, and the most consistent way of ensuring the structural safety of the SCR is to employ a reliability-based approach, which has so far not received attention in SCR design. As the number of basic random variables affects the complexity of a reliability analysis, these variables should be selected with caution. To this end, the aim of this paper is to draw up a comprehensive list of design parameters that may contribute meaningfully to the uncertainty of the fatigue damage. From this list, several parameters are selected for sensitivity studies using the commercial package Orcaflex. It is found that variations in seabed parameters such as soil stiffness, soil suction and seabed trench can have a pronounced influence on the uncertainty of the fatigue damage at the touchdown point.

scholarly journals A New Semisubmersible Design for Improved Heave Motion, Vortex-Induced Motion and Quayside Stability

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Xu
Keyword(s):  
Floating Platform ◽  
Natural Period ◽  
Suppression Effect ◽  
Structural Rigidity ◽  
Hull Design ◽  
Induced Motion ◽  
Steel Catenary Risers ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Touchdown Point ◽  
Heave Motion

Recently the semisubmersible has become a favorable choice as a wet-tree floating platform supporting steel catenary risers (SCRs), mainly due to its capability of quayside topside integration and cost-effectiveness. However, it is still a challenge for a conventional semisubmersible to support SCRs, particularly large ones, in harsh environment and relatively shallow water due to its large heave motion. To answer this challenge, a new semisubmersible design has been developed at Technip as a wet-tree floater which achieves significantly improved heave motion and vortex-induced-motion (VIM) performance through hull form optimization while maintaining the simplicity of a conventional semisubmersible design. The difference between the NexGen semi-submersible design and a conventional semi-submersible design is in the blisters attached to the columns, distribution of pontoon volume, and pontoon cross section shape. In the NexGen semi-submersible design, the pontoon volume is re-distributed to minimize heave loading while maintaining sufficient structural rigidity, a long heave natural period and adequate quayside buoyancy. The blisters attached to the columns effectively break the vortex shedding coherence along the column length and therefore suppresses VIM. The blisters also provide much needed stability at quayside and during the hull deployment process, making the hull design less sensitive to topside weight increase. In the present paper the hydrodynamic aspects of this new design are discussed in detail. A benchmark case is presented in which the new design is compared against a more conventional design with the same principal dimensions. It is shown that the heave response in extreme sea states (100-yr hurricane) at the platform center of gravity is reduced by about 30–40%, and at the SCR hang-off locations by about 25–30%. Due to the reduced heave motion, SCRs experience about one third less stress at the touchdown point. A qualitative VIM analytical model is used to predict the VIM suppression effect of the new design. A highlight of a VIM model test for the proposed design is also presented. The reduced heave and VIM significantly improve the riser stress and fatigue near the touchdown point. This new design makes the semisubmersible a more robust wet-tree floater concept, and even a potentially good candidate as a dry-tree host concept in relatively benign environment.

Fatigue sensitivity analysis of steel catenary riser near touchdown point

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 570-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunpeng Wang ◽  
Chunyan Ji ◽  
Hongxiang Xue ◽  
Wenyong Tang
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Steel Catenary Riser ◽  
Touchdown Point ◽  
Fatigue Sensitivity
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