Structural Integrity Assessment of FPSO Life Extension and Relocation

Author(s):  
Xiaozhi Wang ◽  
Haihong Sun ◽  
Soontaek Lee
Author(s):  
Abe Nezamian ◽  
Joshua Altmann

The ageing of offshore infrastructure presents a constant and growing challenge for operators. Ageing is characterised by deterioration, change in operational conditions or accidental damages which, in the severe operational environment offshore, can be significant with serious consequences for installation integrity if not managed adequately and efficiently. An oil field consisting of twelve well head platforms, a living quarter platform (XQ), a flare platform (XFP) and a processing platform (XPA) are the focus of this paper, providing an overview of the integrity assessment process. In order to ensure technical and operational integrity of these ageing facilities, the fitness for service of these offshore structures needs to be maintained. Assessments of the structural integrity of thirteen identified platforms under existing conditions were undertaken as these platforms are either nearing the end of their design life or have exceeded more than 50% of their design life. Information on history, characteristic data, condition data and inspection results were collected to assess the current state and to predict the future state of the facility for possible life extension. The information included but was not limited to as built data, brown fields modifications, additional risers and clamp-on conductors and incorporation of subsea and topside inspection findings. In-service integrity assessments, pushover analyses, corrosion control and cathodic protection assessments and weight control reports were completed to evaluate the integrity of these facilities for requalification to 2019 and life extension to 2030. The analytical models and calculations were updated based on the most recent inspection results and weight control reports. A requalification and life extension report was prepared for each platform to outline the performance criteria acceptance to achieve requalification until 2019 and life extension until 2030. This paper documents the methodology to assess the platform structural integrity in order to evaluate platform integrity for the remaining and extended design life. An overview of various aspects of ageing related to these offshore facilities, representing risk to the integrity, the required procedures and re assessment criteria for deciding on life extension of these facilities is presented. This paper also provides an overall view of the structural requirements, justifications and calibrations of the original design for the life extension to maintain the safety level by means of maintenance and inspection programs balancing the ageing mechanisms and improving the reliability of assessment results.


Author(s):  
Guohua Chen ◽  
Bonuan Chen

Based on the typical in-service high pressure vessels made of PCrNi3MoVA for producing synthetic crystal, a systematic technology of material fracture toughness estimation, structural integrity assessment, and life extension is carried out for the in-service equipment with the following aspects: macroscopically and microscopically analyzing, the tests including KIC, AKV, FATT (50%), the predicting method of fracture, system safety assessment, and the life extension technology. Some practical conclusions can be obtained from the test and analysis as follows: The main failure factors for this kind of high pressure vessels include heat treatment processes, temper brittleness, and stress corrosion; It is found that the value of FATT (50%) increased very significantly; The comparison between the test results and the predicted results of the value of KIC is also performed, and it is shown that the value of KIC of in-service equipment can be estimated by the formula presented by Barsom-Rolfe or in API 579 with the value of AKV, The test temperature is recommended at least to reach 25 C (or room temperature) for the repaired vessels; The life extension technologies are put forward for this kind of in-service super-high pressure vessels.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish Srivastava ◽  
Abeer Al Ali ◽  
Govindavilas Sudhesh ◽  
Majed Ahmed Alkarbi ◽  
Mohamed Saleh Ali ◽  
...  

Abstract Assuring integrity of offshore well Conductor is one of the challenges in the aged giant offshore fields operating with 1500+ wells. Such fields should have a robust and efficient integrity management system for inspection and assessment of well conductors through the well life cycle. Offshore well Conductors form the secondary load-bearing element in a well, primary being the surface casing. A practical approach in assessing the structural integrity of the well conductor is proposed in this paper. Wells were classifying into five subgroups; optimized Inspection and Integrity Assessment methods used to establish the structural integrity of conductors; which were evaluated and validated by a 3rd part consultant. The assessment results indicate how over-conservative assumptions in engineering assessment may mislead operators to categorize wells into higher risk. Assessment was performed utilizing various modeling software. Reliability based approach was adopted to accommodate uncertainties in data utilizing appropriate engineering judgement to tackle data gaps. Average thickness measured at discrete elevations was compared with the calculated minimum required thickness (MRT) to assess the structural integrity status of conductors. This approach helped in the decision making and planning for risk mitigation repairs. The results of optimized inspection techniques and structural assessment methodology lead to establishment of clear pattern for critical well conductors and applied to the groups to decide on maintenance strategy. The conductor wall thickness data measured from automated thickness measurement technique is matching with the measured data from manual thickness measurements. The average wall thickness at each elevation, obtained from the raw automated thickness measurement technique data to be used for assessment of the conductor. After building good confidence in the mode of failure the results indicated that manual thickness measurement technique is sufficient to assess the structural integrity of the conductors. The consultant has performed parametric studies to validate the Minimum Required Thickness (MRT) for the most onerous well in the group; by modelling the boundary conditions of conductor span between the guides, the critical water depth, well depth etc. Sensitivity studies were performed considering the environmental loading due to wind, wave, current; vortex induced vibrations, cement height behind the pipes etc. From the new findings the integrity status of the current wells risk ranking will be reviewed and if the average measured thickness is greater than the MRT then a repair program is no more required. The resource utilization was optimized based on the final outcome of the exercise. A procedure based optimized inspection techniques and structural integrity assessments to the group the well conductors resulted in the revision of risk ranking of wells, efficient maintenance planning and achieve high-cost optimization for its life extension. The outcome of the consultancy study will also substantiate our current method of conductor assessment and decision for repair based on risk-based approach. Based on the learnings this paper will be focusing on utilizing optimal inspection and assessment approach.


Author(s):  
Hamid Golpour ◽  
Mostafa Zeinoddini ◽  
Hadi Khalili ◽  
Ali Golbaz ◽  
Yashar Yaghubi ◽  
...  

The existing knowledge on the structural integrity assessment of offshore platforms may benefit from case studies on the life extension evaluations of aging structures. This paper presents a case study for the structural integrity assessment of an existing 8 legged aging drilling platform located in the Persian Gulf. The platform is now 42 years old and the objective of the study is to check its fit for purpose for a life extension of 25 years beyond 2012. The structural model is based on the best estimates of the existing conditions of the platform. A number of analysis approach such as i) assessment based on the previous exposures, ii) linear (elastic), iii) equivalent linear (or the linear global analysis with local overload considerations), and iv) non-linear analysis methods have been used to estimate the structural integrity of the platform. The paper provides further background, clarifications and proposed updates to API-RP 2A-Section 17. The paper is divided into three parts. Section 1 is a discussion on the background of the previous assessment study and perspective view on why the case study platform needs to be assessed. Section 2 and Section 3 include the finding of the code-noncompliance points of the platform based on the recommendations of API RP 2A-2007. Section 4 presents the remedy actions recommended for the fit for purpose of the platform.


Author(s):  
R.M. Chandima Ratnayake ◽  
S.M. Samindi Samarakoon

Structural integrity assessment and control (SIA & C) are vital for existing ageing as well as newly built offshore and onshore structures. The SIA & C becomes highly sensitive to interventions under a potential loss of structural integrity (SI) especially when there are inherent constraints present in carrying out engineering work in hazardous environments such as petroleum production and process facilities (P&PFs). The challenges have been further exacerbated by the constantly ageing onshore and offshore structures whilst it is the necessity of carrying out life extension at the verge of their design service lives. Local and international regulations demand the implementation of appropriate strengthening, modification and repair (SMR) plans when significant changes in the SI have been revealed. This chapter presents potential simulation approaches that are possible to utilize for SIA&C in relation to prioritization as well as evaluation of current status of a SIA&C organization.


Author(s):  
Daigo Watanabe ◽  
Kiminobu Hojo

This paper introduces an example of structural integrity evaluation for Light Water Reactor (LWR) against excessive loads on the Design Extension Condition (DEC). In order to assess the design acceptance level of DEC, three acceptance criteria which are the stress basis limit of the current design code, the strain basis limit of the current design code and the strain basis limit by using Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) method were applied. As a result the allowable stress was increased by changing the acceptance criteria from the stress basis limit to the strain basis limit. It is shown that the practical margin of the LWR’s components still keeps even on DEC by introducing an appropriate criterion for integrity assessment and safety factors.


Author(s):  
Sébastien Fouques ◽  
Ole Andreas Hermundstad

The paper is concerned with the launch of free-fall lifeboats (FFL). It proposes a method that complies with the DNV-OS-E406 standard in order to select characteristic launches from Monte Carlo simulations for further structural load assessment with CFD and FEM. Proxy variables derived from kinematic parameters and aiming at predicting pressure load indicators are computed with the VARUNA launch simulator developed by MARINTEK. The statistical distributions of the proxy variables obtained from the Monte Carlo simulations are used to identify critical scenarios, and characteristic launches can then be selected from a chosen probability level. The feasibility of the proposed method is documented in the paper for several types of pressure loads. Existing model test data from various FFL-launch campaigns in calm water and in waves are used to compute the proxy variables as it would be done in the VARUNA simulator. Scatter diagrams showing the correlation with actual measured pressure load indicators are then established to assess the quality of the chosen proxy variables.


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