Studying safety and risk management in the gas transmission system using GIS technology

In this current research, the combination of gas transportation system in line with analytical process was applied to conduct an assessment on the risk management of gas transferring pipe lines. By this process, classification and qualification of the numerous types of transportation risks would be accessible. Index and transportation index indicate risk probability and risk severity, respectively. In this regard, total risk is calculated based on the multiplication of all risk probability using geographical information systems (GIS) classified risks that have been throughout the pipeline route using attributive information. This information also gave database alternative monitoring of gas transportation.

Hydrodynamic model of an oil spill on the Earth’s surface and the use of expert technologies in its implementation to assess pollution methods

A volumetric model of accidental oil spills on the land surface was developed, based on numerical methods for solving hydrodynamic equations, and taking into account the processes of oil spreading over the surface, its filtration into the soil and evaporation into the atmosphere. Based on the results of calculations using the hydrodynamic model for the most probable scenarios of oil spills, it is possible to obtain an estimate of the spatial-temporal scale of the spill, which, together with data on the terrain and the presence of water bodies, is the input data for the expert model. Based on the joint use of the hydrodynamic model of the oil spill and expert technologies, the territory of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug and the South Khylchuyu-Varandey oil pipeline were zoned in more detail. It makes it possible to predict the scale and areas most susceptible to negative impact in the event of an accidental oil spill, and to make the necessary decisions for the location of the spill response facilities, as well as the facilities themselves, already at the stage of selection and design of the pipeline route.

The inverse strength problem for evaluation of bending stresses in pipelines during ground movements

Three variants of the engineering solution of inverse problems regarding the strength of pipeline sections bent as a result of ground movements or during an earthquake are proposed. The feature of this approach consists in calculation of stresses not by the forces acting on the pipe, but by the displacements or deflections. Therefore, full-scale measurements of the detected deviation of the pipe position from the planned pipeline route should be taken as initial data for estimating the values of additional bending stresses. The first problem considered is the assessment of the risk of pipeline malfunction upon sagging or bulging of the supports of aboveground pipelines. The problem is solved in the beam approximation. The pipeline is considered a statically indeterminate beam, one of the supports of which is forcibly moved to a given distance. For a once statically indeterminate beam, a system of four equations — two equilibrium equations and two integral equations for deflections — was solved numerically. The calculated values of three reactions of the supports and the angle of rotation of the pipe section on the first support are used to calculate bending moments, stresses and deflection lines. The problem for a thrice statically indeterminate beam under strain loading was also solved. The second goal is to model the stress-strain state of the pipeline proceeding from the tables of experimental data on the values of pipe deflections and their coordinates. The problem was also solved numerically, using the procedures of smoothing, linear interpolation and sequential differentiation. It is shown that taking into account the possible ambiguous solution of the inverse problem, we should not rely on the calculated values of transverse forces and distributed loads. It is enough to limit ourselves to the second coordinate derivative of the deflection. The third goal is to prevent accidents at the design stage. It is proposed to create a list of normalized deflection functions for modeling possible emergency situations for pipeline sections placed in difficult ground-geological conditions and seismically dangerous zones. The examples of such functions are given.

Numerical Analysis of the Design of a Subsea Gas Pipe Route Passing the Thrust Fault Using the Finite Element Method

In submarine pipeline route planning, there is a possibility that the pipeline route will pass through a potential geohazard in the form of an active subduction zone. The planned pipeline route in this study is located in the Arafura Sea, which cross path through a subduction zone system that has a thrust fault mechanism. To analyse the structural response of the pipe passing through the thrust fault, a numerical analysis using the finite element method is being used. Numerical modelling will accommodate the interaction of nonlinear behaviour between an API 5L X70 steel pipe and a cohesive clay soil. Then the pipe section in the fault area will be examined in detail with a parametric study of the variation in the angle of the pipe passing through the fault line and the impact of various earthquake magnitudes. The results of the numerical analysis show that the maximum von mises stress and maximum strain values will have a greater value for a larger pipe angle and a greater earthquake magnitude. The axial strain along the pipe will be significantly increased at the fault line and has a greater value for the pipe on the hanging wall than the pipe on the footwall. It can be concluded that the optimum route for the submarine pipeline passing through the thrust fault should be kept as small/short as possible against the fault line. The results of this analysis are expected to provide an overview of the behaviour of submarine pipes that pass through the thrust fault so that the pipe route designed can be optimal by considering safety, integrity, and efficiency.

Machine Learning-Based Optimization for Subsea Pipeline Route Design

Optimal route selection for the subsea pipeline is a critical task for the pipeline design process, and the route selected can significantly affect the overall project cost. Therefore, it is necessary to design the routes to be economical and safe. On-bottom stability (OBS) and fixed obstacles like existing crossings and free spans are the main factors that affect the route selection. This article proposes a novel hybrid optimization method based on a typical Machine Learning algorithm for designing an optimal pipeline route. The proposed optimal route design is compared with one of the popular multi-objective optimization method named Genetic Algorithm (GA). The proposed pipeline route selection method uses a Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithm, a particular type of machine learning method to train a pipeline system that would optimize the route selection of subsea pipelines. The route optimization tool evaluates each possible route by incorporating Onbottom stability criteria based on DNVGL-ST-109 standard and other constraints such as the minimum pipeline route length, static obstacles, pipeline crossings, and free-span section length. The cost function in the optimization method simultaneously handles the minimization of length and cost of mitigating procedures. Genetic Algorithm, a well established optimization method, has been used as a reference to compare the optimal route with the result from the proposed Reinforcement Learning based optimization method. Three different case studies are performed for finding the optimal route selection using the Reinforcement Learning (RL) approach considering the OBS criteria into its cost function and compared with the Genetic Algorithm (GA). The RL method saves upto 20% pipeline length for a complex problem with 15 crossings and 31 free spans. The RL optimization method provides the optimal routes, considering different aspects of the design and the costs associated with the various factors to stabilize a pipeline (mattress, trenching, burying, concrete coating, or even employing a more massive pipe with additional steel wall thickness). OBS criteria significantly influence the best route, indicating that the tool can reduce the pipeline's design time and minimize installation and operational costs of the pipeline. Conventionally the pipeline route optimization is performed by a manual process where the minimum roule length and static obstacles are considered to find an optimum route. The engineering is then performed to fulfill the criteria of this route, and this approach may not lead to an optimized engineering cost. The proposed Reinforced Learning method for route optimization is a mixed type, faster, and cost-efficient approach. It significantly minimizes the pipeline's installation and operational costs up to 20% of the conventional route selection process.

Tangguh Project: Multidisciplinary and Challenging Design of a Novel Concept of Buckle Initiator

This paper is based on the experience made during the design and installation of an offshore pipeline recently completed in Indonesia, where a 24” subsea production pipeline (16km long in 70m water depth) was found susceptible during design to lateral buckling. To limit the development of excessive deformation within the acceptance criteria, a mitigation strategy based on interacting planned buckles has been adopted installing three Buckle Initiators (BI) along the pipeline route. Buckling is a well understood phenomenon. However, this project was characterized by major uncertainties mainly driven by soil characterization, soil-pipe interaction, seabed mobility and soil liquefaction. These uncertainties have played a key role in the in-service buckling design. A lot of engineering efforts have been spent to go through the screening between alternative concepts, the validation of the chosen solution and its detailed engineering phase. This paper discusses the main contributing factors and how the uncertainties have been tackled. The Buckle Initiators are quite large and heavy structures with two main bars: the first ramp has an inclination equal to 30° and the pipeline has been laid on it; a second horizontal ramp was used as sleeper to accommodate the development of the lateral buckle during the operating life. A rotating arm was also used to restrict the pipeline lay corridor on the inclined ramp guaranteeing a combined horizontal and vertical out-of-straightness in the as-laid configuration. The rotating arm has been released as soon as the pipeline passed the BI permitting the pipeline to slide freely over the two BI ramps. The foundation of the Buckle Initiator has a footprint surface of about 60m2 guaranteeing its stability for different soil types characterizing the three installation areas. This more complex solution was preferred with respect to a typical sleeper to increase the robustness of the system in terms of buckle mobilization. The design of the Buckle Initiator was a multidisciplinary activity where many novel concepts were developed and many issues were faced (i.e. pipeline laying on an inclined sleeper, anti-scouring system, foundation design, etc.). The Buckle Initiator design was focused on structural calculations against design loads expected during temporary and operating conditions, geotechnical verifications, installation analysis, pipeline configuration and fatigue assessment. This paper presents all main engineering aspects faced during design and first feedbacks from field after the pipeline installation.

Tangguh Project: In-Service Buckling Design of Offshore Pipelines With Major Uncertainties on Soil Characterization and Seabed Mobility

This paper is based on the experience made during the design and installation of an offshore pipeline recently completed in Indonesia, where a 24” subsea production pipeline (16km long in 70m water depth) was found susceptible during design to lateral buckling. Buckling is a well understood phenomenon. However, this project was characterized by major uncertainties mainly driven by soil characterization, soil zonation, soil-pipe interaction, seabed mobility and seabed liquefaction. These uncertainties have played a key role in the in-service buckling design. In particular, extreme pipeline embedment scenarios ranging from fully exposed to fully covered (due to natural sand transportation) were accounted with a significant impact on soil-pipe interaction. To limit the development of excessive strain within the acceptance criteria, a mitigation strategy based on interacting planned buckles has been adopted installing three Buckle Initiators (BI) along the pipeline route. During design great efforts have been spent with the aim to demonstrate the robustness of the proposed solution. 3-D FEM simulations with ABAQUS have been performed taking into account the pipeline route including route curves and the sea bottom profile and the buckle initiators with their main geometries. All uncertainties have been considered following a deterministic approach. The impact of environmental and accidental loads due to a potential trawl-gear interaction were assessed as well. The pipeline susceptibility to lateral and/or upheaval buckling along the sandwave areas has been analyzed as well in order to evaluate the need of mitigation measures suitable to freeze the pipeline configuration during the operating life. Finally, once the lateral buckling design philosophy was established, the cyclic expansion and walking behavior of the pipeline were assessed to verify the pipeline structural integrity at buckles, route curve pull-out and the accumulative pipeline expansion at spools. This paper presents all main engineering aspects faced during design and first feedbacks from field after the pipeline installation.

New optimism will buoy Uganda-Tanzania energy sectors

Significance With a budget of USD3.5bn, the 1,400-kilometre pipeline project linking the western city of Hoima in Uganda to Tanzania’s Tanga port should bring significant economic benefits to both countries. However, questions remain over how the project will be funded, amid intense pressure on banks from activist groups over environmental concerns. Impacts The process of compensating landowners along the pipeline route is ongoing and is expected to proceed smoothly. The construction process will create employment opportunities for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labourers. The construction phase will also see an influx of expatriates into both countries.