Project to provide facilitation for the break-out sessions of the Offshore Hurricane Readiness & Recovery Conference and prepare a report capturing the findings, issues, and opportunities to improve that are identified by the conference.
The primary purpose of this program is to assess the existing technologies and practices of using composite materials to repair offshore corroded sections of risers above mean water level, and to explore improvement and extensions to the existing technologies. The project will include the technical evaluation and full-scale testing of existing repair systems under realistic loads. Finite element analyses will be completed to illustrate and assess the reinforcement provided by particular composite systems.
Prior research on submarine slides performed by OTRC has consisted of numerical and physical modeling and the development of both empirical and numerical models to predict the initiation and movement of slides. Research shows that under certain conditions a moving slide mass can hydroplane on a layer of water that becomes trapped between the moving slide mass and the underlying soil. One of the most important aspects of hydroplaning is the interaction between the moving slide mass and surrounding fluid.
In September 2004, a category-4 hurricane, Hurricane Ivan, moved through the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM) with extreme winds and waves exceeding the 100-year storm design criteria of offshore facilities in the storm path. Approximately 10,000 miles of pipelines were in the direct path of Hurricane Ivan. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) received industry damage assessment reports identifying damage to the offshore pipeline infrastructure.
During 2004 and 2005, Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita damaged and destroyed hundreds of Gulf of Mexico (GOM) offshore pipelines and platforms, many from mudslides both in line with and adjacent to the hurricanes' path. This two-phase project examined the mudflow/mudslide areas in the high risk mudslide regions of the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Mississippi Delta in order to better understand these events.
During Hurricane Ivan in 2004, a number of Gulf of Mexico (GOM) pipelines and platforms were believed to have been impacted by mudslides in the region of Ivan's path. This project, proposed under two phases, will provide hazard information for the design and placement of new pipelines and structures by determining the applicability of developing regionally consistent hazard maps that delineate relative susceptibility of GOM offshore regions to future submarine mudslides, including identification of past and future probable locations of underwater slope failures.
This research assessed the performance level of existing moisture sampling methods and equipment, such as filters, tubing and heating equipment, which are (1) commonly used by the natural gas industry and (2) recommended by manufacturers for use with moisture analyzers. The research will provide guidance for the possible preparation of an industry standard for moisture determination as a tool to avoid pipeline corrosion.
Sensor technology at the time of this study was capable of measuring and monitoring SCR response with relative precision and accuracy, using a combination of different sensors and methods. However the application of that technology to the offshore environment, where access is limited, installation is difficult and environmental conditions such as pressure and temperature are extreme, was not accomplished as effectively. The measurement and detection of corrosion and crack growth was even more limited.
This JIP investigated the SCR flex joint design and performance due to concerns for early degredation of some offshore elastomers. The goal of the project was to close the current gap of understanding which existed between the design and acutal performance of flexjjoints. For example, in one recent instance it was found that an export flexjoint designed for 200,000+ years exhibited excessive damage to external seals in less than 2 years in operation.
The mission of the JIP was to develop a rational hydrotest alternative methodology for deepwater gas export pipelines, and deliver a draft recommended practice (DRP) for implementation on select pilot projects. The execution of the JIP requires a comprehensive approach in order to develop a hydrotest alternative that is practical and provides the same level of pipeline-integrity assurance as the current hydrotest method.
