Pipelines

This research was designed to advance safety and wet welding technology, materials, and procedures used for underwater fabrication and repair of subsurface facilities and pipelines.

This project collected and evaluated all experimental data on failure of defective pipe sections including weld, corrosion and mechanical damage defects. A most appropriate methodology for the assessment of pipeline weld and metal loss defects was developed.

To devise a philosophical approach and a robust uncertainty-based framework for pipeline spans assessment. It will appraise the availability of spans data and feasibility of its analysis for time-dependant aspects; qualitative benchmark assessment programs/systems; review survey methods and information for certainty.

The workshop will continue the review of ice scour effects relevant to the safe design and operation of marine pipelines offshore, and to address the issues of damage control, oil spill cleanup and risk management. The first international workshop was held in February 1998. The Proceedings from that workshop are available from C-CORE. The general aim of this second workshop is to expand of the first event, exchange information through the review of progress and research since the last workshop and relate issues of pipeline burial, protection and damage control to current guidelines.

This study had several objectives. The main objective of this study is to conduct an extensive, non bias engineering and environmental assessment, considering both pro's and con's, of single versus double walled designs for offshore pipelines in an Arctic environment.

This is a JIP designed to disseminate new information to address hazard concerns related to hydrates and to stimulate new research. Objectives of the research include: mapping gas hydrates in geophysical context across the Gulf of Mexico, and analyzing new samples of natural gas hydrate. The focus is on reservoir characterization, the effects of gas hydrates on sea floor stability, and on pipeline plugging and potential rupture.

This project's objective was to organize and conduct a Underwater Welding Seminar with representatives of MMS, PEMEX, IMP, and other interested parties. The seminar considered the different aspects of underwater wet welding of offshore oil and gas platforms typical of those located in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The seminar identified technical and non-technical barriers that hinder the use of the technology for fabrication and maintenance of platforms and pipeline in the GOM. The seminar identified future research areas.

This was a Cooperative Project between MMS and IMP to develop a Re-qualification method for pipelines.

Due to the aging condition of existing pipelines, a need exists to be aware of new managing techniques for pipeline integrity. The subject workshop discussed such issues and provided a forum for the exchange of information.

The purpose of the study is to identify and evaluate current and new deepwater pipeline repair methods. This study will allow MMS to evaluate the current state-of-the-art deepwater repair methodologies. It will also give the MMS the technical background to evaluate current regulatory protocols and possibly add new ones. Since many new and existing pipelines are located in water depths greater than 1,000 ft, the MMS needs a study that will investigate deepwater pipeline repairs. The study will focus on domestic companies and list foreign companies in lesser detail.