| Project
Number |
367 |
| Date of Summary |
June 20, 2008 |
| Subject |
To Develop Shear Strength Maps of Shallow Sediments in the
Gulf of Mexico |
| Performing Activity |
Texas A&M University,
Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC) |
| Principal Investigator |
Dr. Wayne Dunlap |
| Contracting Agency |
Minerals Management Service |
|
Completion |
Completed |
| Description |
This project developed contour maps of shear
strength for the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico shallow sediments for
depths of 0, 5 and 10 feet below mud-line and from shoreline to ~300
ft water depths. Present regulations require that offshore pipelines be
buried to a depth of 3 ft. below the mud-line in water depths of 200 ft. or
less. An alternative in soft sediments is to allow pipelines to self-bury by
virtue of their mass. MMS has developed a criterion based on near-surface
sediment shear strength to determine whether these pipelines will self-bury
however available maps developed in the 1970’s have become less reliable in
areas due to erosion and deposition of shallow sediments by storms and
currents. The purpose of this project is to develop new shear strength maps
based on more recent soil boring information. The purpose of this project is
to develop new shear strength maps based on the most recent soil boring data
at that time. |
| Progress |
Study completed in 2004. |
|
Reports |
AA
(84 KB) |
Shear Strength maps of Shallow Sediments in the
Gulf of Mexico, Final Report, Wayne Dunlap and others, Texas A&M University,
College Station, Texas, August 2004.
Gulf of Mexico Bore Shear Strength Readings
(150 KB)
(267 KB) |
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Last Updated:
07/22/2008,
06:29 PM
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