Project Number | 532 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Date of Summary | November 8, 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Subject | DW RUPE: Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Pipelines Induced Damage Characteristics & Repair Options | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performing Activity | Stress Subsea, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Principal Investigator | Ray Ayers | ||||||||||||||||||||
Contracting Agency | Minerals Management Service | ||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated Completion | Complete | ||||||||||||||||||||
Description |
Phase I of this project will analyze and develop pipeline repair plans and
capabilities for spool piece repair and leak clamps for deepwater (1000+ ft)
pipelines in he Gulf of Mexico.
The objectives of the Phase 1 project were as follows:
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Progress |
The scope of work under Phase I of the project is complete. This final
report (attached) addresses the first phase of a JIP formed for the
development of emergency repair capability for pipelines and flowlines in
water depths in the 1,000-10,000 ft range in the US Gulf of Mexico. Stress
Subsea (SSI) conducted a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, conducted
interviews with suppliers and operators and, included input from the JIP’s
Steering Committee, to make recommendations for two different repair methods
to support the emergency repair of larger diameter pipelines and flowlines,
respectively. For larger diameter pipelines the recommendation is to use two
“structural” leak clamps to make spool piece repairs, or use one of the two
clamps to clamp a pinhole leak. The use of the same clamp design for either
application avoids needing three separate tools. For the smaller flowline
repair, the recommendation is to cut the flowline on bottom, lift the ends
to the surface to add fittings, and then lay the flowline ends on bottom to
join them with a vertical jumper containing twin collet connectors. Major
pipe damage and pinhole leaks for the flowlines would be repaired the same
way.
Starting with a collection of operator/participants pipe “dedications”, the JIP prepared a Design Basis which served as guidance for various equipment inquiries and requests for quotes. These pipe dedications defined, among other things, size, length, wall thickness, grade and the MAOP of the dedicated pipelines. Interviews were conducted with key deepwater products manufacturers, installation and repair contractors, as well as operators with experience in developing deepwater repair methods. Throughout the project, SSI held 5 project meetings, met with BP and Shell for their views and lessons learned, and met with industry leaders such as Sonsub, Oceaneering, Oil States, Quality Connector Systems, Canyon Offshore and Deep Marine Technology to get their input and advice. SSI also interfaced with companies such as FMC and Grayloc, as well as a number of other smaller sub suppliers. From the Deepwater RUPE Phase 1 Project, the following conclusions were drawn:
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Reports | |||||||||||||||||||||
AA (62 pages) | Deep Water Response to Underwater Pipeline Emergencies - DW RUPE, Final Report, Ray R. Ayers, Ph.D., P.E., Stress Subsea, Inc., Houston, TX, October 2005. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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