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Technology
Assessment & Research (TA&R) Program
Project Number |
332 |
Date of Summary |
April 09, 2002 |
Subject |
An Engineering
Assessment of Double Wall Versus Single Wall Designs for Offshore Pipelines
in an Arctic Environment |
Performing Activity |
C-CORE |
Principal Investigator |
Dr. Ryan Phillips |
Contracting Agency |
Minerals Management
Service |
Estimated Completion |
Completed |
Description |
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. The principal rationale for conducting this study is to assess
if a double walled design provides the same or a greater degree of
engineering integrity and environmental robustness as compared to a thicker
walled single pipe design for an Arctic offshore application and to appraise
the economics of one selection over the other relative to the potential
risks (real and/or perceived) associated with either application. The
assessment will provide an extensive general review of all engineering and
environmental pro's and con's for using either single wall or double wall
pipeline designs for offshore oil and gas pipelines located in an Arctic
environment. It will consider specific existing and/or planned pipelines
projects of either design methodology located in the Gulf of Mexico, the
North Sea and/or other international locations. For double wall pipelines,
the assessment shall document, with references, the technical and
non-technical reasons as to why that type of design was selected for the
project as opposed to an alternative single wall design relative to
construction, operations, and maintenance issues.
The intent of the desired study IS NOT to assess the
alternatives for a single, specific ongoing Arctic pipeline project. It is
understood that to assess the actual benefits versus costs and risks
associated with either a single walled or double walled design would require
project specific analyzes. The purpose of the assessment IS to accurately
document the advantages and disadvantages (technical and non-technical) of
either a robust single thick walled design to a pipe-in-pipe design
considering the constraints associated with an offshore Arctic pipeline
project, i.e. ice cover, permafrost, scouring of the seafloor by ice, etc.
and based on supporting quantitative information. The assessment will
provide a comprehensive technical reference on double walled pipeline
concepts relative to single walled designs considering long-term structural
integrity and environmental issues. The assessment will consider aspects of
both alternatives such as, but not limited to designed performance versus
actual performance, potential for construction and installation problems,
inspection, risks associated with more complex design and construction
requirements, quality assurance and quality control, corrosion, leak
detection, costs versus perceived risk mitigation, long term operations and
maintenance, structural integrity, secondary containment in the event of a
leak occurring. A primary purpose of the study is to see if it is feasible
to design a double wall pipe for Arctic conditions and to assess
advantages/disadvantages, risks/challenges and what resources would be
required to meet or mitigate those challenges.
All results stated will be specific as to how the
conclusions were determined and if they are, in fact, based on thorough and
defendable engineering or environmental assessments and/or analyzes of
critical issues. The assessment shall be presented in a format so that
engineers, biologists, scientists and the public can comprehend the results
and resulting conclusions. Also the results and conclusions must be
presented in a way so that they are useful, concise, and defendable to all
concerned in making decisions relative to long term integrity and
environmental issues typical for an offshore Arctic pipeline.
Workshop Proceedings are available at
http://www.mms.gov/tarworkshops/Proceedings/workshop25.htm.
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Progress |
Project is now
completed. |
Report |
AA
(269
pages)
![PDF](Assets/icons/pdficons.gif) |
An Engineering
Assessment of Double Wall Versus Single Wall Designs for Offshore Pipelines
in an Arctic Environment, Final Report, C-CORE, Memorial University of
Newfoundland, St. John's, NF, April 2000. |
AB (31
pages)
![PDF](Assets/icons/pdficons.gif) |
Proceedings for "ALASKAN
ARCTIC PIPELINE WORKSHOP" Captain Cook Hotel --Anchorage, Alaska,
November 8 - 9, 1999, C-CORE, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St.
John's, NF.
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