TPi May 2017

business & market news

ITF steps up action to solve pipe-walking problems

by applying mitigative measures only when they are required. Ben Foreman, technology team lead with ITF, added, “The APT JIP is focused on providing the necessary research to present viable and economical solutions to this problem and we aim to do this over a relatively short time frame. “The JIP team already demonstrates a great deal of expertise and knowledge in this subject matter and will work together to develop and test more effective, low-cost pipeline anchoring systems that are simpler to deploy, more cost-effective to install and able to be retrofitted.” ITF – UK www.itfenergy.com Crondall Energy – UK www.crondall-energy.com

typical project, there has been little opportunity for optimisation or more considered evaluation of alternatives. The knowledge gained from the APT JIP will add significant value to a client’s ability to design and install efficient and safe pipeline anchoring systems.” Pipe-walking, or axial ratcheting, has been observed on a number of pipelines and can cause integrity concerns, including very large global axial displacements of the pipeline. In some cases, this has resulted in tie-in connector failures or subsea intervention to mitigate or control high rates of walking. Large suction anchors with a capacity of around 100 tonnes are typically installed at the end of the pipeline to control walking. In more recent projects, some long pipelines have required several anchors to be installed over the pipeline length. The study will complement existing research by using the experience of JIP participants. It will provide design strategies to simplify the design process and present a roadmap for projects to manage and mitigate the walking challenge over the project cycle. This will include the development of a ‘wait and see’ approach based on effective monitoring of pipeline walking

The Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF) is welcoming additional participants to a new joint industry project (JIP) to develop pipeline anchoring and monitoring systems that could mitigate the risk of pipeline walking and reduce pipeline anchor installation costs. The Anchoring Pipeline Technology (APT) JIP currently involves Shell. The initial phase of the project will run for eight months and will bring together major global operators and pipeline installation companies to collaborate with ITF and Crondall Energy, an independent oil and gas consultancy. It aims to investigate alternative and less costly solutions and create a roadmap on how to manage and mitigate the pipe-walking challenge. David Bruton, director subsea, Crondall Energy, said, “There is much uncertainty over walking rate predictions in design, leading to increased design costs and schedule overruns. “In many cases, these uncertainties are resolved by installing anchors as a pre-emptive mitigation measure, which has proven to be extremely costly, not entirely successful and, in some cases, unnecessary. “Because the evaluation of alternative, less costly,more elegant design solutions are generally beyond the timescale of a

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A typical 100t pipeline suction anchor, installed on Greater Plutonio field, offshore Angola Photo credit: Jayson et al – Offshore Pipeline Technology Conference 2008

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