DNV GL is launching three new joint industry projects (JIPs) to advance the offshore pipeline industry.
The three JIPs include free spans in trenches, pipeline repair and design of pipeline components.
DNL GL says that with the oil and gas industry’s push into new energy frontiers, the offshore pipeline industry is faced with greater technical challenges relating to pipelines and the expectation that it will optimize solutions to be cost effective.
“Offshore pipelines are the veins on an offshore field development and represent a large part of the total investment and the value of the transported product can be enormous,” says Asle Venås, DNV GL global director for pipelines. “All three cooperation projects present an opportunity for the industry to work more efficiently, either through optimized and more reliable design, faster execution of projects, or safer and more robust operation.”
Free Spans in Trenches JIP
The free spans in trenches JIP is designed to make pipeline free span intervention less costly. Free spans are gaps between the seabed and pipeline and can lead to vibrations that may damage the pipeline.
DNV GL says this JIP is aimed to address the problems, including over-dimensioning designs and conducting unnecessary interventions, by developing improved free span assessments which will lead to fewer interventions and reduced cost.
The company says that the project comprises computational fluid dynamic analysis combined with a significant test program. The outcome will be an extension of DNV GL’s recommended practice for free spanning pipelines (DNV-RP-F105). DNV GL and Dutch pipeline operator BBL Company V.O.F. have partnered for this project and the duo is looking for additional pipeline operators to join.
Pipeline Repair JIP
DNV GL’s second JIP is aimed to result in faster and more consistent pipeline repair.
The company says the maintenance and modification technology on offshore pipelines is developing to accommodate deeper and harsher environments and reduce downtime. Technology and operational experience have been developed through several projects, such as remote pipeline operations using hyperbaric welding and Statoil’s successful Hot Tap operations in the North Sea.
DNV GL says they are planning to develop formalized criteria and procedures in an updated version of its recommended practice on pipeline subsea repair (DNV-RP-F113) and are inviting pipeline repair equipment companies to collaborate in the development, reduction of time and cost spent on the design and execution of pipeline repair.
Design of Pipeline Components JIP
The third and final JIP is expected to optimize the design of pipeline components faster.
DNV GL says that currently, internationally recognized standards and recommended practices cover the limit state design of subsea pipelines and such design codes only provide high-level guidance on how to consider pipeline components within a pipeline system.
The company goes on to say that there is not a consistent and unified approach to the design of pipeline components. With modern pipeline standards, the pipeline design is optimized and this gap becomes even more pronounced. DNV GL’s objective for this JIP is to develop an approach, based on industry experience and best practice, to pipeline component design that is compatible with a modern pipeline limit state design code such as DNV-OS-F101.
“The aim is to help prevent project delays, increased costs and, in some cases, compromised safety, which can happen when the interpretation of codes is stretched. We are inviting major players working with pipeline systems and components,” says Jonathan Wiggen, DNV GL project manager.
Image from DNV GL
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