Pipeline Repair in the Gulf of Mexico. Cranes on a barge lift a pipeline for repair in the wake of Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

The TA&R is developing a methodology for assessing acceptable loads and residual service lives of existing pipelines. There is a growing concern about the integrity (age and condition) of some of the older pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico. There is also some concern over the susceptibility of pipelines to corrosion, and by anchors being dropped on or dragged across a pipeline. Improved inspection and monitoring systems need to be devised for both existing and proposed pipelines systems.

Shortly after the turn of the next century, exploration wells will be drilled at depths of 10,000. Production systems are currently being designed for depths of 6,000 feet and greater. The product pipeline networks for gas and oil will be extended well off the continental shelf and down the continental slope. Large reservoirs will be serviced by tension leg platforms or spar platform derivatives, with extended capability to handle distant subsea completions, and will be operated by a consortia of large companies. Smaller reservoirs will be produced using small moored floating platforms and floating production storage offloading (FPSO's), many of which will be capable of reuse in other locations. The business climate will demand innovative platform configurations, reductions in the weight and cost of risers and mooring systems, and solutions to the pipeline reliability problems.

As more reserves are being discovered in deep water, the technology needed to design and build safe and reliable pipelines will become ever more apparent. This rapid evolution in technology needs to be independently verified to ensure continued safety of operations and protection of the environment. To be able to assess the safety, risks, and reliability of deepwater pipelines, the TA&R Program will fund projects in the following areas:

1. corrosion of deepwater pipelines;

2. repair and inspection of deep water pipelines;

3. risk assessment and reliability of pipelines;

4. identification and mitigation of deep water hazards on pipelines; and

5. operational development issues related to pipelines (i.e. hydrotesting, leakage).

This project will test and verify the accuracy of smart pigs and remaining strength or reliability methods. With the resources of Winmar, Rosen, Pipeline Integrity International and the University of California at Berkeley, several pipelines over a two-year period will be smart pigged, then overpressured to failure. The failed section will be identified and brought to shore for actual measuring of the defects. The pig data and the actual measurements will be inputted in to the remaining strength or reliability algorithms (R-Streng, DNV 99, B31G, RAM Pipe Requal, RP1111) to compare their accuracy. The accuracy of the smart pig measurements will be compared to the actual onshore measurements as well. (Project 376)

An Engineering Assessment of Double Wall Versus Single Wall Designs for Offshore Pipelines in an Arctic Environment – C-CORE, Memorial University of Newfoundland

The objective of the C-CORE proposal 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 MMS is responsible for the approval of all development and exploration plans on the Continental Shelf as well as the approval of right-of-ways for pipelines. The information developed in this project would be essential to determine the adequacy of future pipeline installations in the Arctic. (Project 332)

Appraisal and Development of Pipeline Defect Assessment Methodologies -- MSL Engineering Limited

This project will collect and evaluate all experimental data on failure of defective pipe sections including welds, corrosion and mechanical damage defects. A most appropriate methodology for the assessment of pipeline weld and metal loss defects will be developed. (Project 336)

Alaska Arctic Pipeline Workshop -- November 8 & 9, 1999, in the ballroom of The Hotel Captain Cook 939 West Fifth Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska

The objective of the workshop is to bring together a group of experts with skills related to Arctic offshore pipeline design, operation, maintenance and inspection to examine the state of the art in relation to a number of offshore pipeline alternatives under consideration for Alaska offshore oil and gas reserves. (Project 332)

Developing an Industry-Wide Best-Practice for the Assessment of Spans in Existing Submarine Pipelines – BOMEL

The objective is to devise a philosophical approach and a robust uncertainty-based framework for pipeline spans assessment. It will appraise the availability of spans data and feasibility of its analysis for time-dependant aspects; qualitative benchmark assessment programs/systems; review survey methods and information for certainty. (Project 335)

Assessment of Current Pipeline Flushing and Decommissioning Requirements - Research and Field Testing -- WINMAR Inc.

This project will assist the MMS in verifying the accuracy of regulations for the flushing, handling, and future decommissioning of out-of-service pipelines. (Project 352)

DNR-MMS Louisiana Offshore Pipeline and Platform Map --Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)