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BSPE BLK 5B
AUG 9, 2017
PET 58
Route selection
One of the earliest and most critical tasks in a submarine pipeline planning exercise is the route selection. ] This
selection has to consider a variety of issues, some of a political nature, but most others dealing with geohazards,
physical factors along the prospective route, and other uses of the seabed in the area considered. This task begins
with a fact-finding exercise, which is a standard desk study that includes a survey of geological maps, bathymetry,
fishing charts, aerial and satellite photography, as well as information from navigation authorities.
Physical factors
The primary physical factor to be considered in submarine pipeline construction is the state of the seabed whether
it is smooth (i.e., relatively flat) or uneven (corrugated, with high points and low points). If it is uneven, the pipeline
will include free spans when it connects two high points, leaving the section in between unsupported. [If an
unsupported section is too long, the bending stress exerted onto it (due to its weight) may be excessive.
Physical factors to be taken into account prior to building a pipeline include the following:
Seabed mobility, Submarine landslides, Currents, Waves, Ice-related issues.
Construction
Near-surface tow: The pipeline remains below the water surface but close to it this mitigates wave action.
But the spar buoys used to maintain the line at that level are affected by rough seas, which in itself may
represent a challenge for the towing operation.
Mid-depth tow: The pipeline is not buoyant either because it is heavy or it is weighted down by hanging
chains. In this configuration, the line is suspended in a catenary between two towing vessels. The shape of that
catenary (the sag) is a balance between the line's weight, the tension applied to it by the vessels and
hydrodynamic lift on the chains. The amount of allowable sag is limited by how far down the seabed is.
Off-bottom tow: This configuration is similar to the mid-depth tow, but here the line is maintained within 1 to
2 m (several feet) away from the bottom, using chains dragging on the seabed.
Bottom tow: In this case, the pipeline is dragged onto the bottom the line is not affected by waves and
currents, and if the sea gets too rough for the tow vessel, the line can simply be abandoned and recovered later.
Challenges with this type of system include: requirement for an abrasion-resistant coating, interaction with other
submarine pipelines and potential obstructions (reef, boulders, etc.). Bottom tow is commonly used for river
crossings and crossings between shores.
curve
(the sagbend) before coming into contact with the seabed (touch
down
excessive
bending. This on-site pipeline assembly approach, referred to as laybarge construction, is known for its versatility and self-contained
nature
to
such
a full length flow line. The reel-lay system, however, can only handle lower diameter pipelines up to about 400 mm
(16 in).Also, the kind of steel making up the pipes must be able to undergo the required amount of plastic
deformation as it is bent to proper curvature (by a spiral J-tube) when reeled around the drum, and straightened
back (by a straightener) during the layout operations at the installation site
Stabilization
Several methods are used to stabilise and protect submarine pipelines and their components. These may be used
alone or in combinations.[
A submarine pipeline may be laid inside a trench as a means of safeguarding it against fishing gear (e.g. anchors)
and trawling activity.This may also be required in shore approaches to protect the pipeline
against currents and wave action (as it crosses thesurf zone). Trenching can be done prior to pipeline lay (pretrenching), or afterward by seabed removal from below the pipeline (post-trenching). In the latter case, the trenching
device rides on top of, or straddles, the pipeline.Several systems are used to dig trenches in the seabed for
submarine pipelines:
Jetting: This is a post-trenching procedure whereby the soil is removed from beneath the pipeline by using
powerful pumps to blow water on each side of it.
Mechanical cutting: This system uses chains or cutter disks to dig through and remove harder soils,
including boulders,] from below the pipeline.
Plowing: The plowing principle, which was initially used for pre-trenching, has evolved into sophisticated
systems that are lighter in size for faster and safer operation.
Dredging/excavation: In shallower water, the soil can be removed with a dredger or an excavator prior to
laying the pipeline. This can be done in a number of ways, notably with a cutter-suction system, with the use
of buckets or a with a backhoe
A buried pipe is far better protected than a pipe in an open trench.This is commonly done either by covering the
structure with rocks quarried from a nearby shoreline. Alternatively, the soil excavated from the seabed during
trenching can be used as backfill. A significant drawback to burial is the difficulty in locating a leak should it arise,
and for the ensuing repairing operations.
Mattresse
Mattresses may be laid over the pipeline, or both under and over it depending on the substrate.
Frond mattresses have an effect similar to seaweed and tend to cause sand to accumulate. They must be
anchored to the bottom to prevent being washed away.
Concrete mattresses are used to help hold part of the pipeline in place by their weight and reduce scour.
They are usually heavy enough to be held in place by their own weight, as they are made from concrete blocks
linked together by rope.
Combination mattresses of concrete mattress with overlaid frond mattress are also used.
Ground anchors- Clamps holding the pipeline to piles may be used to prevent lateral movement.
Saddle blocks - Precast concrete saddle blocks may be used to provide lateral support and hold the pipeline
down more firmly.
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