PIPELINE ROUTING

STUDIES

PRESENTED BY

Godwin Irabor

Purpose of this Lecture

To give an introduction to subsea pipelines routing
Mitigation of Routing challenges

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Pipeline Routing: Key Definitions

Target for the shortest distance

between respective end points after
taking into consideration all the
influencing factors
Detailed technical and economic
evaluation of the alternative route
options in order to derive the optimum
pipeline route
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Pipeline Routing: Key Input Data

Key Input Design Data:

Regulatory Authority requirements
Strategic co-ordinates (platforms, wellheads,
landfall, existing or planned pipelines, umbilicals,
cables subsea and/or other subsea structures)
Other operator blocks if crossed by pipeline route
Vessel anchor patterns
Admiralty charts
Available route survey and geotechnical data
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Pipeline Routing
Routing exercise needs to be performed at an early stage
in project as it is input to several activities that follows:

Linepipe procurement
Survey corridor requirements
Spools / tie-ins
Crossings etc

Proper planning of pipeline route is critical - poor route

evaluation (and re-routing) can result in increased
expenses later in project

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Pipeline Routing

The routing of pipeline needs to consider:

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Approach to platform (risers) / subsea structure

Political / regulatory restrictions
Infrastructure (platforms, other pipelines, cables etc)
Environmental issues
Seabed topography (avoid freespans etc)
Pipelay restrictions (deep / shallow water)
Other restrictions (fishing, military areas, dangerous
areas)

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Pipeline Routing

Avoiding seabed features

Ormen Lange,
Norwegian Sea
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Pipeline Routing

Limited lay corridor due to topography and other pipelines

Ormen Lange,
Norwegian West Coast
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Pipeline Routing

Approach to platform

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Pipeline Routing

If severe routing is required the lateral lay curve

needs to be checked. Simplified formula relating
the pipeline weight, tension in pipe and friction:
R=(F/W*)*SF

R: Lateral radius the pipeline can be laid in

F: Tension in pipeline
W: Submerged weight of pipeline
: Friction Factor
SF: Safety Factor
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