Rigid Offshore Pipelines

The rigid offshore pipelines chapter addresses the activities to be developed during the design phase of a rigid offshore pipeline including its static and dynamic sections, namely, flowline and riser, respectively. It includes the description of the main input data to be gathered that will support the pipeline design as the fluid characteristics, pipeline operational data, geophysical, geotechnical, and metocean information that will compose and complete the design basis of the project. Also, recommendations related to the selection of the metallic material for the line pipes itself and the pipeline components are included. The pipeline design activities are described in detail starting with the pipeline thickness of the flowline for internal and external scenarios, riser analysis considering global analysis, extreme loads, fatigue, VIV (vortex induction vibration), interface and interferences, pipeline stability analysis and mitigations, expansion, global buckling and walking analysis with its possible mitigation measures, route selection, free span analysis and its solutions, and types of coatings to be applied on pipes. It is also described the installation methods as it imposes high loads to pipeline during laying and affects the pipe design. Finally, it is described the pre-commissioning phase and the activities that prepares the pipeline for starting the operation.