Flexible Pipes: An Overview from Design to Installation

Several different pipeline technologies can be used for developing offshore oil and gas field. The choice of pipeline technology has a significant impact on the detailed design, project schedule, and construction/installation cost. The pipeline technology selection is usually related to technical, commercial, and field development strategy and/or operator precedence. Flexible pipe solution is widely used in offshore field development being Brazil the largest market. This chapter presents an overview of flexible pipe from a brief history (section “Brief History”) of its origin as a product for the offshore industry and its development over the last 50+ years. Section “Environment Where Flexible Pipes Are Inserted and Their Main Applications” presents the environment in which these pipes are inserted and their main functions. Section “Flexible Pipe Body – Layer By Layer” provides an overview of the main layers, materials, and flexible pipe types. From these concepts, the chapter evolves presenting in sequence: flexible pipes design, manufacturing, and installation. Note 1: Unbonded flexible pipe, as defined in API 17J, “Pipe construction consists of separate unbonded polymeric and metallic layers, which allows relative movement between layers.”