el-lay Method to Allow for Direct Tie-in of Pipelines

Per R. Nystrm
1
, Geir Endal
2
, Odd M. Lyngsaunet
1
1 IKM Ocean Design Stavanger, Norway 2 Statoil ASA Oslo, Norway
ABSTRACT
Various methods exist to connect a pipeline end to a platform or a subsea struc
ture. Normally, a separate spool or jumper is used, but a direct tie-in is advan
tageous if this can be used. Different ways of direct subsea tie-ins exist, howe
ver the main challenges with these methods are relatively large forces on the co
nnection and large pipeline stresses close to the connection point. This paper s
hows how application of residual curvature near the end of the pipeline can be u
tilized for direct tie-in of pipelines to subsea structures. This is done by sol
ving the existing direct tie-in challenges with large forces on the connection a
nd large pipeline stresses close to the connection point. Tie-in forces will be
illustrated for the main variables affecting the pipeline tie-in point such as:
soil friction, residual curvature parameters, tie-in and operational loads, var
ious tie-in systems and their requirements. Effect on lay initiation and lay dow
n will be outlined.
KEY WORDS:
Pipeline; reel-lay; straightening; direct; tie-in; residual; curvature.
BACKGROUND
The reel-lay method is frequently used for installation of smaller diameter off
shore pipelines. The installation process involves onshore fabrication of pipe s
ections, loading of the pipe onto the reel ship (spooling on), and finally unree
ling during the offshore installation. The pipeline is normally plastically bent
on the reel and over the aligner, due to which the pipeline runs through a stra
ightener system before leaving the reel ship, ref. Fig. 1. The straightening sc
heme is normally a three point bending system, and the position setting of the s
ystem is hydraulically adjustable, and can be quickly altered as required, e.g.
by change in the pipeline outer diameter. The quick, hydraulic adjustment of the
straightener system can be utilized to create sections with residual curvature
in the pipeline. This method was patented by Statoil in 2002 in Norway, Denmark,
UK and USA. The intention is that these residual curvature sections provide axi
al flexibility in the pipeline similar to an expansioel-lay Method to Allow for
Direct Tie-in of Pipelines
Per R. Nystrm
1
, Geir Endal
2
, Odd M. Lyngsaunet
1
1 IKM Ocean Design Stavanger, Norway 2 Statoil ASA Oslo, Norway
ABSTRACT
Various methods exist to connect a pipeline end to a platform or a subsea struc
ture. Normally, a separate spool or jumper is used, but a direct tie-in is advan
tageous if this can be used. Different ways of direct subsea tie-ins exist, howe
ver the main challenges with these methods are relatively large forces on the co
nnection and large pipeline stresses close to the connection point. This paper s
hows how application of residual curvature near the end of the pipeline can be u
tilized for direct tie-in of pipelines to subsea structures. This is done by sol
ving the existing direct tie-in challenges with large forces on the connection a
nd large pipeline stresses close to the connection point. Tie-in forces will be
illustrated for the main variables affecting the pipeline tie-in point such as:
soil friction, residual curvature parameters, tie-in and operational loads, var
ious tie-in systems and their requirements. Effect on lay initiation and lay dow
n will be outlined.
KEY WORDS:
Pipeline; reel-lay; straightening; direct; tie-in; residual; curvature.
BACKGROUND
The reel-lay method is frequently used for installation of smaller diameter off
shore pipelines. The installation process involves onshore fabrication of pipe s
ections, loading of the pipe onto the reel ship (spooling on), and finally unree
ling during the offshore installation. The pipeline is normally plastically bent
on the reel and over the aligner, due to which the pipeline runs through a stra
ightener system before leaving the reel ship, ref. Fig. 1. The straightening sc
heme is normally a three point bending system, and the position setting of the s
ystem is hydraulically adjustable, and can be quickly altered as required, e.g.
by change in the pipeline outer diameter. The quick, hydraulic adjustment of the
straightener system can be utilized to create sections with residual curvature
in the pipeline. This method was patented by Statoil in 2002 in Norway, Denmark,
UK and USA. The intention is that these residual curvature sections provide axi
al flexibility in the pipeline similar to an expansioel-lay Method to Allow for
Direct Tie-in of Pipelines

Per R. Nystrm
1
, Geir Endal
2
, Odd M. Lyngsaunet
1
1 IKM Ocean Design Stavanger, Norway 2 Statoil ASA Oslo, Norway
ABSTRACT
Various methods exist to connect a pipeline end to a platform or a subsea struc
ture. Normally, a separate spool or jumper is used, but a direct tie-in is advan
tageous if this can be used. Different ways of direct subsea tie-ins exist, howe
ver the main challenges with these methods are relatively large forces on the co
nnection and large pipeline stresses close to the connection point. This paper s
hows how application of residual curvature near the end of the pipeline can be u
tilized for direct tie-in of pipelines to subsea structures. This is done by sol
ving the existing direct tie-in challenges with large forces on the connection a
nd large pipeline stresses close to the connection point. Tie-in forces will be
illustrated for the main variables affecting the pipeline tie-in point such as:
soil friction, residual curvature parameters, tie-in and operational loads, var
ious tie-in systems and their requirements. Effect on lay initiation and lay dow
n will be outlined.
KEY WORDS:
Pipeline; reel-lay; straightening; direct; tie-in; residual; curvature.
BACKGROUND
The reel-lay method is frequently used for installation of smaller diameter off
shore pipelines. The installation process involves onshore fabrication of pipe s
ections, loading of the pipe onto the reel ship (spooling on), and finally unree
ling during the offshore installation. The pipeline is normally plastically bent
on the reel and over the aligner, due to which the pipeline runs through a stra
ightener system before leaving the reel ship, ref. Fig. 1. The straightening sc
heme is normally a three point bending system, and the position setting of the s
ystem is hydraulically adjustable, and can be quickly altered as required, e.g.
by change in the pipeline outer diameter. The quick, hydraulic adjustment of the
straightener system can be utilized to create sections with residual curvature
in the pipeline. This method was patented by Statoil in 2002 in Norway, Denmark,
UK and USA. The intention is that these residual curvature sections provide axi
al flexibility in the pipeline similar to an expansioel-lay Method to Allow for
Direct Tie-in of Pipelines
Per R. Nystrm
1
, Geir Endal
2
, Odd M. Lyngsaunet
1
1 IKM Ocean Design Stavanger, Norway 2 Statoil ASA Oslo, Norway
ABSTRACT
Various methods exist to connect a pipeline end to a platform or a subsea struc
ture. Normally, a separate spool or jumper is used, but a direct tie-in is advan
tageous if this can be used. Different ways of direct subsea tie-ins exist, howe
ver the main challenges with these methods are relatively large forces on the co
nnection and large pipeline stresses close to the connection point. This paper s
hows how application of residual curvature near the end of the pipeline can be u
tilized for direct tie-in of pipelines to subsea structures. This is done by sol
ving the existing direct tie-in challenges with large forces on the connection a
nd large pipeline stresses close to the connection point. Tie-in forces will be
illustrated for the main variables affecting the pipeline tie-in point such as:
soil friction, residual curvature parameters, tie-in and operational loads, var
ious tie-in systems and their requirements. Effect on lay initiation and lay dow
n will be outlined.
KEY WORDS:
Pipeline; reel-lay; straightening; direct; tie-in; residual; curvature.
BACKGROUND
The reel-lay method is frequently used for installation of smaller diameter off
shore pipelines. The installation process involves onshore fabrication of pipe s
ections, loading of the pipe onto the reel ship (spooling on), and finally unree
ling during the offshore installation. The pipeline is normally plastically bent
on the reel and over the aligner, due to which the pipeline runs through a stra
ightener system before leaving the reel ship, ref. Fig. 1. The straightening sc
heme is normally a three point bending system, and the position setting of the s
ystem is hydraulically adjustable, and can be quickly altered as required, e.g.
by change in the pipeline outer diameter. The quick, hydraulic adjustment of the
straightener system can be utilized to create sections with residual curvature
in the pipeline. This method was patented by Statoil in 2002 in Norway, Denmark,
UK and USA. The intention is that these residual curvature sections provide axi
al flexibility in the pipeline similar to an expansioel-lay Method to Allow for
Direct Tie-in of Pipelines
Per R. Nystrm
1
, Geir Endal
2
, Odd M. Lyngsaunet
1
1 IKM Ocean Design Stavanger, Norway 2 Statoil ASA Oslo, Norway
ABSTRACT
Various methods exist to connect a pipeline end to a platform or a subsea struc
ture. Normally, a separate spool or jumper is used, but a direct tie-in is advan
tageous if this can be used. Different ways of direct subsea tie-ins exist, howe
ver the main challenges with these methods are relatively large forces on the co
nnection and large pipeline stresses close to the connection point. This paper s
hows how application of residual curvature near the end of the pipeline can be u
tilized for direct tie-in of pipelines to subsea structures. This is done by sol
ving the existing direct tie-in challenges with large forces on the connection a
nd large pipeline stresses close to the connection point. Tie-in forces will be
illustrated for the main variables affecting the pipeline tie-in point such as:
soil friction, residual curvature parameters, tie-in and operational loads, var
ious tie-in systems and their requirements. Effect on lay initiation and lay dow
n will be outlined.
KEY WORDS:
Pipeline; reel-lay; straightening; direct; tie-in; residual; curvature.
BACKGROUND
The reel-lay method is frequently used for installation of smaller diameter off
shore pipelines. The installation process involves onshore fabrication of pipe s
ections, loading of the pipe onto the reel ship (spooling on), and finally unree
ling during the offshore installation. The pipeline is normally plastically bent
on the reel and over the aligner, due to which the pipeline runs through a stra
ightener system before leaving the reel ship, ref. Fig. 1. The straightening sc
heme is normally a three point bending system, and the position setting of the s
ystem is hydraulically adjustable, and can be quickly altered as required, e.g.
by change in the pipeline outer diameter. The quick, hydraulic adjustment of the
straightener system can be utilized to create sections with residual curvature
in the pipeline. This method was patented by Statoil in 2002 in Norway, Denmark,
UK and USA. The intention is that these residual curvature sections provide axi
al flexibility in the pipeline similar to an expansio