Pipelines / Structures in Harsh

Environments

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 1

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 2
IMVPA Overview

IMV Projects Atlantic (IMVPA) is a Project Management, Engineering,

Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) Company located in St.
Johns, Newfoundland, offering a complete range of multi-discipline services to
our domestic and international clients, including:
Arctic Pipelines
Offshore Structures
Marine Pipelines & Risers
Mooring Systems
Oil and Gas Facilities
Mechanical Engineering
Piping Design
Process Engineering
Naval Architecture
Subsea Production Systems

R&D
Conceptual to Detailed Design
Advanced Analyses
February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 3
Experience Frontier & Offshore

Arctic Structures Risers and Moorings Pipelines

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 4

Frontier Pipelines & Facilities

Selected Experience of IMVPA Personnel

Alaskan Pipeline Conceptual Studies
Shell International

Arctic Exploration and Production Options

Minerals Management Service (MMS)

Arctic Structure/ Pipeline Concepts

Confidential

Offshore Arctic Pipeline Technical Assessment

ConocoPhillips (via INTEC)

Aboveground vs Buried Arctic Pipelines

Environment Canada

Sakhalin I Project, Russia

ExxonNeftegas Limited

Northstar Project, Beaufort Sea

BP Exploration Alaska

Liberty Project, Beaufort Sea

BP Exploration Alaska

Lake Erie Millenium Project

TransCanada Pipelines Limited

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 5

Arctic Pipeline Design Issues

Route Selection and Optimization

Wall Thickness
Pipeline Stability
Ice Keel Protection
Hydraulic Scour Potential
Settlement/Heave Potential
Upheaval Buckling Potential
Trenching and Backfilling
Allowable Strain Limits
Thermal Expansion
Cathodic Protection, Corrosion
Protection and Coatings
February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 6
Arctic Pipeline Design Issues

Platform Approach and Tie-In

Shore Crossing
Materials Selection
Overland Pipeline Design
Valving Requirements
Leak Detection
Pipeline / Flowline Architecture
Environmental Concerns
Operations, Maintenance and Repair
Constructability
Schedule

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 7

Northstar Development
Northstar Development (Alaska) British Petroleum Exploration (Alaska)
Design, construction, and installation of the worlds first subsea Arctic
production pipeline.
Engineering analysis pertaining to ice gouging, strudel scour, thaw settlement,
upheaval buckling, and construction.
The Northstar pipelines were installed in the Spring of 2000 and first oil
achieved in the fall of 2001.

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 8

Arctic Onshore Pipeline Design

Expansion Loop Design

Pipeline Vertical Support Members
(VSMs)
Tuned Vibration Absorbers
Shore Crossing
Island Design
Putuligayak (Put) River Crossing
Road and Caribou Crossings

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 9

Offshore Loading Conditions

Seabed Ice Gouging

Subsea Permafrost Thaw

Subsidence

Strudel Scour

Upheaval Buckling

Vertical Stability

Cathodic Protection

Limit State Design Applied

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 10

Offshore Pipeline Design

Pipe Outside Diameter 273.1

273.1 mmmm (10.75
(10.75 in.)
in.)
Pipe Wall Thickness 15.1
15.1 mm
mm (0.594
(0.594 in.)
in.)
Pipeline D/t 18
18
Steel Grade API
API 5L
5L Grade
Grade X52 X52 (358
(358 MPa)
MPa)
Pipe Manufacture Seamless,
Seamless, 12
12 m m (40
(40 ft)
ft) Joint
Joint Lengths
Lengths
Coating 1.0
1.0 mm
mm (40
(40 mils)
mils) Dual
Dual Layer
Layer FBE
FBE
Cathodic Protection Aluminum
Aluminum Sacrificial
Sacrificial Anodes
Anodes
Pipe SG 1.60
1.60 with
with respect
respect toto Seawater
Seawater
Length 22 Pipe
Pipe Bundles
Bundles @@ 9.79.7 km
km (6.0
(6.0 miles)
miles) Long
Long
Water Depth 00 11.3
11.3 mm (0
(0 37
37 feet)
feet)
Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure 10.2
10.2 MPa
MPa (1480
(1480 psig)
psig)
Maximum Oil Throughput 7,750
7,750 m m33/day
/day (65,000
(65,000 bbl/day
bbl/day
Maximum Gas Throughput 2,830,000
2,830,000 m m33/day
/day (100
(100 mmscfd
mmscfd))

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 11

Design Issue - Ice Gouging

Arctic offshore pipelines need protection

from ice keels (= trenching)
As the ice keel passes over the pipeline,
stresses are applied to the soil
Subgouge deformation can impose
forces / deformation on the pipeline
Design ice gouge depth can then be
estimated for a specific return period
Subgouge deformations can be
estimated
Strain in the pipeline depends on the
pipeline properties, soil characteristics,
depth of the design ice gouge, and burial
depth

Finite element analyses can be carried out to assess pipeline strains

Pipeline must be trenched sufficiently to limit strains to acceptable limits
February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 12
Ice Gouging Data

Northstar pipeline route relatively

sheltered
10 years of data
Deepest gouge = 0.6m
Gouge recurrence rate = 4.7 new
gouges/km/year
100-year return period event = 1.0m

Photo Credit: Coastal Frontiers Corporation

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 13

Analysis of Ice Gouging

3.5

6
3

2.5
5

4
1.5

3 1

0.5
2
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
1

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 14

Analysis of Ice Gouging

Subgouge deformations can be

estimated.

Soil displacements are a function of:

Depth below seabed
Soil type
Gouge depth
Gouge width
Orientation

Parametric equations define

Estimated soil displacements on the

order of 1.1 to 1.2m.

Diagram Credit: Nixon Geotech Ltd.

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 15

Analysis of Ice Gouging

Longitudinal
spring/slider
Soil
Horizontal displacement
spring/slider ky kx
elements

kz
ky

kz
Vertical
spring/slider
elements

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 16

Design Issue Thaw Settlement

Thawing of ice rich permafrost can result in loss of soil strength, excessive
settlement, free standing water, and accelerated surface erosion
Geotechnical investigations provide information including thaw strain potential
Geothermal analyses carried out to predict the thaw bulb extent
Finite element analyses carried out to ensure pipeline strains acceptable
BACKFILLED TRENCH PREDICTED SOIL SETTLEMENT

SEA LEVEL

SEABED

DEPTH OF
COVER
PREDICTED PIPE
SETTLEMENT THAW SENSITIVE SILT
AND SAND PERMAFROST

INITIAL PIPE
INSTALLATION
POSITION

273.1mm OIL 273.1mm GAS

PIPELINE PIPELINE

PREDICTED THAW BULB

THAW STABLE SAND AFTER 20 YEARS
AND GRAVEL PERMAFROST

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 17

Effect of Thaw Subsidence

Diagram Credit: Nixon Geotech Ltd.

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 18

Design Issue - Upheaval Buckling

When a buried steel pipeline is operated at a temperature and pressure greater

than experienced during installation, it will try to expand
Buried pipeline may have some residual vertical curvature or props
Effect of axial force will try to buckle the pipeline upward at the props
The pipeline may move upwards and may become exposed
Increases the risk of contact by
ice keels
Analysis carried out to
determine the backfill
properties and thickness
Select backfill, gravel or
mattresses may be required
Engineering should define a
maximum allowable prop

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 19

Design Issue - Strudel (Hydraulic) Scour

Diagram Credit: Minerals Management Service

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 20

Design Issue - Limit State / Strain Based Design

Offshore arctic pipelines, which rely on

trenching and backfilling for protection, need to
be deep enough to withstand environmental
design conditions (e.g. ice gouging), but not so
deep as to be impossible to construct or make
the project uneconomical
A solution, therefore, is to design the pipeline
based on strain rather then stress
Codes define stress-based pipelines at 0.80
SMYS (0.2% strain), but do allow alternative
design methods to be used providing the
design has been validated
Limit state design is an upper bound design
approach whereby the various potential failure
mechanisms are evaluated
The pipeline failure mechanism that has the
lowest initiation strain is then selected as the
governing condition and will dictate the design
strain
February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 21
Limit State / Strain Based Design
Allowable strain levels are based on pipe dimensions and material grade,
and account for pipe out-of-roundness, maximum pipeline butt weld defect
sizes, and residual pipe strains due to installation.
Full-scale bend test programs and laboratory testing may be required
Northstar pipelines were designed for a 1.2% operating bending strain
criterion with a 1.8% strain criterion for extreme events. Sakhalin was 4% for
extreme.

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 22

Pipeline Trenching Requirements

THICKENED ICE SHEET

SEA LEVEL SHOAL AREA POINT STORKERSEN

0

5 BACKFILL
WATER
WATER DEPTH (m)

10

UNDISTURBED SOIL
PIPELINES
15

2.7m DEPTH 2.1m DEPTH 1.8m DEPTH

OF COVER OF COVER OF COVER
20
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

STATION (km)

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 23

Shore Crossing Design Considerations

Shoreline
Shoreline Erosion
Erosion
Ice
Ice Ride
Ride Up/Pile
Up/Pile Up
Up
Thaw
Thaw Subsidence
Subsidence ofof Offshore
Offshore
Pipeline
Pipeline
24-inch
24-inch Differential
Differential Settlement
Settlement
Between
Between Offshore
Offshore and
and Onshore
Onshore
Offshore
Offshore and
and Onshore
Onshore Pipeline
Pipeline
Expansion
Expansion
Offshore/Onshore
Offshore/Onshore Transition
Transition

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 24

Island Design Considerations

Ice
Ice Ride
Ride Up
Up and
and Pile
Pile Up
Up
Thaw
Thaw Subsidence
Subsidence of of
Offshore
Offshore Pipeline
Pipeline
Less
Less Than
Than 6-inches
6-inches
Differential
Differential Settlement
Settlement
Between
Between Offshore
Offshore and
and
Island
Island Piping
Piping
Offshore
Offshore and
and Island
Island Pipeline
Pipeline
Expansion
Expansion
Offshore/Island
Offshore/Island Transition
Transition

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 25

Pipeline Leak Detection

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 26

Design Conclusions

Safety and design verification were the highest priority.

Ice gouge and permafrost thaw subsidence were the primary environmental
loading conditions.
Strudel scour and upheaval buckling were not controlling load cases.
Limit state design permitted more accurate predictions of potential failure
mechanisms.
This allowed a significant reduction in pipeline trenching requirements and
facilitated construction.
Operating procedures can reduce the potential for or volume of a spill.
Successful winter, ice-based construction.

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 27

Northstar Development

Unique Aspects
Worlds first subsea Arctic production pipeline

Limit state design for ice gouge and thaw settlement

Prototype leak detection system

On-ice construction

Challenges
Permitting & Interaction with Government and Regulatory Bodies

Meeting the conditions put on the project by Government and Regulatory Bodies

Demonstration of limit state design

Interaction with Non Governmental Organization (NGOs)

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 28

Sakhalin 1 Project
ExxonMobil development
off the east coast of
Sakhalin Island, Russia
275kBD
Okha Hydraulics
RUSSIA Seismic
r Ice Conditions
i ve
u rR SAKHALIN De-Kastri Export
Am ISLAND Terminal is a 1,300kbbl
storage facility capable of
loading a dedicated
tanker fleet at a peak
Yuzhno-
rate of 45,000 bbls/hr
Sakhalinsk from a single point
mooring (SPM) located
HOKKAIDO
6km offshore.
JAPAN

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 29

Sakhalin 1 Pipelines and Flowlines

Pipelines Ice Regime

Offshore N.E, Sakhalin is a Dynamic First Year Sea Ice Environment
Near Shore Ice Zone - Level Ice, Rafted Ice & Ice Rubble Build Up
Offshore Ice Zone - Pressure Ridge, Rubble Field & Stamukha
Two Tier Design Approach Adopted (In Accordance With PSDC
Design Ice Gouge Event: No Extensive Repairs & Minimal
operational Interruption: Return Period 200 Years
Extreme Ice Gouge Event: Extensive Pipe Damage & Operational
Disruption But No Pipe Rupture: Return Period 2000 Years
Offshore Pipeline Burial Provides Protection From Direct Ice Contact &
Loads Resulting From Ice Keel Interaction With Seabed

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 30

Sakhalin 1 Pipelines and Flowlines

Pipelines Seismic Design

Sakhalin I Project Area is an Active Seismic Region
Primary Seismic Hazards Are:
Three Active Fault Crossings Along Chayvo DeKastri Export Pipeline
Soil Liquefaction, Particulary East Flank Of Sakhalin Island
Landslide or Lateral Spread, Predominantly At River/Stream Banks
Two Tier Design Approach Adopted (In Accordance With PSDC)
Strength Level Earthquake (SLE): Minimal Interruption to Normal
Operation & No Extensive Repairs: Return Period For SLE Event
200 Years
Ductility Level Earthquake (DLE): Extensive Damage & Disruption of
Operations But No Rupture of Pipeline: Return Period For DLE 1000
& 2000 Years for Onshore & Offshore Pipelines Respectively
February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 31
Sakhalin 1 Pipelines and Flowlines

Orlan Platform
36-inch multiphase flow line
hyperbaric tie-in
24-inch gas reinjection line
hyperbaric tie-in.
Sleeves under erosion protection
for future line.
Design and installation of erosion
protection

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 32

De-Kastri Export Terminal

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 33

De-Kastri Export Terminal

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 34

De-Kastri Export Terminal

Unique Aspects
SPM

Ice Gouge Design

Ice on pipe analysis

Challenges
Permitting

Interfaces

Shore crossing

Assessment of ice gouge events (burial depth)

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 35

Arctic Offshore Pipeline Technology
Arctic Offshore Pipeline Design Issues
Arctic Offshore Pipeline Construction Issues
Arctic Offshore Pipeline Installation
Operations, Maintenance, and Repair
Gaps & Areas of Potential Technological Advancement

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 36

Offshore Pipeline Opportunities
Pipeline Engineering (Arctic and non-Arctic)
Advanced Numerical Analysis
Pipeline Installation/Construction
Risers & Moorings
Mechanical Engineering
Subsea Engineering

White Rose Disconnect

February, 2008 IMV Projects Atlantic 37