Published: June 2000 | IBC 5th Annual Conference “Advances in Riser Technologies” | June 5, 2000 | Aberdeen, Scotland
Abstract
This paper discusses how unbonded flexible pipe technology has overcome the challenges of floating production systems in deep water and continues to be the pioneer for ultra deep water riser system solutions. Since flexible pipe is a multi-layer structure of helically wound metallic wires and tapes and extruded thermoplastics, greater structural utilisation is achieved by considering the integrated design of the layers in its make-up. Reference is made to functional design techniques to illustrate the advantages of using hybrid unbonded flexible risers to span the water column. Continued with an overview of the solutions provided to overcome some of the other ultra deep water challenges such as axial compression during installation, to the development of flow assurance techniques to overcome temperature issues during operation and shutdown, are addressed herein. Finally, an insight into the research and development program which led to Wellstream being the leaders in qualification of conventional flexible pipe technology in water depths of 2000m is given.
Authors:
Tuohy, J., Fraser, D.
Justin Tuohy | @pen 