De-risking offshore installation of flexibles and umbilicals through the use of

detailed global analysis modelling

Chris Jones

www.xodusgroup.com
Installation Analysis

Global Analysis Installation

Analysis
> Using FEA software to model the
different stages of the installation of
a subsea product

Lay Tables Environmental

> Static and Dynamic Behavior e.g. Limits
– Tension in the winch
– Tension in the
pipeline/flexible/umbilical
– Bending / Moments / Procedure
Curvatures
Installation Analysis

Installation Analysis Software

Programs

> OrcaFlex

> Flexcom / Pipelay OrcaFlex www.orcina.com

> Riflex / Simo

> Offpipe (Rigid Pipelay)

Flexcom
http://www.mcskenny.com/software-solutions/flexcom.html
Installation Analysis

“Typical” Analysis of a Flexible Flowline or Umbilical

> Lowering to the seabed
> Land the 1st End Termination
> Normal pipelay
> Lower the 2nd End
> Land the 2nd End

Also
> J-Tube Pull-Ins
> Riser Pull-In (e.g. pull in to FPSO)
> etc
Example

Riser Pull-In To FPSO

Example

Riser Laydown
Example

Riser Laydown – Lay Table

Riser Minimum
Vessel Position Riser Payout A&R Payout Tensioner A&R Wire Load
Step Bend Radius
(m) (m) (m) Load (Tonnes) (Tonnes)
(m)
1 175 355 - 24.6 - 32
2 275 650 - 44.5 - 50
3 400 900 - 12.8 - 62
4 540 1200 - 37.2 - 48
5 570 1400 - 59.5 - 42
6 610 (1400) 250 - 74 45
7 620 (1400) 425 - 75 42
8 760 (1400) 575 - 60 33
9 890 (1400) 740 - 42 18
Experience from Installation Analysis

The main part of the installation process often provides low risk to the product

> Installation operations with the product in the water are often relatively
straightforward e.g. lowering and laying the product
> Large MBRs
> Wide range of payout and vessel position possible without damaging the product
> Good safety margin

Higher risk is during deck handling, initiation, landing and tie-in operations

> The devil is in the detail!

Example

Deck Handling and Overboarding

> An umbilical is stored on a reel or

carousel on the back of the
installation vessel

> The umbilical path from the

carousel to the water during lay is
usually controlled by a series of
sheaves and chutes

> However to get the end fittings

into the water, they need to be
freely lifted
– High risk to the product!!
Example

Deck Handling

Overboarding
Chute

Carousel Deck
Deflector
Deck
Tensioner

Umbilical
Path

Installation Vessel Aft Deck

Example

Deck Handling
Example

Deck Handling
Example

Deck Handling
Example

Deck Handling
Example

Deck Handling
Example

Deck Handling
Example

Deck Handling
Example

Deck Handling
Example

Deck Handling
Example

Deck Handling – Dynamics – Pendulum Effects

Double Pendulums
Example

Deck Handling – Dynamics – Pendulum Effects

> Limit the sea state if

needed to ensure
dynamic motion does
not damage the product

> Limit Hs (amplitude) or

Tp (avoid resonant
periods)

> MRU Direct Crane Tip

Measurement

> Irregular Waves

Pendulum Effect!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD8y7Slx2ow
Example

Deck Handling 2nd End From Carousel To Splash Zone

Example

Vertical Lay System – Lift End Fitting Over Tower

Example

PLET Laydown

Pipelay
Initiation Pipeline
Vessel
Anchor Wire

PLET PLET
Example

PLET Laydown – Detailed Model

Detailed Model

> Yoke Swivel Model

> Accurate COF and COB

> Detailed Drag Coefficients

and Added Mass Estimates

Observation – snatch loading in the

initiation wire
Example

PLET Laydown – Simplified Model

Simplifed Model

> PLET modelled simply as a line

> No yoke – initiation wire
connected direct to end of
PLET element
> Drag and added mass not
modelled In detail
> Submerged weight correct

Static configuration correct but

poor dynamic analysis
Example

PLET Laydown
In Summary….

Buoyancy Rigging

Crane Block
Hydrodynamic
CoG
Properties

Bend Tri-Plate /
Installation Better Restrictors/
Rigging /
Equipment
Definition Stiffener /
Uraduct Lifting Tool

End
Bend
Fitting
Restrictors

Reduced Higher Buoyancy

Risk Sea State
Thank you

All offshore images kindly supplied by Ocean Installer

www.xodusgroup.com