Reliability analysis of wake-induced collision of flexible risers

Collision between risers is an important design and operational concern, especially in deep water since the probability of collision tends to increase as the riser length increases. Riser collision is due to the joint effects of many processes, i.e. environmental loads, hydrodynamic interference and surface floater motions and the most of them are stochastic processes. This paper provides an approach for estimating the failure probability of riser collision by considering these joint effects and their stochastic nature. Firstly, a procedure for establishing the distribution function of the extreme minimum relative distance between two risers is introduced based on simulation tools and statistical data. Numerical simulation is performed to compute the minimum distance between risers for a given duration. Repeated simulations are applied so that the extreme value distribution can be established. Secondly, reliability analysis is performed by considering the uncertainties of input parameters related to environmental loads and riser system. The collision probability is calculated based on both the First/Second Order Reliability Method and the Monte Carlo simulation techniques.     

Enhanced multi-layer fatigue-analysis approach for unbonded flexible risers

This paper proposes an enhanced approach for evaluating the fatigue life of each metallic layer of unbonded flexible risers. Owing to the complex structure of unbonded flexible risers and the nonlinearity of the system, particularly in the critical touchdown zone, the traditional method is insufficient for accurately evaluating the fatigue life of these risers. The main challenge lies in the transposition from global to local analyses, which is a key stage for the fatigue analysis of flexible pipes owing to their complex structure. The new enhanced approach derives a multi-layer stress-decomposition method to meet this challenge. In this study, a numerical model validated experimentally is used to demonstrate the accuracy of the stress-decomposition method. And a numerical case is studied to validate the proposed approach. The results demonstrate that the multi-layer stress-decomposition method is accurate, and the fatigue lives of the metallic layers predicted by the enhanced multi-layer analysis approach are rational. The proposed fatigue-analysis approach provides a practical and reasonable method for predicting fatigue life in the design of unbonded flexible risers.     

Behavior of unbonded flexible risers subject to axial tension

Owing to nonlinear contact problems with slip and friction, a lot of limiting assumptions are made when developing analytical models to simulate the behavior of an unbonded flexible riser. Meanwhile, in order to avoid convergence problems and excessive calculating time associated with running the detailed finite element （FE） model of an unbonded flexible riser, interlocked carcass and zeta layers with complicated cross section shapes are replaced by simple geometrical shapes （e.g. hollow cylindrical shell） with equivalent orthotropic materials. But the simplified model does not imply the stresses equivalence of these two layers. To solve these problems, based on ABAQUS/Explicit, a numerical method that is suitable for the detailed FE model is proposed. In consideration of interaction among all component layers, the axial stiffness of an eight-layer unbonded flexible riser subjected to axial tension is predicted. Compared with analytical and experimental results, it is shown that the proposed numerical method not only has high accuracy but also can substantially reduce the calculating time. In addition, the impact of the lay angle of helical tendons on axial stiffness is discussed.     

On the response of flexible risers to loads imposed by hydraulic collars

Even though hydraulic collars are largely used to install flexible risers, neither the loads imposed by this equipment nor the response of the risers to these loads have been previously studied. Hence, this paper presents a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) model to predict the response of flexible risers to loads imposed by hydraulic collars and also provides a set of equations to predict these loads. The FE model relies on an analogy between helical tendons and orthotropic shells to simulate the inner carcass and the pressure armour of flexible risers. Shell elements are used to represent the polymeric layers and three-dimensional beam elements simulate the wires of the tensile armours. Material, geometric and contact nonlinearities are addressed. Contact interactions between the layers of the riser are handled by surface to surface contact elements with a contact detection algorithm based on the pinball technique and contact forces evaluated with the augmented Lagrangian method. A 9.5″ flexible riser is analyzed and the numerical results are compared to those from the experimental tests. The agreement between all results indicates that the proposed FE model is an efficient approach to predict the response of flexible risers to loads imposed by hydraulic collars and, moreover, may be used to analyze the response of such structures to other types of loads.     

陡波型柔性立管浮力块参数优化及应用

浮力块分布和外径等参数直接影响柔性立管在环境载荷作用下的动力响应,对某深水柔性立管进行陡波型布置,开展时域内的整体动态有限元分析,得到浮力块分布和外径对柔性立管动力响应的影响规律,表明浮力块参数是陡波型柔性立管整体设计的一个重要因素。立管动力响应是弯曲加强器的设计载荷,根据上述规律,构造具有不同浮力块参数的柔性立管模型,进行多工况动态分析,通过对比弯曲加强器设计载荷对(T,θ)的散点图,得到弯曲加强器设计载荷优化方法及最优设计载荷。     

质量比对柔性立管涡激振动影响实验研究

质量比是影响海洋立管涡激振动的一个重要因素.通过在室内物理实验中使立管模型内部分别充填空气、水和沙来改变立管的质量比,从而研究质量比对柔性细长立管涡激振动的影响.实验结果表明:在相同流速下,质量比大的立管模型所激起的模态更高.在低约化速度区域,空管和水管的涡激振动响应频率与涡脱落频率相同,沙管的响应频率则与自振频率更接近,三种质量比立管的响应位移较接近;在高约化速度区域,三种质量比的立管模型的响应频率处于自振频率和涡脱落频率之间,但空管的响应频率随约化速度的增大而不断增大,同一流速下,质量比大的立管模型响应位移小,其中空管的涡激振动响应一直处于大振幅的锁定状态下.共振区域对应约化速度的范围随着质量比增大而减小.     

Nonlinear dynamic analysis of deep water risers

The paper presents a theoretical and numerical approach to the dynamical behaviour of risers in deep water which takes into account two types of nonlinearity; that due to viscous drag forces and that due to the large displacements of the riser when submitted to strong axial loads. As the second nonlinearity may have a significant influence upon the behaviour of risers in deep water, a method for automatically updating the structural geometry during the dynamic analysis is given. A computer programme has been written for this purpose.     

Hydrodynamics of an oscillating articulated eel-like structure

This study examines the hydrodynamic performance of a highly simplified eel-like structure consisting of three articulated segments with the two aft segments oscillating. A physical model was built and tested to determine the forces developed with the model stationary, to find the self-propulsion speed, and to explore the effect on hydrodynamic performance of different swimming patterns. It was found that hydrodynamic performance increases with increasing oscillation frequency; the highest forces when stationary, and the highest self-propulsion speeds were produced by swimming patterns in which the amplitude in the aft segment is larger than that in the forward segment, and in which the motion of the aft segment lags the forward segment.A simple semi-empirical model based on Morison’s equation was implemented to predict the hydrodynamic forces. This was shown to predict mean thrust well in cases in which the aft segment oscillates in phase with the forward segment, but less reliably when the phase difference between the segments increases. Force time histories are generally not well-predicted using this approach. Nonetheless, self-propulsion speeds are predicted within 30% in all cases examined.     

Hydroelastic response of marine risers subjected to internal slug-flow

It is the purpose of this study to investigate the dynamic behaviour of catenary pipelines for marine applications, assuming the combined effect of harmonic motions imposed at the top, and the internal slug-flow. The analysis is based on the assumption of a steady slug-flow inside the pipe that results in a relatively simplified model for the formulation of the internal flow. The slug-flow model is described using several assumptions and empirical correlations which attempt to reveal the ill-understood and concealed properties of the slug-flow. The pipeline dynamics are investigated in the two dimensional space omitting the out-of-plane vibrations. The system of differential equations is generic and accounts for the steady effect of the internal liquid as is conveyed through the structure.The two models, those of the internal slug-flow and the pipeline’s dynamical model, are properly combined through the internal flow terms of the dynamic equilibrium system. The solution provided is achieved using a frequency domain technique which is applied to the linearized governing set. The effect of the slug-flow is assessed through comparative computations with and without internal flow effects. The conclusions are drawn having the structure excited under axial and normal motions paying particular attention to the variation of the dynamic components along the complete length of the pipeline.     

超大型海洋浮式储油系统的风险评估

对超大型海洋浮式储油系统的危险灾害识别、失效概率计算、失效后果评估、风险准则评定和风险管理决策等几个主要步骤进行了风险分析,计算结果为在设置防坡堤情况下,储油船漂移的概率为2 217×10-6,沉没的概率为6 778×10-8,结构损坏的概率为6 300×10-7,总的经济损失为70万人民币;在未设置防波堤的情况下,储油船漂移的概率为3 167×10-3,沉没的概率为9 683×10-5,结构损坏的概率为9 000×10-4,总的经济损失为9 91亿人民币。结果表明,采取合理的措施,如在储油船系泊地点设置防波堤,以降低风险水平是十分必要的。     

The dynamic response of a three-leg articulated tower

Articulated towers are a compliant type of platform particularly suited for deep water applications. In the design of articulated towers, it is very important that the motion characteristics include sufficient stability, less acceleration in the deck and the smallest possible loading on the articulated joint. The mass distribution along the tower also plays an important role in the motion characteristics of the tower. Multi-leg articulated towers with three or more towers (legs or shafts), which have been developed from the conventional single tower have reduced horizontal movements and have more deck area compared to the single-leg articulated towers. The experimental and analytical investigations on such towers are not available in the published literature. In this paper, both analytical treatment and an experimental program for a three-leg articulated tower model have been reported. The effect of mass distributions on the variations of the bending moment and the deck accelerations are also presented. The model has been tested in a 2 m wave flume for various wave frequencies and wave heights of regular waves. The model is also analysed using a computer program developed, and the comparison of theoretical results with the experimental results is presented.     

深水钻井隔水管避台撤离动力与长度优化

钻井平台作业过程中遭遇强台风时,可能由于种种原因导致隔水管未被完全回收,平台只能下挂隔水管实施撤离。撤离过程中隔水管受到强烈的海流载荷作用,使平台的撤离航向与航速受到严重限制。提出隔水管避台撤离分析方法,建立软硬两种悬挂模式下撤离隔水管有限元模型,进行不同航向与航速下的隔水管悬挂撤离分析,研究隔水管悬挂撤离作业窗口,并对隔水管悬挂长度进行优化。分析表明,隔水管软悬挂撤离作业窗口较大,推荐平台采用软悬挂模式进行撤离,如不具备软悬挂实施条件,提前回收部分隔水管并将其余部分硬悬挂在平台上进行撤离也是一种可行的方案。     

Parametric interpolation method for probabilistic fatigue analysis of steel risers

Slender marine structures such as mooring lines and risers are susceptible to failures due to stress variations coming from environmental actions. Wave, wind and current are random phenomena, and consequently the most adequate methodology to estimate the fatigue damage accumulation on these structures is the probabilistic fatigue analysis. In practice, the estimation of fatigue life requires the numerical simulation of a huge number of loading cases to compute the multi-dimensional integral of the total fatigue damage.This paper presents an efficient approach to compute the long-term fatigue damage of marine structures. The proposed method needs only a few number of numerical simulations to estimate the structure fatigue life. It uses a parametric interpolation procedure to evaluate the fatigue damage for any individual short-term condition (sea state) required in the calculation of the multi-dimensional integral. In this way, the total number of short-term structural analyzes is considerably reduced.The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method is compared to the full direct integration by means of two comprehensive examples. The first studied case is an idealized theoretical model of a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system under wave loading, and the second one is a Steel Catenary Riser (SCR) connected to a FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading floating unit).     

Numerical and experimental analysis of the static behavior of highly deformed risers

This paper models a slender, flexible structure used as a drill string or riser in the offshore oil and gas industry that connects the well-head with a floating control vessel. These systems are used in deep-water drilling applications and present considerable design challenges due to their extreme flexibility and susceptibility to buckling and vibration. Two typical configurations are used (Bai and Bai, 2005), with a common feature involving the attachment of a buoy designed to relieve some of the axial forces acting on the riser, especially at the attachment points. Previous work by the authors studied numerical results of small-amplitude vibrations and two other equilibrium configurations using parameter values that closely resemble the full-scale application (Santillan et al., 2008). Here, two new configurations are considered, and experiments are designed and conducted to verify these equilibrium results.     

Dynamic response of marine risers by single wave and spectral analysis methods

This paper uses the Galerkin method in the solution of the marine riser differential equation and compares the dynamic bending stresses in a tension-leg-platform riser calculated by the linearised single wave and linearised spectral analysis methods.The results show that it is possible to make some rational assessment of approximate peak values of bending stress in the spectral method.The analysis methods are applicable to any riser system subject to horizontal exciting forces due to fluid and vessel motion.     

Nonplanar multi-modal vibrations of fluid-conveying risers under shear cross flows

Risers/pipes conveying fluid are a typical kind of slender structures commonly used in marine engineering. It is of great academic significance and application value for us to evaluate and understand the vibration characteristics and nonlinear responses of these risers under the combined action of internal and external fluid flows. In this paper, the nonplanar vibrations and multi-modal responses of pinned-pinned risers in shear cross flow are numerically studied. With this objective in mind, the van der Pol wake oscillators are used to simulate the dynamical behavior of the vortex shedding in the wake. Two nonlinear equations of motion of the riser are proposed to govern the lateral responses of the riser structure. The nonplanar nonlinear equations for the riser and wake are then discretized by employing Galerkin's method and solved by using a fourth-order Runge–Kutta integration algorithm. Theoretical results show that the coupled frequencies for cross-flow (CF) and in-line (IL) motions and the corresponding coupled damping ratio could be influenced by the external and/or internal fluid velocities. Based on extensive calculations, the dynamical behavior of the riser with various internal and external flow velocities are presented in the form of bifurcation diagrams, time traces, phase portraits, oscillation trajectories and response spectrum curves. It is shown that some interesting dynamical phenomena, such as ‘lock-in’ state, ‘figure-of-eight’ trajectory and quasi-periodic oscillation, could occur in such a fluid-structure interaction system. Our results also demonstrate that the shear parameter can significantly affect the dynamic responses of the riser. When the shear parameter of the cross flow is large, multi-modal quasi-periodic responses of the riser can be excited, showing some new features undetected in the system of fluid-conveying risers in uniform cross flow.     

An installation system of deepwater risers by an S-lay vessel

Along with the consumption increase of the petroleum products,more countries have transferred their attentions to the offshore fields,especially the deepwater oil and gas reserves.For deepwater exploitation,the risers must be installed to act as the conduits connecting surface platforms to subsea facilities.In this paper,the typical risers sorted by different classes are introduced,and the correspondent installation methods are presented.By investigating the recent projects performed in the deepwater hot spots,and combining the challenges of HYSY201 for riser installation,a lifting device developed for assisting riser installation is proposed and detailed to satisfy the installation of deepwater risers in the LW3-1 Gas Field of in the South China Sea.Tests on both the functions and performances of such a new system exhibit the satisfaction of meeting all challenging requirements of HYSY201 for application to riser installation in waters up to a depth of in the South China Sea.     

超深水钻井作业隔水管顶张力确定方法

对于深水和超深水钻井作业,确定钻井隔水管系统顶张力是钻前设计非常重要的工作。研究三种隔水管系统顶张力确定方法,分别是理论方法、基于隔水管系统底部残余张力方法和基于下放隔水管系统的最大钩载方法。算例计算与超深水钻井实践对比表明,在相同的隔水管系统配置下,三种方法计算结果都接近于实际钻井作业时的顶张力设定值。但研究认为,基于下放最大钩载的顶张力计算方法简单实用,推荐作为优选方法。