Session: 11-08-01 Production Systems and Subsea Operations

Paper Number: 79985

79985 - Oscillation of a Flexible Catenary Shaped Submersed Pipe Induced by Two-Phase Slug Flow of Liquid and Gas 

In this paper, we present an experimental study of the excitation of a submersed suspended flexible pipe induced by the internal two-phase slug flow of liquid and gas. The experiment was conducted with the pipe set in catenary configuration inside a water tank with a depth of 2m. Water and air were injected into the pipe at various flow rates combinations, leading to the formation of horizontal slug flow patterns. The slug two-phase flow generated intermittent loads on the pipe promoting its oscillation. The dynamic response of the pipe to the slug flow was monitored by cameras which registered the movement of target marks set up along the body of the pipe. Processing the video images, we obtained the time-history of the movement of the pipe, and from this, the frequencies and amplitudes of motion were determined. This data was compared to a computer simulation of the pipe dynamic response to intermittent loads obtained with a slug flow loading model. As a result, the potential of the computer simulation to represent excitation-response interaction is assessed. With the proper scaling up, this may be helpful to improve the capability of engineers for the analysis of the behavior of suspended risers used in offshore petroleum production carrying up oil and gas from petroleum reservoir wells to floating production facilities.

Presenting Author: Sergio N. Bordalo Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica, Departamento de Engenharia de Petróleo.

Authors:

Jéssica Palma Silva Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica, Departamento de Engenharia de Petróleo.
Celso K. Morooka Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica, Departamento de Engenharia de Petróleo.
Sergio N. Bordalo Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica, Departamento de Engenharia de Petróleo.
Caio C. O. Trigo Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Centro de Estudos de Petróleo.