Session: 04-04-06 Pipe-Soil Interaction

Paper Number: 123946

123946 - Improving Predictions of Pipeline and Cable As-Laid Embedments Through the Use of Field Data 

Reliable prediction of as-laid embedment for surface-laid offshore pipelines and cables is important for predicting their operational response as seabed resistances depend on this information. However, the accuracy of existing methods for predicting pipeline or cable as-laid embedment is often limited by various challenges: difficulties in determining representative, very near-surface soil properties (either by field or laboratory investigation), seabed variability, laying conditions, and the dynamic nature of underwater environments.

This study aims to improve the accuracy of predicting as-laid embedment through the direct use of field cone penetration test (CPT) results. It is postulated that a more reliable and accurate prediction model can be developed by establishing a correlation between cone tip resistances and observed pipeline and cable embedments from the as-laid surveys of constructed pipelines, umbilicals and cables. In this paper, the results for two flowlines from offshore Australia is shown and indicates a strong correlation between cone resistance and pipeline and cable embedment if the cone data is used appropriately. Methods to develop the correlations (and select ‘representative’ cone tip resistance information) are shown before the ‘best’ correlation approach is revealed. By comparing the correlation-obtained data with the predictions made using conventional as-laid embedment methods recommended by current practice, the potential to use site investigation data to increase the accuracy of pipeline and cable as-laid embedment prediction is demonstrated.

Presenting Author: Yasar Taner The University of Western Australia

Presenting Author Biography: Yasar Taner is a PhD student at The University of Western Australia, specializing in offshore geotechnical engineering, with a primary focus on pipeline geotechnics. He is focused on combining physics and statistics to predict the embedment of surface-laid pipelines and cables. Using field data, he aims to contribute to the development of safer and more effective methods in this area. Besides his studies, Taner values teamwork and sharing knowledge.

Authors:

Yasar Taner The University of Western Australia
Zhechen Hou The University of Western Australia
Fraser Bransby The University of Western Australia
Phil Watson The University of Western Australia
Han Eng Low Fugro Australia