OFFSHORE PIPELINE ROUTE SELECTION

Planning and designing are the first things to do before installing offshore pipeline system. Before the pipeline design is made, a series of surveys is done to determine the best plan (the safest, the cheapest, the most environmental friendly) for the pipeline project. One aspect of planning that impacts a pipeline project from beginning to end, is it’s route selection.

In the planning stage, there is one key component that all pipeline projects have in common-how the initial routing of the pipeline will affect the eventual interface of all activities required for the project.

Pipeline route selection or routing is choosing the best route or path for the pipeline system to be outstretched toward the existing bathymetry and platform location. There are some criteria to be considered in routing, such as:

• The safest
• The shortest
• The easiest to install
• The minimum cost

THE SAFEST

Safety first. That would probably be the most crucial thing in the whole process of producing the pipeline system. The safest route should be considered due to its minimum risk and impact for human and for the existing environmental surround. Moreover, existing landscape should be taken into account. Troughs, volcanoes, scarps, faults, and other extreme landscape (including geohazard) should be avoided in selecting the pipeline route.

THE SHORTEST

The shortest means the most efficient and effective route. Minimum material will be needed, minimum pressure loss, as well as minimizing installation risk. Please note that longer pipeline will be more susceptible to pressure loss. If long pipeline route shall be installed, then putting some additional compressor along will be necessary.

THE EASIEST TO INSTALL

As told before, installing offshore pipeline system is not an easy task. Therefore we should manage the simplest way to install them offshore.

THE MINIMUM COST

If the three criteria mentioned before is obeyed, then it’s possible to have the minimum cost all the way.

Bibliography:

https://nonerieska.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/offshore-pipeline-route-selection-pipeline-routing/

http://www.offshore-mag.com/articles/print/volume-71/issue-1/flowlines-__pipelines/survey-assesses-geohazards-for-record-subsea-pipeline.html

http://www.mustangeng.com/AboutMustang/Publications/Publications/Pipeline%20Route%20Selection%20rev%2012-7-11.pdf