Currently, Petrobras (the Brazilian state oil company) performs numerical simulations of pipelaying operations employing commercial software, such as OffPipe [1]. However, such tools presents restrictions/limitations related to the user interface, model generation and analysis formulations. These limitations hinder its efficient use for analyses of installation procedures for the scenarios considered by Petrobras, using the BGL-1 barge (owned by Petrobras) or other vessels, considering for instance particular types of stingers depending on depth and pipeline, with different lengths and geometries adapted to certain laying conditions in S-Lay procedures. Therefore, the objective of this work is to present the development and application of a tailored, in-house non-commercial computational tool in which the modules follow Petrobras users’ specifications, in order to overcome the limitations for specific needs and particular scenarios in the simulation of several types of pipeline procedures. Such tool, called SITUA-PetroPipe, presents a friendly interface with the user, for instance allowing the complete customization of the configuration of laybarge and stinger rollers. It also includes novel analysis methods and formulations, including the ability of coupling the structural behavior of the pipe with the hydrodynamic behavior of the vessel motions under environmental conditions.

Volume Subject Area:
Pipelining in Northern and Offshore Environments
Topics:
Computer software, Ocean engineering, Simulation, Pipelines, Vessels, Computer simulation, Pipes, Rollers, User interfaces
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