Strain Demand Estimation for Pipelines in Challenging Arctic and Seismically Active Regions

The need to use strain-based design is growing due to potential pipeline projects in environments that include permafrost, offshore ice hazards, active seismic areas and high temperature/high pressure operations. Proper design and construction of such pipelines poses numerous special challenges and requires consideration of some important processes that govern the behavior of soils. ExxonMobil has been conducting research to improve understanding of geotechnical mechanisms that result in large plastic strains in the pipelines, and to develop pipeline strain demand prediction methodologies in harsh arctic and seismically active regions. This paper discusses key challenges in strain demand estimates for Arctic onshore and offshore pipelines and is aimed at promoting industry discussion of strain demand prediction methodologies. The paper highlights ExxonMobil’s efforts in developing predictive technologies for strain demand estimation that forms the basis for the design, testing, and model development in strain-based pipeline applications.