Subsea Gas Pipeline Floatation

Abstract

The linear and non-linear bending of the span of a subsea pipeline between two supports has been studied. The weight of the pipeline with the transported medium, the buoyancy force of water, the transverse distributed forces due to pressures on the inner and outer surfaces, the change in the curvature of the axial line during bending, as well as the decrease in the average pressure on the pipe walls during its rise are taken into account. The supports allow movement in the axial direction in proportion to the resulting force. The static bend of the pipeline is considered up to a position coinciding with the surface of the water. A parametric analysis of the bend is given, in particular, depending on the gas pressure and the depth of the reservoir. The conditions for the surfacing of the pipeline are determined.