Shallow Water Pipeline Long-Term Stability Assessment

A three-year field study was conducted between June of 2021 and April of 2023 to evaluate pipeline movement on the Gulf of Mexico's (GOM's) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) following storm activity. Three areas were selected for the study, the Western Planning Area (WPA), Central Planning Area (CPA), and Mississippi River Delta Front (MRD). Within these three areas, the positions of 20 pipeline segments were monitored using a transverse gradiometer (TVG) array (magnetometer towfish) to detect the frequency and extent of any lateral displacements. The depth of the monitored pipeline segments ranged from 27 to 266 feet (ft). During the study period, Hurricane Ida was the strongest storm that passed over the area with sustained winds of up to 70 knots, waves of up to 29 feet, and bottom currents of up to 2.53 knots. Determining whether a pipeline had moved during the study period was addressed through a statistical approach to evaluate the variability in the assessed pipeline position between a baseline survey (June 2021) and two follow-up surveys conducted in January 2022 and April 2023. Results of a one-way ANOVA indicated that one of the 20 segments had moved during the study period. This pipeline segment did not experience periods of relatively strong bottom currents or sustained high waves due to storm activity during the study. Recommendations for further study are provided.

USD: $442,050

2021-01-29 → 2024-08-21