The first aspect of end of life engineering is often to consider re-use and we provide extra value by performing subsea riser re-use studies.
In the case of premature failure we are experienced in conducting dissection, examination and material testing to understand the performance of the decommissioned riser. Such data can be useful in forecasting the remnant life of similar flexible pipes.
The situation:
A US Gulf of Mexico operator had integrity concerns regarding the topsides unbonded flexible pipe jumpers which connect steel catenary risers to the process system of a Tension Leg Platform.
There was insufficient data available on these legacy pipes to be able to make an informed decision regarding safe remnant life.
Our solution:
We carried out the forensic dissection of one of the jumpers carrying out intensive testing of the metallic and polymeric layers and then used this information to inform the life extension studies for the adjacent topsides jumpers.
The outcome was continued safe operation with a clearer understanding of the utilisation of each of the pipe’s layers.