Saipem sets new pipelay record
Construction on the world's first intercontinental gas pipeline system - the 1550-mile (2500-km) trans-Mediterranean pipeline from Algeria to northern Italy - is now about 50% complete. Having laid one pipeline and started another on the 99-mile (160-km), three-line section connecting Tunisia and Sicily, Saipem S.P.A's barge Castoro Sei has set an industry record for depth in the 2000-ft (610-m) water. The construction project has made several contributions to deepwater technology: (1) overcoming oscillation-induced fatigue stresses on free spans by using higher quality pipe and stricter welding specifications, (2) achieving extreme laying accuracies of 3 to 16 ft (1 to 5 m), (3) proving the manned submersible as a monitor and guide-touchdown laying tool, (4) introducing an automatic pipelaying-control concept that is safe, accurate, and efficient, and (5) validating and calibrating the computer programs and operational methods involved.
- OSTI ID:
- 5356723
- Journal Information:
- Pipe Line Ind.; (United States), Journal Name: Pipe Line Ind.; (United States) Vol. 53; ISSN PLINA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
AFRICA
ALGERIA
CONSTRUCTION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
FABRICATION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
ITALY
JOINING
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
NATURAL GAS
PIPELINES
QUALITY ASSURANCE
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
WELDING
WESTERN EUROPE