Deep-sea pipelines push technical progress
According to Italy's Saipem S.p.A., continuous development of new offshore fields in deeper waters, along with new projects for transporting gas from Algeria to Italy, have inspired a search for new techniques in the construction of submarine pipelines. For example, one pipeline, due for 1978 completion, will carry 388 billion cF of gas (over a 25-y period) from Algeria to Italy. In deeper waters, sophisticated computer programs must be used to determine the bending configurations of pipelines. Saipem reviews the maximum operating limits, abandonment conditions and procedures, recovery of the pipeline, and pipeline damage repair. In laying lines in the North Sea Forties field, Saipem equipment survived adverse weather conditions with minimal damage, thanks to skilled personnel and extensive studies and preplanning. Future work will require an integrated system to improve pipelaying, pipe resupplying, and anchor handling. Saipem's new Castoro VI, a semisubmersible pipelay barge now under construction, is designed to meet these goals.
- OSTI ID:
- 5692948
- Journal Information:
- Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 72; ISSN OIGJA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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