Mediterranean trials prove feasibility of pipelaying in 2,000-ft waters
The plan to import gas from Algeria to Italy by a subsea line across the Mediterranean Sea has now been abandoned, but the techniques developed will be of great value elsewhere. Recent trials carried out in the Strait of Sicily by Saipem and Snamprogetti can be seen as a natural extension of work done in 1972 off Gaeta prior to the laying of the BP Forties line in 420 ft of water in the North Sea, and the 1,200-ft deep crossing of the Strait of Messina in 1974. Immediate aim of the 1976 trials, in 1,850 ft of water, was to determine the feasibility of importing 11.7 billion m/sup 3//yr of natural gas via a trans-Mediterranean line from Tunisia to Sicily. This has now been dropped in favor of LNG imports. However, progress is now apparently being made on plans for a gas line linking Algeria with Spain, where depths may reach 6,000-ft. The trials were mainly intended to provide data on: the possibility of anchoring a laybarge in depths of 2,000 ft or more; the feasibility of closely following the planned route in areas with a disturbed seabed; confirmation of theoretical forecasts of static and dynamic pipe line behavior under the action of laybarge movements, waves, and currents; identification of problems during abandonment and recovery at great depths; confirmation that the condition of a pipe line laid on a rough seabed meets the design needs; the feasibility of new techniques for: (a) installation of supports to reduce the length of free spans, and (b) cutting, plugging, and recovery of the pipe to simulate a repair; buckling phenomena; and coating behavior.
- OSTI ID:
- 7217274
- Journal Information:
- Ocean Ind.; (United States), Journal Name: Ocean Ind.; (United States) Vol. 12:3; ISSN OCIDA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
AFRICA
ALGERIA
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CONSTRUCTION
DATA ACQUISITION
DESIGN
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EUROPE
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
ITALY
LEVELS
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
NATURAL GAS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PIPELINES
PIPES
SEAS
SPAIN
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSPORT
UNDERWATER