Arctic applications of flexible pipe for production pipelines and infield fluid transport systems

The necessity for continually improving the systems that produce oil in the Arctic and reducing their cost has led the authors to attempts at improving the piping system that transports production fluids. A search for a system that meets all of the Arctic design criteria and that would reduce cost has led them to look at the application of flexible pipe for all exterior piping systems. Noting the similarities between subsea flexible pipe systems and the ultimate Arctic system, the process to determine the suitability of the subsea system to the Arctic ensued. The system has built-in flexibility to overcome the thermal stress applied to a pipe system through thermal movements and corrosion resistance due to the materials used in its design. Flexible pipe has been installed successfully in the subsea environment for a number of years for applications that require a piping system that has a dynamic capability. The system is a proven entity in the transport of hydrocarbons and the only criterion remaining to be verified was its performance in the Arctic. This is now complete to a point that they are confident of the application. The process to arrive at this level of confidence will be themore » topic of this dissertation.« less