Rogue lateral buckle initiation at subsea pipelines

Due to the pipelay vessel motions during installation of a subsea pipeline, as-laid direction pipeline changes along nominally straight section route. In High Pressure Temperature (HPHT) presence rogue lateral Out Straightness (OoS) can adversely influence reliability buckle initiation at engineered buckling sites e.g. sleepers. This implies requirement study ensure unwanted buckles are not formed. paper provides framework range critical force (CBF) OoS which, so far has been fully explored in literature. A simplified and yet accurate pipe-soil interaction model for sandy seabeds, suitable calculation CBF is described. The built-in friction models Abaqus FE software simulation as they cannot decouple axial force-displacement relationships. Therefore, novel Finite Element (FE) modelling technique benefiting from two-surface seabed capable decoupling contact frictions orthogonal directions developed. eliminates need developing complex user-defined subroutines. Different ways characterising discussed best method selected. Accordingly, systematic process, parameters, configuration parameters stiffness which form contributing resistance against identified.