Pipeline Shore Crossing Approach in the Arctic Conditions

• Main Author: Kurbonshoeva, Lesana
• Other Authors: Gudmestad, Ove Tobias
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Stavanger, Norway 2019
• Subjects: offshore teknologi; undervannsteknologi; the Arctic; shore crossing; subsea pipeline; ice ridges; shoreline erosion; Arktis; VDP::Technology: 500::Marine technology: 580::Offshore technology: 581; Arctic; Norway; Bovanenkovo; Ukhta; Arktis*; Beaufort Sea; Sakhalin
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11250/2621076

Master's thesis in Offshore Technology : Subsea technology The energy demand will increase the development of new offshore areas including the Arctic region. The construction of new infrastructure will be required in the region, in particular, subsea pipelines. Considering the lack of much practice, vulnerability of the ecosystem and lack of common international standards for the Arctic region, their development will be a technological and environmental challenge. In particular, in the transition zones. Master thesis ambitions to analyze the characteristics of the design of the offshore pipelines on the coastline in the Arctic. Several Arctic projects with the shore crossing transitions exist nowadays, such as Northstar, Ooguruk and Nikaitchuq in the Beaufort Sea developed under the trenching method. Two additional projects – Sakhalin 1 and Bovanenkovo-Ukhta – were also reviewed as part of the thesis. Another project located not in the Arctic that was considered is the Langeled pipeline from Norway to UK. There are exist three possible methods: trenching; tunneling and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). All of these methods have advantages and disadvantages mainly related to the environmental conditions cost implications. The Arctic region re-emphasizes the critical role of the environmental conditions on the selection of the right crossing methods: - Ice encroachment increases the stress on the infrastructure and can damage the shore infrastructure and artificial gravel pads can be used to minimize their impact. - Ice ridges tend to scour the sea bottom and damage the subsea pipeline. To protect the pipeline from ice ridges it is recommended to bury it. - Shoreline erosion can be the cause of pipeline stability loss. These implications are illustrated with a practical case on Leningradskoe field. Firstly environmental conditions such as the characteristics of the shore and offshore geology or the shoreline erosion rate were determined to confirm that the region is located in harsh environment. Reviewing ...