Success Factors and Design Challenges for Subsea Pipelines Lateral Buckling Mitigation

Lateral buckling is a key design challenge for High Pressure / High Temperature (HPHT) subsea pipelines. Various mitigation techniques are typically used in the industry. These mitigation techniques are assessed to present the key design challenges associated with each technique and the recommended design practices to overcome these challenges. Lateral buckling design approaches for subsea pipelines are assessed based on their advantages and limitations. The assessment covers the two key mitigation approaches used in the industry which are buckling prevention and controlled buckling using buckle triggers. The assessment is based on lessons learned and best practices from case studies for subsea pipelines in shallow water applications. The assessment includes general overview of the design methodology, design challenges and limitations for each mitigation approach. The assessment demonstrates that each lateral buckling mitigation involves specific design challenges. There is no ‘one size fits all’ design solution to be used in all cases. Hence, the selection of the lateral buckling design solution should be based on comprehensive analysis of the technical feasibility, constructability and cost-effectiveness of the various mitigation techniques. Clear understanding of the design challenges for each mitigation approach and the recommended design practices for overcoming them is a key success factor to achieve a reliable and cost-effective design. This paper aims to provide guidance for selection of lateral buckling design solution for subsea pipelines based on the merits and shortcomings of the various mitigation techniques.