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Subsea umbilical riser flowlines
Industrial activities in deep offshore zones are thriving. Fields located at greater depths (over 2,000m under water) are being put into production despite increasingly challenging pressure and temperature constraints.
IFP, leader in the field of ultra-deep offshore drilling, is developing new drilling and production technologies:
- innovative solutions including design and sizing tools. IFP is being careful to maintain a high level of intellectual property in these areas,
- tools that allow the sizing of subsea risers and flowlines. These models can also be used to facilitate the installation of objects at great depths.
Research areas
IFP is working on a number of technologies with the potential to improve subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines.
The use of polymers
Polymers can cause problems during production as a result of their behaviour when one side is exposed to a hydrocarbon. IFP is engaged in a number of projects to model:
- permeability,
- blistering damage mechanisms,
- mechanical behaviour after aging under representative conditions.
These studies also focus on pipeline insulation materials which are commonly used in underwater installations.
The use of composite materials
Composite materials are rarely used in offshore environments even though they could reduce the weight of subsea risers and flowlines at depths greater than 2,000m.
In order to encourage the introduction of composites in offshore environments, IFP is studying:
- ways to improve resin behaviour,
- the mechanical evolution of resins over time,
- composite monitoring.
Greater consideration for the marine environment
IFP aims to improve consideration of the marine environment when sizing subsea risers and flowlines. Its teams are studying:
- the interaction between fluids and structures observed in pipelines. Joint research projects are being conducted with French oil services companies and CLAROM (Club pour les Actions de Recherche sur les Ouvrages en Mer) on, for example, Vortex Induced Vibrations (VIV), vibrations induced by vertical oscillation and wellhead to pipeline connection issues,
- the mechanical reliability, with a view to improving the management of random environmental factors in the sizing of risers and anchorages.
Projects with industrial partners
IFP shares its expertise with the petroleum industry in all areas related to deep offshore drilling.
Hybrid line technology
IFP aims to extend the range of its Clip Riser connection by:
- using hybrid lines: this technology, developed by IFP, significantly reduces the weight of a tube but ensures the same resistance and characteristics,
- transfering vertical forces to peripheral lines,
- developing high pressure solutions adapted to drilling using a blow-out preventer stack on the surface.
These projects are being carried out in association with EADS Composites Aquitaine and Pride Forasol.
Adapting production flowlines
IFP is involved in a major partnership with the engineering firm Technip. The project has three goals:
- applying production flowlines in ultra-deep offshore drilling,
- extending the use of flexibles in acid gas environments,
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studying reeled pipes to improve understanding of winding and unwinding on:
- a structure’s subsequent behaviour,
- umbilicals, which are used to control and monitor the safety of subsea installations.
The use of carbon fibre
The 3-C Tendons project, which IFP operates in partnership with Freyssinet, Doris Engineering and SOFICAR, is working to develop high-strength composite carbon cable for use as TLP tendon in offshore drilling operations. A field test is planned prior to industrial roll-out.
+ Industrial development > IFP's offer in production
Further information
"Exploration and Production at IFP" – 50 years of R&D and international partnership with industry
(PDF - 650 Ko)
Flowlines, Umbilicals and Riser Systems
(PDF - 300 Ko)