RISER DESIGN & ANALYSIS

RISER DESIGN & ANALYSIS

Stress Engineering has been involved in drilling, production and export riser systems since 1975. Our extensive experience includes global and coupled analysis of risers, initial sizing of components, defining component design loads, and detailed design analysis and testing of components.

We are heavily involved in the design and analysis of drilling and completion risers, production and export systems for TLPs and spars, as well as top-tensioned and steel catenary riser (SCR) systems. Even more notably, we are experts in the design and analysis of riser systems for both Floating Production Systems (FPS) and Offloading Production Systems (FPSO).

Riser analyses commonly performed by Stress Engineering include:

Riser Capability Analysis & Optimization

Stress Engineering can determine a riser and/or rig system's capabilities and operating limits at various water depths, mud weights, and in different environments. The resulting information is useful in decision-making on new builds, upgrades and purchases of existing rigs. Riser configuration optimization, tube wall thickness optimization, and buoyancy effectiveness evaluation are especially useful for new-purchase decisions. Stress Engineering can also provide third-party verification of riser and/or tensioner manufacturer operational specifications.

Component / Tensioner Performance Analysis

Stress Engineering routinely analyzes global performance of drilling risers to optimize the use of components such as flex joints, gas handlers or surface BOPs, telescopic joints, keel joints, fill valves, and suspension joints for storm hangoff or transit. Similar analytical approaches can be used to optimize tensioner systems for new-builds and upgrades.

Riser Recoil Analysis

Our proprietary STARR software gives Stress Engineering unmatched capabilities in simulating the recoil that occurs after an emergency disconnect. With STARR we can determine operating limits such as heave, tension, and stroke imposed by riser recoil. We can also analyze rig-specific tensioner configurations, recoil control systems, riser stack-up, tension settings, mud weight, heave, and stroke to limit impact force, avoid rope slack, and lift the LMRP clear of the lower BOP stack.

Driftoff / Driveoff Analysis

Stress Engineering can determine maximum loads and stresses on riser and rig as it is pushed by wind and/or surface current with a suspended, disconnected riser. We can also perform time-domain driveoff/driftoff analysis of vessel offset limits to establish operational green/yellow/red zones for emergency disconnect planning.

Riser Deployment Retrieval Analysis

Stress Engineering can establish maximum current profiles and sea states for safely running or retrieving riser, casing, or trees/manifolds, and maximum sea states for safely landing BOP. This can include analyzing the effects of drifting with surface currents to achieve operational success in high current profiles. Source:

http://www.stress.com/servicetier3.php?sid=1&pid=198