Steel Catenary Riser (SCR) Integrity Management

Overview

Main Objective

Project will identify emerging technologies, technology gaps, and monitoring techniques; develop SCR validations approach and integrity management methodology; and provide an industry forum for sharing of technology. More specifically to: 1. Develop a systematic method for the integrity management of SCR field systems; 2. Develop an approach to validation of design methods and key assumptions; 3. Provide a framework for structured record-keeping; 4. Develop a method for remaining life/life assessment; 5. Identify and describe current best for SCR integrity monitoring; and 6. Identify technology gaps and emerging technologies for SCR integrity monitoring.

Public Abstract

Steel catenary risers (SCR) have been employed in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) since 1994 to handle deepwater transmission of hydrocarbons to shore. These SCRs are usually large diameter and have significant annual through-put volumes. There are growing numbers of SCRs in the GOM (over 60) with a limited time span of integrity experience. Several preventative repairs and replacements have validated that designing for long-term integrity needs further refinement. A small handful of failures have further raised concern.

This joint research will assist MMS/PHMSA and industry to identify the methodology required for SCR integrity management, provide prudent system inspection and monitoring methods for achieving long-term integrity and for submission to API for inclusion of these guidelines into RP 2RD.

Additional information is available at http://www.mms.gov/tarprojects/531.htm .

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