Managing and Sustaining Sub Sea Pipeline Integrity Risk Against Uncertainties Force of Nature
Proceedings Publication Date
Presenter
Raja Zahirudin bin Raja Ismail
Company
Author
Raja Zahirudin bin Raja Ismail
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Abstract
Tsunami in 2004 has triggered us of its impact to our sub-sea pipeline. Managing over 300 numbers of sub-sea pipelines of over 3000km long, cost us few millions Ringgit Malaysia to inspect and verify integrity of the pipelines after the Tsunami. However, as its probability of reoccurrence is very low within this region, solving the problem is remaining of low priority.

Force of nature such as earth quake originated from Indonesia and Philippines had occurred more frequent lately and had caused some vibration felt in South China Sea where all of our sub-sea production pipelines are. Thus there was a question asked on the integrity of sub-sea pipeline, as we cannot afford to inspect all pipelines integrity every time there is an earth quake within these regions. Responding to this, a systematic approach was made to proactively managing pipeline integrity against risk of earth quake.

Comprehensive study was conducted to determine the affect of the earth quake for South China Sea bed and calculate the estimated ground acceleration force based on reference of earth quake origin from Indonesia and Philippines. This study will determine the bench mark at what point the ground acceleration can cause risk of damage or failure to the existing ageing sub sea pipelines and when comprehensive pipelines inspection and assessment to be conducted.

This paper will share on the methodology applied in determining the risk of earth quake impact to sub sea pipelines in Malaysia water, i.e South China Sea.