Subsea Pipelines Leak-Modeling Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach

Abstract

Pipelines laid over long distances in harsh offshore environments may be affected by excessive strain, corrosion, scouring, icebergs, and other third-party damage. Small chronic leaks may cause severe safety and environmental effects if left undetected for a long time. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a subsea leaking pipeline is developed to predict the pressure and temperature profiles around the pipe’s leak surroundings. The developed CFD is used to study a pipeline section with a leak on top. In addition, a hydrodynamic model is used to evaluate the parameters of a full-scale model for a 150-km long-distance pipeline. This hydrodynamic model is developed to find the segment of the pipeline where it is difficult to detect the leak (e.g., segment with low temperature and pressure) in the long pipeline system. Furthermore, the hydrodynamic model provides the boundary conditions for the CFD model. The present study will help pipeline operators to select the most appropriate leak detection technology for the pipeline system. In particular, sensitivity analysis using the CFD model will assist pipeline operators to optimize direct sensing technologies including fiber optic cable distributed sensing solutions.