Self-Burial and Potential Hazards of a Submarine Pipeline in the Sand Wave Area in the South China Sea

Abstract

The hazardous exposure and self-burial of a submarine pipeline were studied based on the investigation of a submarine pipeline in the sand wave area in the South China Sea, as well as on statistical data and mathematical calculations. The results indicate that the pipeline free span in the area was mainly induced by seabed erosion, sand wave movement, and human disturbance. Extreme weather events cause severe impacts on seabed topography and the pipeline condition. The burial status of the pipe is mainly controlled by the evolution of local seabed topographical conditions, i.e., the amount of sediment load and the movement of seabed sand waves. The migration of the continuous small-scale sand waves facilitates the self-burial of pipes, while the migration of isolated large-scale sand waves creates potential hazards for pipelines because of the existing free span continues to grow on both sides of the sand wave.