Aiken Establishes Feasibility of Subsea Gas Pipeline Lift Procedure Using FEA

A client faced a unique situation with a subsea gas pipeline requiring weld repairs and called Aiken for its advanced capabilities using higher level assessment methods. Aiken used finite element analysis (FEA) to determine the optimum lift procedure for the pipeline.

Aiken’s Michael McDowell described a successful outcome despite the challenging conditions. “We were able to determine whether the lift and weld operation could be done at all. Then we were able to define how the lift could be performed, establishing the acceptable range of operational parameters that would have to be maintained by the construction crew. The project was accomplished working within a narrow operational window, using five barges, four cranes and flotation buoys.”