Abstract
We present an integration of new capabilities of simulation and visualization for subsea analysis and design into an existing virtual arctic simulation environment (VASE). The existing system (previously presented) provides interactive, high-fidelity simulation capabilities for remotely-operated vehicles (ROV) in arctic environments for subsea trenching along with support for visualization of integrated data from sub-bottom and multibeam sonar imaging devices. This paper describes integration of the existing VASE with computation fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation capability for simulation of flow assurance and fluid-structure interaction design issues relevant to arctic subsea oil and gas field design.
The presented integrated simulation system allows for rapid, streamlined evaluation of pipeline designs in an integrated data, whole-field context. In particular, detailed analysis of pipeline fatigue risk factors due to slugging and effects of hydrate formation can be performed through integrated CFD analysis capabilities. The system's intuitive pipeline design allows for rapid alteration of pipe and flow lines in response to feedback from bathymetry and soil data, ROV accessibility requirements and structural analysis through flow induced vibration and fluid structure-interaction simulations.
It is demonstrated how various pipeline and jumper designs can be rapidly created in the VASE with design strategies motivated by the integrated whole field data visualization environment. Once pipe and jumper designs are specified, they can be exported for external analysis. We demonstrate this analysis through two fluid-structure interaction models (slugging and hydrate formation model). This allows for effective design in arctic environments, including design of pipeline routes in context of trenching and general management of cold water conditions. Overall, the system can also serve to function as a planning and data management system for subsequent training of pilots for inspection as part of asset integrity management.
