Qualification of Unbonded Flexible Pipe to API and DNV Standards Available to Purchase

This paper presents a process employed to qualify new technology in unbonded flexible pipe in accordance with API Specification 17J, API Recommended Practice 17B, DNV-OS-C501 and DNV-RP-A203. The relevance of each standard in qualifying new pipe layers, pipe structures, and end fitting designs are addressed. New pipe layers include both glass and carbon fiber reinforcement for the pressure armor and tensile armor, and new pipe structures are unbonded flexible pipes that include all composite and hybrid composite/metallic structural layers. The paper focuses on the implementation of DNV-RP-A203 in the qualification process, including the qualification basis, technology assessment, threat assessment, development and execution of the qualification plan with tests based on API 17J and 17B, and the performance assessment.