MSc Subsea & Pipeline Engineering

Lecturer: Mr Dedis
Assessment: coursework

This module aims to give students a good understanding of some fundamental aspects of the petroleum industry by covering the following topics:

• reservoir characterisation and classification
• properties of reservoir fluids
• properties of reservoir rocks
• flow through porous media
• well performance
• single and multi-phase pipe flow
• artificial lift systems

This module aims to introduce the principles of risk management and reliability engineering and solve relevant engineering problems through widely applied methods and tools.

The module will teach the following:

• Introduction and Fundamentals of Risk and Reliability Engineering
• Risk Management Process
• Statistics, Probabilities and Mathematics for Risk Analysis
• Failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis (FMEA/FMECA)
• Hazard and operability study (HAZOP) Analysis
• Qualitative Reliability Analysis (FTA/ETA)
• Systems modelling using Reliability Block Diagrams
• Quantitative Reliability Analysis, Introduction to MCS
• Risk Control and Decision Support Systems, Failure Consequences
• Insurance and Certification of Engineering Applications

On completion of the module you're expected to be able to:

• demonstrate a systematic knowledge of the fundamentals of risk management and reliability engineering and a critical awareness of their application on relevant engineering problems
• evaluate and select appropriate techniques for risk analysis (qualitative and quantitative), failure consequences assessment, and methods for control/mitigation through decision support systems and other relevant methods/tools
• develop a critical and analytical approach to the collection and stochastic modelling of data in the application of stochastic modelling
• demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the development and use of commonly used methods and standards related to asset integrity management (including Reliability-Centred Maintenance and Risk-based Inspection)

Assessment will be in the form of a one-hour closed-book oral exam.

This module aims to provide you with an in-depth insight into marine pipelines, emphasising the overall design process, pipeline hydraulics analysis, installation methods, environmental loading and stability, materials selection, and corrosion prevention.

This module covers:

• design overview and process; Diameter and wall thickness; Installation methods; Operation and integrity management; Environmental conditions; Dynamic loading; Lateral stability; Scour; Free span; Trenching
• internal fluids; Single and two-phase flows; Pressure and thermal profiles; Wax; Hydrate; Thermal insulation; Flow assurance; Drag reduction
• materials and corrosion; Pipeline material; Steelmaking; Manufacture of linepipe for onshore and offshore applications; Internal corrosion; Corrosion detection and control; External corrosion and mitigation

On completion of the module, you're expected to:

• have an overview of marine pipelines with regard to their design, installation, operation, and maintenance
• gain an understanding of some fundamentals of marine pipeline design and analysis
• apply analysis tools for pipeline hydraulics, multi-phase flows and thermal protection
• identify the differences between pipe grades and pipe manufacturing methods
• identify risk areas for internal and external corrosion in marine pipelines and describe the methods for corrosion inspection and control and select appropriate mitigation methods

Assessment will be in the form of coursework.

This module aims to provide you with a theoretical and practical knowledge of the finite element method and the skills required to analyse marine structures with ANSYS graphical user interface (GUI).

This module covers:

• introduction to finite element analysis and ANSYS GUI
• truss elements and applications
• solid elements and applications
• beam elements and applications
• plane stress, plane strain and axisymmetry concepts
• plane elements and applications
• plate & shell elements and applications
• assembly process and constructing of the global stiffness matrix

At the end of this module you'll be able to:

• understand the basics of finite element analysis
• understand how to perform finite element analysis by using a commercial finite element software
• understand specifying necessary input parameters for the analysis
• understand how to visualize and evaluate the results

There is one exam and one coursework assignment. The exam is during the exam period of the first semester. Exam has a weight of 70% and coursework assignment has a weight of 30%.

This module aims to demonstrate how the principles and methods of risk analysis are undertaken and reflected in safety assessment. Risk analysis offers a variety of methods, tools and techniques that can be applied in solving problems covering different phases of the life cycle of a vessel (design, construction, operation and end-of-life) and, as such, this module will also elaborate on the practicalities of its application to a range of marine scenarios.

This module covers:

• safety, risk and risk analysis; key terminology; lessons learnt from past experience; human factors.
• formal safety assessment
• hazard Identification
• frequency analysis and consequence modelling
• quantitative risk assessment methods
• risk control and decision support, cost benefit analysis
• human Factors and Safety culture in the maritime
• industry guest lectures addressing topical issues related to maritime safety and risk

At the end of this module you'll be able to:

• understand the concepts and importance of safety, risk and of all requisite fundamentals enabling quantification of risk in the maritime context
• utilise methods and tools undertaking fundamental studies, specific to any component, system or function and in general first-principles implementation to life-cycle design
• understand and have experience of the use of risk analysis in the marine field via related case studies (risk-based ship design, operation and regulation).
• be able to appreciate components of a formal safety assessment and apply it for indicative problems of maritime operations

Assessment and feedback are in the form of one final exam (during Semester-2 diet) and two coursework assignments (assignment-one focusses on accident investigation, assignment-two is a safety assessment case study).

The aims of this module are to:

• enable you to identify the key threats to marine pipeline systems
• introduce the basic engineering tools and principles used in the integrity assessment of pipelines
• develop skills in the assessment of cracks, dents and corrosion defects in pipelines under static and dynamic loading conditions
• increase knowledge and understanding of pipeline inspection techniques and to enable the selection of the most appropriate technique for the identified threats to the pipeline

This module covers:

• Introduction to Pipeline Structural Analysis: Identification of threats and failure modes for pipeline systems. Application of risk assessment to integrity management planning.
• Fracture Mechanics: The theory of fracture mechanics as it relates to pipeline systems; the application of international codes and standards for the assessment of cracks in pipeline systems; ductile and brittle fracture propagation in pipeline systems.
• Fatigue Analysis: The theory of pipeline fatigue, including S-N and fracture mechanics approaches for determining fatigue life and cycle counting methods for determining fatigue loading.
• Dent Assessment: Analysis of dent and dent/gouge defects in pipelines under dynamic and static loading.
• Corrosion Assessment: The application of deterministic and probabilistic corrosion assessment methods to marine pipelines and the use of sentence plots to determine repair plans for corrosion defects.
• Pipeline Inspection Techniques: The use of external and internal tools for the detection, identification and sizing of defects in pipelines (e.g. AUVs, ROVs, divers, in-line and tethered inspection tools); the use of monitoring techniques for the CP system.
• Repair and Maintenance Strategies: Determination of appropriate repair and maintenance strategies for pipelines and the selection of appropriate inspection intervals.

At the end of this module you'll be able to:

• analyse pipeline integrity data and draw conclusions relating to the key threats on the pipeline
• select appropriate assessment methods, codes and standards for the key threats to the pipeline system
• solve engineering problems relating to pipeline structural integrity
• discuss the principles of pipeline inspection techniques and select the appropriate inspection technique for the identified threats to the pipeline system

Assessment is via two written examinations at the end of the semester.

This module aims to introduce the shipbuilding technologies and equipment used in the construction of FPSO vessels. It will also provide an introduction to the ship design process as applied to FPSO vessels.

This module will teach the following:

FPSO Construction:

• overview of facilities for shipbuilding
• the shipbuilding process including the integration of hull construction, outfitting and painting
• the role of product definition

FPSO Design:

• functional requirements and design drivers
• typical layouts and sizes
• hullform and marine system arrangements
• platform-topsides interfaces
• comparison of new-build and conversion approaches
• design process and schedules

On completion of the module you're expected to be able to:

• understand the technologies and processes involved in constructing FPSO vessels
• appreciate the interaction between design and construction of FPSO vessels, especially in relation to conversions
• understand the relationships between functional requirements and design solutions for FPSO vessels
• demonstrate their awareness of the importance of marine systems and the platform-topsides interface in a successful solution

Assessment and feedback are in the form of coursework. You'll carry out the coursework in groups using the knowledge taught during lectures and tutorials and by referring to the other literature resources.

The overall aim of the module is to provide you with an enriched experience in the selection, conceptualisation and designing of a novel vessel or an offshore asset. The group projects will also include a thorough market review, concept and focused design studies and techno-economic analysis in a simulated design project environment. It will also provide you with an opportunity to present their project outputs to a panel involving academic/industry staff.

This module covers:

• development of a broad but nevertheless critical review of prospects for techno-economic growth in maritime related activities in a particular context/area of the world
• proposal and evaluation of specific design-related activities with a view to developing a design project to a concept level but with substantial calculations in at least one design objective
• demonstration of analytical ability and understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving techniques, creativity and self-reflection
• the ability to present and defend the design choices to a panel.

At the end of this module you'll be able to:

• identify and prioritize the key-design issues along with their basic interrelations in the context of naval architecture
• materialize a design project according to a given timeline through design steps along the key-design-issues priority path
• work efficiently and openly in a collaborative context involving different cultures and expertise
• choose at each design step the proper rationally-based computation methods

Assessment and feedback are in the form of either design report or presentation. There will be five tasks: each task may include the submission of a design report or an oral presentation followed by questions from the lecturers and the advisory groups.