Innovative Processing Methods and Technology for Subsea Structural, Pipeline and Riser System Mechanical Analyses.

The last decade has seen a trend towards the implementation of general purpose non-linear finite element analysis programs for all types of subsea analysis, not only pipelines & risers operating at high temperature and pressure but also spools, termination structures and manifolds. This paper reports innovative processing for Abaqus, written in the Python scripting language, that has been used successfully on subsea structure and pipeline Sc riser system models to enhance output from reeling simulations and in-place analysis, including lateral buckling and free span assessments, to implement structural code checks, to design spools and provide general-purpose output. The benefits to engineers of being able to use the technology effectively, understand its limitations and then critique and improve the methods are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]