Assessment of seismic risk for subsea production systems in the Gulf of Mexico /

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Brown, Laura Ann, 1971-
Other Authors: Hueste, Mary Beth D. (Mary Beth Deisz) (Thesis advisor), Bracci, Joseph M. (Thesis advisor)
Format: Thesis eBook
Language:English
Published: [College Station, Tex.] : [Texas A&M University], [2004]
Subjects:
Online Access:Link to OAK Trust copy
Description
Abstract:The number of subsea production systems placed in deepwater locations in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) has increased significantly in the last ten to fifteen years. Currently, API-RP2A (2000 a,b) designates the GOM as a low seismic zone, and thus does not require seismic effects to be considered during the design process. However, there have been a number of seismic events with Richter magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.9 that have occurred in this region. As a result, questions have been raised regarding the seismic performance of deepwater subsea systems. This thesis presents an analytical parametric study where a prototype subsea structure was selected based on a survey of subsea systems. The baseline analytical model consisted of a single casing embedded in soft clay soils, which supported a lumped mass at a cantilevered height above the soil. A number of the model characteristics were varied in the parametric study to simulate the structural response of a range of subsea structures. This thesis discusses the impact of API-RP2A Zone 1 and 2 design seismic demands for the performance of subsea structures. The results from the subsequent analyses show that the stresses and deflections produced by the Zone 1 and 2 peak ground accelerations fall within the allowable limits.
Item Description:"Major Subject: Civil Engineering"
Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Apr. 30, 2004.)
Vita.
Abstract.
Electronic resource.
Format:Mode of access: World Wide Web.
System requirements: World Wide Web access and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references.