Integrity Assessment of Offshore Pipeline Subjected to Anchor-Induced Dents Using Finite Element Analysis

Offshore pipelines are crucial for transporting fluids from offshore platforms to onshore processing facilities. However, these pipelines are susceptible to damage from third-party activities, such as collisions with ship anchors. An inspection revealed a dent in the pipeline with a depth of 111 mm, resulting in a dent depth to outside diameter ratio of 31.21%. According to various regulatory codes, this ratio indicates failure. Despite this, no leaks or ruptures were observed during the inspection. To assess the pipeline's integrity, finite element analysis (FEA) using Abaqus was conducted to determine the maximum stress in the dented area. The analysis produced a graph illustrating the relationship between stress and the allowable operating pressure of the pipeline.