Analyses and countermeasures of deepwater drilling riser grounding accidents under typhoon conditions

Abstract

For deepwater drilling riser system facing grounding risk in the South China Sea, a mechanical analysis model of deepwater drilling riser grounding accident was established. Focusing on drilling riser grounding accidents of a deepwater floating drilling platform in the South China Sea, mechanical characteristics and grounding accidents of riser were analyzed. And the riser retrieving window was determined. The results showed that the shape of the riser system after riser grounding is catenary. The maximums of bending moment and von Mises stress are located at lower flex joint. Platform moon pool, tensioner and lower flex joint are damaged due to severe bending deformation in the upper and lower drilling riser system after riser grounding accidents. The riser may fracture if drilling platform continues to move toward shallow water. Drilling platform displacement and riser lift height must be within the riser operation window during riser retrieving, or else the riser may fracture and the LMRP may suffer further damage. Residual riser and LMRP can be retrieved in a fixed position when the drilling riser system is separated from seabed. Key words: typhoon, deepwater, drilling, riser, grounding accident, accident analysis