Steel lazy wave riser (SLWR) is derived from the simple catenary riser (SCR) by the installation of buoyancy modules on its section. Infinite SLWR configurations are possible, and this poses difficulties in determining the best configuration. However, it is possible to capture some suitable configurations which satisfy some given design criteria specific to a project. We referred to these as the optimum configurations for the problem. Several advanced optimization tools and techniques for engineering optimization are available. In this paper, we present a 2D tabular optimization method for SLWR, which is an index-based optimization technique. The approach reduces a multidimensional problem to a 2D type providing a significant reduction in the required computational resources. It combines the design variables in pairs and assigns indices to the resulting design points (configurations) for each combination. The optimum design points are then tracked through index matching using techniques such as data sorting and intersection operations. In the application of the technique to SLWR design, we set the number of design variable for the problem to three. This results in three pair of combinations of the design variables. The design variables are the apparent mass ratio, the sag bend elevation, and the arc height. The output variables of interest to be optimized include the SLWR hanging length, the smeared buoyancy section length, the smeared buoyancy thickness, the riser hang-off tension, the stress utilization and fatigue damage around the bends. Selected optimum SLWR configurations from the optimization process are subjected to an irregular wave simulation to demonstrate the suitability of the approach for such optimisation problems.

A new riser system concept is being investigated for deep-water application. This is the Branched Riser Systems with its three types: the Branched Steel Catenary Riser (BSCR) System, the Branched Steel Lazy Wave Riser (BSLWR) System and the Branched Lazy Wave Hybrid Riser (BLWHR) Systems. The branched riser system consists of a large bore pipe, which is terminated at an optimized water depth considering the minimum wall thickness requirement from burst and collapse criteria. The larger bore riser pipe is extended from this cut off water depth to the seabed by two smaller riser pipes via a connecting component (connector). The concept draws benefits from the performance of smaller riser bore pipe in strength and fatigue performance besides the opportunities provided by larger bore pipe for maximum flow throughput and vessel top decongestion. Preliminary results from ongoing investigation of type 1 (BSCR) of the branched riser systems, using a 12-inch pipe in combination with two 8-inch riser pipes in a water depth of 3,000m for a cut off water depth of 1500m, indicates a reduction in overall riser weight, stress utilization and fatigue damage at the riser hang off (HO) and touch down zone (TDZ). Results obtained indicate that possible benefits can be achieved through a combination of advantages of smaller and larger bore riser pipe and justifies further research interest on the novel riser concept.

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Several factors can affect the response of steel catenary risers (SCR) around its touch down zone (TDZ). These include the stiffness of the soil, the soil suction force on the riser TDZ, the soil degradation with cyclic TDZ loading, etc. Riser strength and fatigue response computation are usually performed considering flat seabed and with the use of rigid or linear (spring) riser soil interaction model. However, bathymetric information obtained for the SCR lay path on the seabed reveal complex seabed profile variation, indicating that the seabed is far from being flat around the SCR TDZ. This paper presents findings from an investigation conducted on the influence of seabed slopes on the strength and fatigue response of SCRs, using a non-linear (NL) riser soil interaction model. The responses of SCRs on positively and negatively sloped seabed (rotated about the static touch down point on flat seabed) are compared with responses of SCRs on flat seabed. From the results, it can be deduced that the SCR dynamic and fatigue responses may be overpredicted or underpredicted in magnitudes dependent on the slope deviation of actual seabed from a flat seabed.