Sub-sea pipeline free spans occurring from inadequate seabed support can lead to static and vortex induced loading which results in pipeline failure. At best, this could effectuate a small crack at overstressed welded field joints, at worse, pipeline rupture. The latter may have significant safety, environmental and business impacts, and as a consequence free span management is necessary for incident avoidance and operational reliability. This paper describes a risk based approach to the management of multiple free spans that exist on the 30" gas pipeline that traverses the Malacca Straits from the NSO-A offshore platform to the gas processing facility at PT Arun, Aceh, northern Sumatra, Indonesia. It draws from an intensive data collection campaign and technical assessment allowing characterization of exposure and tolerances. Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and Metocean surveys, together with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) conducted on more than one occasion since pipeline commissioning in 1999, has provided the necessary base data inputs. Pivotal to the analysis is utilization of industry best practices (in particular the DNV Recommended Practice F-105 Free Spanning Pipelines), together with risk assessment tools. Several dozen critical length spans have an elevated risk of fatigue cracking due to duration exposure. Span management recommendation identifies grout bag pipeline supports as being the most affective remediation solution, amongst others considered. The literature for actual case trial publications on sub-sea pipeline free span management is limited. This paper is considered to contribute to the emerging understanding of static loading and vortex induced vibrations impacting on the fatigue life of critical assets.