Flow Induced Pulsations FLIP in Rough Bore Gas Flexible Pipes Test in Partnership with TOTAL E&P - IRPHE/CNRS - TechnipFMC

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 21st century FLow-Induced Pulsations (FLIP) has been more and more experienced. The phenomenon is characterized by an acoustic wave that is created inside of the flexible pipe and that may lead to significant fatigue failure of the adjacent equipment. Flexible pipe integrity is not called into question regarding this phenomenon. In this context, a FLIP joint test involving TOTAL E&P, IRPHE (Institut de Recherche des Phenomenes Hors Equilibre) / CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), LMA (Laboratoire de Mecanique et d'Acoustique) / CNRS and TechnipFMC was conducted end of 2016 at CESAME Poitiers (France). The test was performed in a 6" internal diameter and 18-meter-long TechnipFMC flexible pipe. Both flow directions were tested to assess the influence of the rounded edges of the carcass. On the one hand, this paper presents the experimental test setup and the main results that came out of the test. On the other hand, this paper also presents the comparison between tests results and TechnipFMC analytical model outcome. Moreover, combining experiments and theoretical point of view enabled reproducing the phenomenon. A better understanding of the phenomenon will allow flexible pipes suppliers to propose mitigations or cancellation of FLIP to companies.