Wind-Induced Vibration Monitoring Program For Alpine Pipelines

摘要

As part of the Alpine development project, Phillips Alaska, Inc. has installed a 305 mm (12-inch) diameter utility line and a 356 mm (14-inch) diameter produced oil line between the Alpine and Kuparuk oil fields on the Alaskan North Slope. In sections of the pipeline alignment that are oriented nominally perpendicular to the prevailing wind directions, a system of pipeline vibration dampers (PVDs) has been installed to mitigate potential fatigue damage due to wind-induced vibration (WIV). As part of the right-of-way agreement for the pipelines, Phillips has implemented a pipeline WIV monitoring program with the objectives of insuring that the PVD systems are performing as designed and to confirm that the spans without PVDs are not experiencing frequent and significant WIV. The Alpine WIV monitoring systems represent the most extensive, long-term WIV monitoring program ever undertaken on the North Slope. This paper provides an overview of the Alpine pipelines WIV monitoring program including; a description of the layout of the instrumentation, the data acquisition and the power supply systems, and a description of commissioning these systems. A summary of the WIV monitoring approach and the pertinent wind observation and vibration data gathered is also provided. The paper concludes with a summary of the overall findings and conclusions from this program.