The aim of this Faraday Partnership project is to construct and analyze models for the dynamics of a pipeline bundle, suspended under two tug boats by chains attached at each end. Modelling of the unsteady dynamics of the chains, which are short compared to the length of the pipeline bundles, will be one of the key parts of the work. This research will result in a better understanding of the standard procedure for transporting prefabricated pipeline bundles to oil and gas fields in the North Sea.

Project staff and support

Neil Manson (Postgraduate Faraday Associate, University of Strathclyde)
Stephen Wilson (Academic supervisor, University of Strathclyde)
Ian Edwards (Industrial supervisor, Halliburton Subsea 7)
Paul Moseley (Technology Translator, Smith Institute)

This project is being carried out at the University of Strathclyde, in conjunction with Halliburton Subsea 7. It is supported by an EPSRC Industrial CASE award, made available through the Faraday Partnership for Industrial Mathematics. Start date: October 2002; duration: 3 years.