As part of an effort to evaluate existing riser systems, an operator launched an inspection and testing program to investigate risers retrieved following well abandonment after a service life of nearly 10 years in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). This represented a rare opportunity to evaluate the state of the threaded and coupled risers after such a long service life and assess the remaining longevity of the riser system. Specifically, it was a chance to observe and measure the effects of actual service life as opposed to calculated service conditions on the pipe and connections. The findings provided valuable insights into the future viability of similar riser systems.
Introduction
The Constitution truss spar was first placed in service in 2005. The spar featured six dry tree production risers with two subsea tiebacks. It operates in the Green Canyon region of the GOM in almost 5,000 ft of water.
