scope:

1 Scope

1.1 GENERAL

This recommended practice provides guidelines for the design, analysis, manufacture, testing, installation, and operation of flexible pipes and flexible pipe systems for onshore, subs, and marine applications. This recommended practice supplements API Specification 17J [1], which specifies minimum requirements for the design, material selection, manufacture, testing, marking, and packaging of unbonded flexible pipes [2].

Note: This recommended practice also supplements API Specification 17K [4], which is due for publication early in 1998.

In general, flexible pipe is a custom-built product that can be designed and manufactured in a variety of methods. It is not the intent of this document to discourage novel or new developments in flexible pipe. On the contrary, it is recognized that a variety of designs and methods of analysis are possible. For this reason, some topics are presented in general terms to provide guidance to the user while still leaving open the possibility of using alternative approaches.

The reader should be aware that flexible pipe technology (i.e., concepts, design and analysis methodologies and criteria, components manufacturing and testing, operational roles and demands, maintenance and inspection, etc.) is in a state of rapid and continuing evolution. Potential users therefore need to apply care in their application of the recommendations within this document.

1.2 PRODUCTS

As with API Specification 17J, this recommended practice applies to flexible pipe assemblies, consisting of segments of flexible pipe body with end fittings attached to both ends. Both bonded and unbonded pipe types are covered. In addition this recommended practice applies to flexible pipe systems, including ancillary components.

This recommended practice does not cover umbilical and control lines.

Note: This recommended practice was developed primarily for unbonded pipe, though some sections from the first edition of the recommended practice related to bonded pipe have been included. An update of the recommended practice to address bonded pipe in greater detail is currently planned. See the Foreword for further details.

1.3 APPLICATIONS

The applications covered by this recommended practice are sweet and sour service production, including export and injection applications. Production products include oil, gas, water and injection chemicals, and combinations of these services. The recommended practice applies to both static and dynamic flexible pipe systems, used as flowlines, risers, and jumpers. The recommended practice does cover in general terms, the use of flexible pipes for offshore loading systems. Refer to [3] also for this application.

The recommended practice does not apply to flexible pipes for use in choke and kill line or umbilical applications. Reference API Specification 16C for choke and kill line applications and API Specification 17E for umbilical applications.

1.4 UNITS

The Systeme Internationale (SI) units are used in this recommended practice. Imperial units may be given in brackets after the SI units.

1.5 REFERENCED STANDARDS

See Section 2 of API Specification 17J [1] and API Specification 17K [4] for referenced standards. Standards referenced only in this document are listed in Section 2, along with numerous technical papers and publications which are also referenced.