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Chapter 17

Route Optimization, Tie-in and Protection

17.1 Introduction
Over the last twenty years the installation equipment used has been developed to meet the
needs of the industry and the harsh environmental conditions. The available equipment and its
associated capabilities and limitations play a major role in the design of a11 offshore
installations, including pipelines.

This section outlines some of the availabIe equipment and discusses their capabilities and
constraints. The installation equipment is discussed in the following format (Langford and
Kelly (1990)):

Route Optimization;
Pipeline tie-ins;
Pipeline trenchinglburying;
Pipeline rockdumping.

17.2 Pipeline Routing

17.2.1 General Principle
Route selection is a complex procedure, which can be governed by several variables. Clearly,
the shortest distance between the terminal points is likely to be the most economic from a
material standpoint, but possible overriding factors must be considered. Typically the route
selection will be affected by:

- End point locations;
- Water depths;
- Presence of adverse environmental features such as high currents, shoaling waves;
- Presence of other fields, pipelines, structures, prohibited zones (e.g. naval exercise areas,
firing ranges);