Measurement of Platform Conductor Preload in Streamlining the Life Extensions of Ageing Offshore Wells

The construction residual loading or preloads on the offshore well conductor are calculated as per standard guidelines and by analytical means during its design and installation phase, but may not be realistic when assessing aged conductors, due to the high levels of over-conservatism built in to address the various uncertainties during the well drilling phase, hence a more practical means of evaluation is in high demand. This article presents the novel development of ultrasonic based-methodology to evaluate conductor preload, Numerical analyses were also carried out to correlate and validate the magnitude order of the acoustoelastic constant of typical conductor steel grade (grade-B). The method is proven effective in minimising any associated uncertainties, assumptions and the corresponding over-conservatisms carried over from the design stage, hence streamlining the repair and rehabilitation strategies to the most critical well-conductor groups in the field.