Next Meeting: Wednesday, 9th April 2008 at BP, Sunbury

This successful JIP is now in its third phase and concerned with assets that utilise flexible risers for gas export.

This problem has been attributed to the vortex shredding phenomena within the flexible riser. The excitation can be so extreme as to cause piping failures, and the problem has been seen to occur for risers with gas velocities as low as 3.5m/s.

This JIP is led by Bureau Veritas, assisted by TNO and NEL for laboratory measurements and OTM Consulting Ltd on project co-ordination, and has BP, HSE, ExxonMobil, Shell and Statoil as members.

Following the findings from Phase II, a Public Awareness Document has been made available for public dissemination. As this phenomenon is likely to affect most offshore operators, all are encouraged to gain awareness of the potential causes. The document includes an overview of the excitation mechanism, identification of systems at risk and possible remedial measures.