Improving the methodology for calculating the thrust force during underwater crossing by directional drilling method

Abstract

This study aimed to enhance the methodology for determining pulling force when designing pipeline crossings. The authors thoroughly analyzed three existing methods for calculating pipeline pulling force during the construction of transitions via directional drilling, namely JSC "Giprotruboprovod" method, the Canadian University of Waterloo method, and SP 42-101-2003 method. Through comparing the calculation results of each method with actual pulling force values, the authors identified the pros and cons of each method that impact the accuracy of the final calculation. Consequently, they formulated proposals that enable the improvement of calculating pipeline pulling force methodology used by domestic companies (PJSC "Transneft") during facility design and construction. The proposed (improved) method achieved an average calculation error of 16%, which was the most precise among all existing methods, as confirmed by the comparison with actual force values of previously constructed transitions.