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Guidance Notes on Subsea Pipeline Route Determination
GUIDANCE NOTES ON
SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION
AUGUST 2016
American Bureau of Shipping

Incorporated by Act of Legislature of
the State of New York 1862
 2016. American Bureau of Shipping. All rights reserved.

ABS Plaza
16855 Northchase Drive
Houston, TX 77060 USA
Foreword
Foreword
The ABS Classification of a subsea pipeline system requires review of data and analysis results concerning
conditions along the selected route of the pipeline. Prior to the final selection of the route and detailed design
of the pipeline system, different routes will be considered and assessed. A method for route determination
is presented in these Guidance Notes where candidate routes are selected and assessed. The method relies
on the use of available Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and risk assessment techniques.
An example of the method’s application is provided.
The ABS Guide for Building and Classing Subsea Pipeline Systems is the controlling standard for the ABS
Classification of such a system. The process of pipeline route determination is not in the scope of ABS’
Classification of a pipeline system. However, the contents of these Guidance Notes provide a suggested
approach to this topic that should be beneficial to readers.
It is acknowledged that methods of survey data collection and interpretation, data assessment and routing
techniques, and risk assessment are constantly evolving. Improvements in these subjects are encouraged,
and the publication of these Guidance Notes is not to inhibit the use of applicable, proven technology.
These Guidance Notes become effective on the first day of the month of publication.
Users are advised to check periodically on the ABS website www.eagle.org to verify that this version of
these Guidance Notes is the most current.
We welcome your feedback. Comments or suggestions can be sent electronically by email to [email protected].
Terms of Use
The information presented herein is intended solely to assist the reader in the methodologies and/or techniques
discussed. These Guidance Notes do not and cannot replace the analysis and/or advice of a qualified
professional. It is the responsibility of the reader to perform their own assessment and obtain professional
advice. Information contained herein is considered to be pertinent at the time of publication, but may be
invalidated as a result of subsequent legislations, regulations, standards, methods, and/or more updated
information and the reader assumes full responsibility for compliance. This publication may not be copied
or redistributed in part or in whole without prior written consent from ABS.
ii ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

Table of Contents
GUIDANCE NOTES ON
SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION

CONTENTS
SECTION 1 Criteria for Pipeline Route Determination ............................................ 1
1 Introduction ......................................................................................... 1
1.1 Purpose and Scope ......................................................................... 1
1.3 Pipeline Route Selection Criteria and Determination Flowchart ...... 1
1.5 Required Documentation ................................................................. 2
1.7 Pipeline System Design Guides and Standards .............................. 3
3 Data Acquisition and Site Characterization ........................................ 3
3.1 Regional Geophysical Surveys........................................................ 4
3.3 Metocean Data ................................................................................ 7
3.5 Coring and In Situ Testing ............................................................... 8
3.7 Other Kinds of Surveys.................................................................... 9
5 Hazard Identification ......................................................................... 10
5.1 Geohazards ................................................................................... 10
5.3 Manmade Hazards ........................................................................ 21
5.5 Effect of Geohazards on Pipelines and General Responses ......... 21
7 Other Routing Considerations .......................................................... 22
7.1 Ecological and Environmental Constraints .................................... 22
7.3 Cultural Constraints ....................................................................... 23
7.5 Pipeline Curvature Constraint ........................................................ 23
7.7 Project-Specific Constraints .......................................................... 23
7.9 Onshore Routing ........................................................................... 23
TABLE 1 Geophysical Survey Types ....................................................... 5

TABLE 2 Potential Pipeline Geohazards and Manmade Hazards and
Response to Their Effect ........................................................ 22
FIGURE 1 Pipeline Route Determination Flowchart .................................. 2

FIGURE 2 Geophysical Survey Data Resolution Comparison ................... 6
FIGURE 3 AUV SBP, 3-D Seismic, and 2-D UHR Data Resolution
Comparison ............................................................................... 7
FIGURE 4 Geohazard Examples ............................................................. 11
FIGURE 5 Example Geometric Geohazards ............................................ 11
FIGURE 6 Mass Transport Deposits ........................................................ 13
FIGURE 7 Sediment Transport Pathways ................................................ 14
FIGURE 8 Erosion and Deposition ........................................................... 15
FIGURE 9 Tectonic Effects....................................................................... 16
ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 iii

FIGURE 10 Faults ......................................................................................17
FIGURE 11 Expulsion Features .................................................................18
FIGURE 12 Volcanic Activity ......................................................................19
FIGURE 13 Sea Ice ....................................................................................20
FIGURE 14 Anthropogenic-Generated Slope Failure ................................21
SECTION 2 Methods for Route Determination ....................................................... 24

1 Route Determination Options............................................................24
1.1 Required Input ............................................................................... 24
1.3 Required Software ......................................................................... 24
3 Geocost: Geohazard, Cultural, and Ecological Classification ..........25
3.1 Composite Geocost Map ............................................................... 26
5 Route Selection .................................................................................28
5.1 Manual Route Selection ................................................................. 28
5.3 Least-geocost Path Optimization ................................................... 28
5.5 Stochastic Simulation for Sensitivity Analysis ................................ 29
7 Route Evaluation ...............................................................................31
TABLE 1 Descriptions for Geocosts .......................................................25

TABLE 2 Examples of Typical Geocosts for Subsea Geohazards ........26
TABLE 3 Ranges of Sample Points Recommended for Stochastic
Simulation of Cost Surface Uncertainties ...............................30
FIGURE 1 Composite Geocost Map Premise ..........................................27

FIGURE 2 Composite Geocost Map ........................................................27
FIGURE 3 Least-Geocost Path Pipeline Routing .....................................29
FIGURE 4 Stochastic Simulations ............................................................30
SECTION 3 Risk Assessment .................................................................................. 32

1 Principles...........................................................................................32
1.1 Hazard Identification ...................................................................... 33
1.3 Risk Matrix ..................................................................................... 34
1.5 Site or Component Specific Risk Analysis ..................................... 36
TABLE 1 Example Risk Matrix ...............................................................35

TABLE 2 Example Risk Levels for Health and Safety, Environmental,
Social, and Financial Consequences ......................................36
FIGURE 1 Risk Assessment Flowchart ....................................................33
APPENDIX 1 Acronyms and Abbreviations .............................................................. 37
iv ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

APPENDIX 2 Case Study............................................................................................ 38
Step 1 Collect and evaluate available geological, geophysical,
geotechnical, and metocean data ..................................................... 39
Step 2 Collect, evaluate, classify, and weight geohazard, cultural,
environmental, and geotechnical constraints.................................... 40
Step 3 Create a geocost composite map and perform manual routing,
least-geocost routing, or stochastic simulations and select the
route. ................................................................................................. 44
Step 4 Perform an evaluation of the routing results ..................................... 46
Step 5 Risk Assessment .............................................................................. 47
Step 6 Route Selection ................................................................................. 48
Step 7 Recommendations ............................................................................ 50
TABLE 1 Geocosts for Geohazards, Manmade Hazards, and

Environmental Constraints ...................................................... 43
TABLE 2 Geocost Comparison .............................................................. 47
TABLE 3 Risk Assessment Levels ......................................................... 47
TABLE 4 Risk Assessment Matrix .......................................................... 48
TABLE 5 Geohazard Risk Values for Areas 1 through 5 ....................... 49
FIGURE 1 Pipeline Route Determination Flowchart ................................ 38

FIGURE 2 Study Area and Manifold Termini............................................ 39
FIGURE 3 Available Data ......................................................................... 40
FIGURE 4 Geometric Hazards ................................................................. 41
FIGURE 5 Geohazards, Manmade Hazards, and Environmental
Constraints .............................................................................. 42
FIGURE 6 Allocation of Geocosts to Seafloor Slope, Roughness, and
Geologic Hazards.................................................................... 43
FIGURE 7 Geocost Composite Map ........................................................ 45
FIGURE 8 Manual Route and Least-Geocost Route ............................... 46
FIGURE 9 Risk Assessment Areas along Least-Geocost Route ............. 49
ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 v

This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Section 1: Criteria for Pipeline Route Determination
SECTION 1 Criteria for Pipeline Route Determination
1 Introduction
These Guidance Notes are developed to support the selection of subsea pipeline routes by systematically
evaluating geological, geotechnical, ecological, and cultural factors that determine pipeline route suitability
and assessing the risks of pipeline route selection.
The procedures to determine a pipeline route in these Guidance Notes are built upon the important concept
using a geocost map, which is established on a project basis to reflect the quantified geo risks
corresponding to geometric and geologic hazards. Favorite route can be determined by selecting a path
which causes the least accumulated geocost.
1.1 Purpose and Scope

The purpose of these Guidance Notes is to assist in pipeline route determination by recognizing and
categorizing potential geological hazards (geohazards) as well as constraints ranging from cultural,
ecological, pipeline, and/or project specific constraints. Consideration of such geohazards and constraints will
help to reduce, control, or avoid potential engineering, construction, and operational problems.
These Guidance Notes are applicable to the offshore pipelines that are defined in ABS Guide for Building
and Classing Subsea Pipeline Systems. The pipelines can be trenched, buried, as-laid, or even anchored.
The objectives of these Guidance Notes are to:
• Specify appropriate data to be collected and interpreted as part of a phased approach for selection of
potential pipeline corridors or routes.
• Provide a representative but not exhaustive list of potential geohazards, ecological, cultural, and
economic constraints, and possible effects on pipeline development and related infrastructure.
• Describe options for pipeline route selection and evaluation of route alternatives.
• Establish a general risk assessment procedure that can be used as a guide for specific projects.
1.3 Pipeline Route Selection Criteria and Determination Flowchart

The favorable pipeline route is the shortest path that minimizes the summation score of geocost between two
termini. But the design working space for the route determination is bounded by applicable constraints that
restrict the pipeline from passing through.
Pipeline route determination flowchart, Section 1, Figure 1, illustrates a systematic approach of selecting
pipeline route. This systematic approach consists of a series of steps that are grouped into three sections within
these Guidance Notes.
In the beginning, geo data collection and route constraint recognition are performed to collect information
within the project working area. The general required information such as geophysical data, geotechnical
investigations, and geological studies are stated in Subsection 1/3. Geohazard constraints are discussed in
Subsection 1/5. Cultural, environmental, and geotechnical routing constraints are covered in Subsection 1/7.
Following that, geohazard classification and weighting procedure are conducted which are described in
Subsection 2/3 and the development of the geocost map is stated in 2/3.1. Route determination methods
(manual, least geocost, stochastic) are then discussed in Subsection 2/5 followed by route evaluation given in
Subsection 2/7.
Finally, risk assessment and route acceptance are performed in accordance with Subsection 3/1.
ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 1

Section 1 Criteria for Pipeline Route Determination
FIGURE 1
Pipeline Route Determination Flowchart
1.5 Required Documentation

Recommended procedures for subsea pipeline route determination are based primarily on the following
kinds of data and documents in order to demonstrate that the route selected meets all pertinent acceptance
criteria:
• Data required to assess seabed conditions where a pipeline will be installed: 2-D or 3-D seismic, multibeam
bathymetry, multibeam backscatter, side scan sonar, geotechnical or geological cores, pipeline termini,
manifold locations, existing infrastructure, envrionmentally sensitive areas, pipe geometry and properties,
loads and load matrix (pressure and temperature at installation, testing, and operation conditions).
• Specialist reports on geophysical surveys
• Specialist reports on geotechnical or geological cores
• Specialist reports on soil sampling/testing and pipe-soil interaction, including sea-bed and near sub-
surface soil conditions as well as pipe-soil interaction.
• Special study reports (if applicable) to identify parameters and/or actions that require special
consideration and/or monitoring during soil sampling/testing, material testing, fabrication, installation,
post installation survey and and operation.
2 ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

The data and documents listed above are those required for route determination. In the case of routes that have
been determined, a route determination report describing the procedures used and a risk assessment report
are also expected.
1.7 Pipeline System Design Guides and Standards

For subsea pipeline engineering standards and codes focusing on engineering design, material selection,
installation, inspection, and soil site investigation, references can be made to the following:
• ABS Guide for Building and Classing Subsea Pipeline Systems (Pipeline Guide)
• ABS Rules for Building and Classing Offshore Installations
• API RP 1111
• API RP 2RD
• API 5L
• ASME B31.4
• ASME B31.8
3 Data Acquisition and Site Characterization

This Subsection describes methods used to collect the data necessary to evaluate potential pipeline routes
and discusses aspects pertinent to subsea pipeline route selection. 1/3.1 discusses regional geophysical surveys
required for optimal assessment of seafloor and shallow subsurface geological conditions. 1/3.3 addresses
the importance of collecting relevant metocean data for assessment of conditions prior to pipeline selection.
1/3.5 emphasizes the importance of collecting geological and geotechnical core samples to obtain design
level information once a preliminary pipeline route or corridor has been determined.
Pipeline route selection as outlined in Section 1, Figure 1 is an iterative process in which the quality of the
information collected is refined as the cycle is repeated. For example, during the first iteration a provisional
route might be determined on the basis of a desktop study and existing regional geophysical data with little
route-specific geotechnical information. Such a provisional route, or more likely a corridor several kilometers
wide, can then be used to target collection of more detailed geophysical and geotechnical information to
further refine the route until uncertainty and risk are reduced to an acceptable level.
A desktop study is an initial step that can define the regional geologic setting within the area of a potential
pipeline route, using existing information. The desktop study should involve an understanding of the regional
geology from published studies, nearby locations, and analogous sites. Integration of all available data is
important at this point. The information that is considered in a desktop study can include public domain
bathymetric (water depth) maps (e.g., GEBCO – General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans, Admiralty e-
Nautical Publications) produced using different methods, scientific publications, or regional information
such as 2-D or 3-D seismic reflection data used to guide petroleum exploration and development.
Regional geophysical surveys are a convenient starting point for route selection because, having been collected
to support oil and gas exploration, they are typically available early in the process. They can therefore be
used to support determination of one or more preliminary route corridors along which additional geophysical,
geotechnical, and geological information can be collected and used to refine the route. One disadvantage of
regional geophysical data is that they may be available over the reservoir or field development area but
perhaps not along the full length of any export route corridors. Additional data may be required in order to
properly evaluate export route corridors or other areas of concern such as the source areas of long-runout
slope failures (e.g., debris flows) that may affect pipeline operation.
Additional high-resolution geophysical surveys, geotechnical in-situ testing and sampling, and geohazard cores
are required for optimal assessment of seafloor and subsurface conditions. However, they are generally obtained
only after a preliminary route corridor is established. Additional data that can be helpful during the assessment
process consists of regional seismicity data, metocean criteria, tsunami hazard and risk assessment, and
environmental data.

3.1 Regional Geophysical Surveys

Regional surveys cover hundreds to thousands of square kilometers and are a minimal requirement for
route selection. Regional surveys most typically consist of 3-D seismic reflection and hull-mounted or towed
reconnaissance multibeam echosounder (MBES) surveys obtained for oil and gas exploration. However,
high-resolution bathymetric and subsurface data obtained from autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)
may be obtained to support major subsea developments and thus, be available for pipeline route selection
(Tootill et al., 2004). AUV and hull-mounted data typically comprise MBES bathymetric or water-depth
coverage, backscatter data, side scan sonar (SSS) seafloor imagery, and sub-bottom profiler (SBP) lines
that depict shallow (e.g., < 50 m) subsurface strata and other geologic features. Sub-bottom profiling is a
simple but very high resolution variation on seismic reflection.
The kinds and sizes of features that can be identified with these surveys depend on the resolution of the data.
Several survey types are listed in Section 1, Table 1 along with their uses, features that can be identified,
typical resolution limits and advantages and limitations. The smallest features that can be mapped and
confidently interpreted by an experienced geologist typically have characteristic lengths on the order of ten
times the bin or raster size of the survey grid. Smaller seafloor features may exist but are not likely to be
mappable. For 3-D seismic reflection surveys, bin sizes typically range from 10 m to 20 m. However, bin
sizes as small as 0.5 m to 2 m are common in AUV surveys. Thus, features with characteristic lengths less
than 200 m or areas smaller than 40,000 m2 may be difficult or impossible to discern using 3-D seismic
reflection data with a 20-m bin size. The equivalent thresholds for AUV bathymetric data with a 2-m bin size,
in contrast, would be 20 m characteristic length and 400 m2 area. Section 1, Figure 2 illustrates the difference
in resolution between AUV MBES data, using different bin sizes over the same geologic feature. Smaller
bin sizes will display more detail. Some effects that may limit interpretation to much lower resolutions include
excessive biogenic gas that may affect the quality of the geophysical data or high shear strength glacial
deposits, boulders, authigenic carbonate hardgrounds, or sub-cropping bedrock that may affect the penetration
limit of SBP thus eliminating detailed subsurface interpretation.
Similar limits exist for the vertical resolution of regional geophysical data sets, and are commonly expressed
in terms of the vertical limit of separability (VLS). The VLS is an estimate of the thinnest layer or stratum
for which both the top and bottom of a layer can be delineated on a particular geophysical survey. It will
depend on the frequency of the sound waves used during the seismic survey and the speed at which the
sound waves are transmitted through the strata. For 3-D seismic surveys used in oil and gas exploration,
the VLS may be on the order of 8 m to 10 m. For sub-bottom profiles, which use a much higher frequency
energy source, the VLS is on the order of several tens of centimeters and are generally considered more
appropriate for detailed pipeline route assessment.

TABLE 1
Geophysical Survey Types
Typical Typical
Survey Type Uses Features Identified Horizontal Vertical Advantages Limitations
Resolution Resolution
Identifying Faults, landslides, mass
stratigraphy and transport deposits, fluid Regional
Lower
structural, regional expulsion features, coverage and
10 m to 10’s to 100’s resolutions
3-D Seismic bathymetry, channel systems, buried regional
25 m of meters compared to
exploration for structure (faults and geologic
other surveys
hydrocarbon folds), buried stratigraphy, interpretation
reservoirs buried gas/hydrate
Provides higher
Shallow seafloor features,
resolution than Time
HR or UHR High resolution of buried structures, buried
3-D seismic to consuming and
2-D seismic stratigraphy and structure (faults and N/A 2 m to 4 m
resolve costly to cover
reflection structure folds), buried stratigraphy,
subsurface a large area
buried gas/hydrate
conditions
Provides higher
Manmade objects, faults, resolution than
Identify near- 10’s of Features may
Sub-Bottom fluid expulsion features, 2-D and 3-D
seabed shallow centimeters not be detected
Profiler shallow buried structure N/A seismic to
stratigraphic and to 10’s of depending on
(SBP) (faults and folds), shallow resolve shallow
structural horizons meters line spacing
buried stratigraphy subsurface
conditions
Resolution
High resolution
decreases with
bathymetry, Faults, landslides, mass
Provides high water depth
Multibeam backscatter transport deposits, fluid
0.1 m to resolution depending on
Echosounder (intensity showing expulsion features, N/A
15 m imagery of the sensor height
(MBES) hard or soft channel systems at the
seafloor (e.g., hull-
material), water seafloor
mounted
column data
versus AUV)
May not
Detection of
Provides high resolve
manmade objects, Manmade objects, faults, centimeters
Side Scan resolution features on
assess harder fluid expulsion features, to N/A
Sonar imagery of steep slopes
material versus hardground decimeters
seafloor objects due to data
softer material
shadows
3.1.1 3-D Seismic Reflection

3-D seismic reflection surveys are based upon sound waves passing through geological strata. Energy
that is reflected off the interfaces between strata with different material properties is recorded by
receivers known as hydrophones, and used to create a 3-D model of the strata. Marine 3-D seismic
surveys also provide data that model the seafloor as well as subsurface geological conditions, because
sound waves are reflected by the seafloor and interfaces between strata. These data are processed
into seismic cubes or volumes for interpretation using specialized software. 3-D seismic data can
be conventional exploration data or further processed to enhance geological features of interest for
early stage interpretations (Section 1, Figure 3). The amplitude or strength of the seafloor reflection
can sometimes be used to infer the nature of sediments in the few meters directly beneath the seafloor.
Sandy seafloor sediments, for example, may have much higher amplitudes than clayey seafloor
sediments. Information on line spacing, data processing, frequency of the seismic source signal,
and quality (e.g., VLS) should be provided in any geological interpretation of 3-D seismic data.

FIGURE 2
Geophysical Survey Data Resolution Comparison
3.1.2 High-resolution or Ultra-high-resolution 2-D Seismic Reflection

High-resolution (HR) or ultra-high-resolution (UHR) 2-D seismic reflection surveys are generally
required for advanced pipeline development if 3-D seismic surveys are not sufficient to resolve shallow
subsurface conditions beyond the depth limits of sub-bottom profiles. The vertical resolution of
HR or UHR 2-D surveys is generally 2 m to 4 m and several hundred meters of depth penetration
can be obtained.
Section 1, Figure 3 compares the resolution of typical 3-D exploration seismic, 2-D UHR seismic,
and sub-bottom profiles. Section 1, Figure 3(a) shows how AUV SBP data provide a better image
of the top 30 m of the subsurface and help to delineate multiple geological layers compared to the
exploration 3-D seismic data. Section 1, Figure 3(b) illustrates how 2-D UHR seismic data provide
a better image the deeper subsurface and help to delineate multiple geological layers compared to
the exploration 3-D seismic data.
3.1.3 Sub-bottom Profiler
Sub-bottom profilers collect very high frequency single channel acoustic data to produce profiles
similar to vertical seismic sections (Section 1, Figure 3). Penetration depths can range from less than
10 m to 100 m, depending on the energy source and the nature of the strata being profiled. SBP
data can identify stratigraphic, structural, or geomorphological features, and help identify shallow
hazards such as fluid expulsion features and faults. The high frequency signals used by sub-bottom
profiles, which are in the kHz range, yield vertical limits of separability values typically on the order
of decimeters.
3.1.4 Multibeam Echosounder
Multibeam echosounding sends an acoustic pulse to the seafloor and then records the reflected
sound wave. This technique measures the travel time of the pulse from the MBES system to the
seafloor, which is further processed to produce a bathymetric surface and a record of the acoustic
energy (backscatter intensity) returned to the receiver. Strong backscatter anomalies can represent
seafloor sediments that are coarser or denser than surrounding sediments and, in that regard, are
similar to seafloor reflection amplitudes from 3-D seismic reflection data. Hull-mounted MBES
systems are cost-effective and used for regional surveys because continuous surveying can be
completed over a large area; however, their resolution is strongly depth-dependent. Shallow hull-
mounted data can be quite good compared to deepwater hull-mounted data. AUV MBES surveys
can provide much higher resolution than hull-mounted surveys because they collect data at heights
of a few tens of meters or less above the seafloor; however, they are more expensive and time
consuming than hull-mounted surveys, and thus, are often used for limited areas identified during
preliminary studies.

FIGURE 3
AUV SBP, 3-D Seismic, and 2-D UHR Data Resolution Comparison
3.1.5 Side Scan Sonar

Side scan sonar (SSS) measures the relative reflection strength of sound pulses reflecting off the
seafloor. Individual side scan sonar data lines can be overlain to create a mosaic image. The intensity
of the reflection energy can give an indication of the composition of seafloor sediments and manmade
objects on the seafloor. High reflectivity sonar anomalies (which are typically shown in darker tones
on mosaic images) can represent harder or coarser (e.g., sandy) seafloor material when compared
to surrounding sediments. Low reflectivity sonar (typically shown as lighter tones on the mosaic
images) indicate softer or finer (e.g., clayey) sediments. Side scan sonar is capable of detecting very
small and very large features however, specific requirements may request surveys that are capable
of resolving features on the seafloor that are at least 1 m long by 1 m wide by 1 m high. The size
of a feature that is resolved in side scan sonar is dependent on specific survey parameters such as
the speed of the vessel and towfish height.
3.3 Metocean Data

The collection of metocean (meteorological and oceanographic) data should be considered in the early stages
of development, because it can take a significant amount of time to obtain relevant data. Wind, waves, or
currents can be measured and monitored from the surface to great depths and can change the geomorphic
features on the seafloor over the life of a pipeline project. These changing conditions can lead to sediment
scouring, static and dynamic loading, loss of support, supply of deposition, and pipeline free-spans that
may give rise to damaging vortex-induced vibrations.
Wind, currents, and waves can affect pipeline installation and can also result in changing conditions after
the pipeline has been installed. Winds can have a direct effect on currents during storm surges while waves
can affect pipelines in shallower waters through soil liquefaction, for instance. Waves in waters less than
150 m are considered a major source of dynamic loads (see Chapter 3, Section 3 of the Pipeline Guide) and
waves in any water depth will affect the transfer of lay vessel motions to pipeline motions at the seafloor,
influencing the as-laid embedment of the pipeline. Currents can affect installation and lead to seafloor scouring,
subsequent pipeline free-spanning, and vortex induced vibrations. It is therefore important to have statistical
or historic data to properly characterize the metocean conditions along potential pipeline routes. If such
data are available and suggest conditions conducive to excessive erosion or sedimentation, that information
can be incorporated into the route selection process.

3.5 Coring and In Situ Testing

Thorough interpretation of geophysical surveys is essential for determining the optimal locations for
geotechnical and geological cores.
Geotechnical cores are generally used to obtain design level information once a preliminary pipeline route
or corridor has been determined to provide an early indication of soil conditions which may be necessary
for conceptual design.
Geological cores are intended for detailed stratigraphic and sedimentological logging and age dating that can
provide insights into types, numbers, magnitudes, and frequency of geologic events such as mass transport
events or turbidity flows affecting a region. Geological cores provide a record of the recent geologic history
of a development area or route corridor and changes in geologic conditions over time, which can be used to
support decisions about the possible future conditions that should be anticipated. Geological cores can also
be used to calibrate geophysical data or help to identify features that are not easily discernible using geophysical
data. Geological cores should be used to test specific hypotheses about the geologic setting of the project
area rather than to blindly collect information; they can be useful both before and after a preliminary route
or corridor has been selected.
To specify the best location, quantity, and type of geotechnical and geological core locations a comprehensive
assessment of the study area using the geophysical data and a desk study should be completed. Arbitrary or
regularly-spaced core locations may not be optimal because important information may be missed. Cores
should be taken where maximum information about the soil conditions and geological processes would be
gained.
The different kinds of testing and logging performed on geotechnical and geological cores almost always
make them mutually exclusive, and it is highly unusual to use a core for both geotechnical testing and
geological logging without significantly compromising one or both aspects. Therefore, geotechnical cores
and geological cores should be planned and located separately from each other; however, the cores can be
taken close together to obtain information at the same location.
3.5.1 Geotechnical Cores and In Situ Testing
Geotechnical cores and in situ testing provide information about the sediment composition (e.g.,
carbonaceous versus siliceous), geotechnical index properties such as Atterberg limits, strength, and
pore pressure. They can also provide valuable information for analysis such as scour and slope stability
assessment.
Geotechnical cores can be taken using a variety of methods that include free-falling, gravity-driven
boxes (box cores), piston cores, and jumbo piston cores (JPC), robotic seafloor drilling rigs, and
geotechnical drill ships. The piston core (or JPC) device is lowered then gradually placed on the
seafloor, at which point the device is triggered and the core barrel falls freely into the sediment. A
piston within the core barrel helps to reduce sediment disturbance. A box core can obtain a sample
that is 0.3 m wide by 0.3 m long by 0.8 m deep. Piston cores typically have a 3 inch diameter and
are about 12 m long. A JPC has a 4 inch diameter and is 30 m long.
Soil samples are retrieved from geotechnical cores and are generally preserved in plastic cylinders
or bags to minimize disturbance. Soil properties needed for pipeline design and route determination
can be obtained either onboard the geotechnical survey vessel using handheld tools in a basic
laboratory, or by returning cores to an onshore soil testing laboratory where both routine and
specialized testing should be undertaken.
Piston gravity corers have been used extensively for pipeline soil investigations in deep water.
Inspection of the top decimeters of samples, however, often discloses partial loss or remolding of
the material, in which case the sample cannot be used for accurate measurements at very low stresses.
Concerns have also arisen with jumbo piston corers regarding their capacity to capture subtle changes
in the geotechnical parameters in the top decimeters below seafloor, due to possible washing-out
of the extremely soft seafloor materials during the initial phase of free-fall penetration.
Box core samples are typically of high quality, but the extremely soft nature of seafloor soils does
not allow any sub-sampling without disturbing the material. In situ testing inside the box (using a
mini T-bar) is therefore the usual way to obtain relevant shear strength data.

In situ testing using a cone penetrometer (CPT) allows determination of key soil parameters such
as undisturbed soil strengths and the soil relative density, and help classify the soils along a considered
pipeline route. A piezocone penetration test (PCPT) can also measure excess pore pressure ahead
of the cone, which is useful for determining the drainage properties of the soil. Cyclic ‘full flow’
penetrometer testing that uses larger instruments such as T-bars and ball-shaped tools allow for the
assessment of strength degradation, which is useful for assessing pipe-soil interaction forces for
use in pipeline design, but also for foundation design of related seabed infrastructure.
3.5.2 Geological Cores
Geological cores can provide information about the geological history along a potential pipeline route,
for example the age, frequency, and types of depositional events such as mass transport events and
turbidity flows; the geological nature of sediments comprising the cored interval; and the existence
of geologic hazards that were identified from previous geophysical surveys. Interpretation of geological
events from the sedimentary record is specialist work that requires trained and experienced
geoscientists; it should not be confused with basic sediment or soil type descriptions obtained from
geotechnical testing programs. Samples can be obtained for age dating techniques such as radiocarbon
(14C), micropaleontological, or other kinds of absolute dating methods in order to establish the
frequency or recurrence intervals of dated events. Establishment of temporal frequencies or recurrence
intervals relies on continuous undisturbed cores. Piston cores taken for geohazard logging should
be paired with box cores so that the surface material is preserved which is of greatest interest.
3.7 Other Kinds of Surveys

Surveys that provide high-resolution imagery of the seafloor can be performed along a potential pipeline
corridor, and can be particularly useful for identifying features that can only be inferred from geophysical
data.
3.7.1 Seafloor Video Recordings
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are tethered underwater machines controlled by a surface
operator. ROVs provide visual access in areas where it would be difficult for other data collection
platforms (e.g., AUVs) to maneuver, for example, around steep slopes, highly variable seafloor, or
areas with existing infrastructure. ROVs can collect detailed video imagery of the seafloor that can
be used to confirm geological or manmade features interpreted from the geophysical data.
3.7.2 AUV Photo Imagery
AUVs and ROVs can collect photographs close to the seafloor (typically from a distance of 7 m to
10 m) that can be geo-referenced and used to create a photomosaic image of the seafloor. A mosaic
can be used to assist in calibration of side scan sonar data and verify geological, ecological, or
cultural features inferred from geophysical data.
3.7.3 Magnetometer Surveys
Magnetometer surveys that measure magnetic field strength can help detect ferrous (iron-rich) or
magnetically susceptible features lying on or buried into the seafloor. A magnetometer is typically
towed no more than 6 m above the seafloor and several ship-lengths behind the vessel to avoid
erroneous readings associated with the vessel’s magnetic field. Magnetometer surveys are useful for
detecting manmade objects such as barrels or shipwrecks, igneous intrusions, and iron-rich channel
infill sequences.
3.7.4 Seismic Refraction Surveys
Seismic refraction may provide increased resolution for the upper meters of soil and therefore refine
assessment of the soft sediment cover thickness. Seismic refraction provides the compression wave
velocity, Vp, of each soil layer. The velocity, Vp, is related to the compactness of sediments and the
density, weathering, and fracturing of underlying bedrock. The more compact and the less weathered
the rock, the higher the Vp. Compressive wave velocity alone does not differentiate between loose
to medium sand and soft clay, and between dense to very dense sand, and firm to stiff clay. Hence
CPT test data and cores are still necessary to verify refraction interpretation.

5 Hazard Identification
5.1 Geohazards
A geohazard can be an active geological event such as a landslide or movement along a fault, or a passive
geologic attribute such as seafloor roughness (as caused by boulders or sediment waves) that can lead to
damage of subsea infrastructure or make construction difficult.
Shallow water and deepwater marine geohazards can be identified using geophysical surveys and knowledge
about them can be refined using geological and/or geotechnical cores. The distribution of geohazards varies
throughout the world depending on the general and local geological and tectonic setting. Section 1, Figure 4
illustrates a variety of geologically-related hazards (geometric geohazards or geologic geohazards) and
geohazard triggers relevant to subsea pipelines. Geometric geohazards are those that can be identified on
the basis of calculations alone, for example slope angle or seafloor roughness. Geologic geohazards are
modern or past processes such as slope failures, fluid expulsion, or gravity driven sediment flows; they
generally cannot be identified on the basis of calculations alone, but instead require interpretation of a
variety of geological data describing the nature of the seafloor and underlying strata.
5.1.1 Geohazard Triggers
Section 1, Figure 4 schematically shows geohazard triggers such as earthquakes, hurricane winds,
tsunamis, and bottom currents. Natural events such as earthquakes are impossible to accurately predict
and are usually analyzed as random processes with annual probabilities of occurrence. Hurricane
prediction and trajectory are better understood today than in the past. However, warnings will not
help to prevent damage to existing seafloor facilities that are in the path of the hurricane. Thus,
historical records of hurricane occurrence must be used to estimate possible future events. Tsunamis
are large, fast moving waves that result from earthquakes or landslides. Tsunamis can potentially
lead to damage of a pipeline due to wave impact or currents. General metocean effects such as bottom
currents can cause sediment mobility resulting in areas of scour on the seafloor.
5.1.2 Geometric Geohazards
Seafloor conditions can be assessed using geometric geohazards (Section 1, Figure 4). In the absence
of a comprehensive geological assessment, geohazards that can be identified by calculating attributes
from a digital elevation model (DEM) of the seafloor are considered geometric hazards (Section 1,
Figure 5). These include seafloor slope (the first derivative of the digital elevation model), seafloor
curvature (various formulations exist, but they are in general expressions of the second derivative
of the seafloor), or seafloor roughness (also known as rugosity, and a measure of the local variability
of the seafloor).
Section 1, Figure 5 provides some examples of geometric geohazards such as seafloor curvature
[Figure 5(a)], seafloor roughness [Figure 5(b)], and seafloor slope [Figure 5(c)]. The colors on each
example represent the variability of the geometric hazard across the study area. Areas in blue are
considered less severe compared to areas in red which are more severe.
Seafloor roughness can be quantified using a variety of measures, each of which has advantages and
disadvantages. Seafloor roughness is the variability of a topographic surface at a given scale and an
example [shown below in Section 1, Figure 5(b)] can be calculated from the moving window
standard deviation of the residual bathymetry. The residual bathymetry is derived from subtracting
a geometrically smoothed (averaged) bathymetry from the original bathymetry. Low values of seafloor
roughness correspond to areas of gentle sloping seafloor, whereas high values of seafloor roughness
correspond to areas of erosion, buried mass transport deposits, sediment waves, or landslides.
Steep seafloor slopes [Section 1, Figure 5(c)] can indicate features such as areas prone to slope failure,
seafloor undulations (e.g., sediment waves, buried landslides), edges of erosional channels, and
seafloor mounds.

FIGURE 4
Geohazard Examples*
*Figure 4 modeled after: Thomas et al., 2010, Nadim and Kvalstad, 2007, and Chiocci et al., 2011.
FIGURE 5
Example Geometric Geohazards

5.1.3 Geologic Geohazards

Geologic geohazards that can affect pipeline installation and development come in a variety of
forms (Section 1, Figures 4 and 5) and can be interpreted from 2-D and 3-D seismic data, AUV
MBES bathymetry and backscatter, side scan sonar, and sub-bottom profiler data as well as from
geotechnical and geological core logging. Geohazards can be dynamic (or potentially dynamic) or
static. It is important to recognize and accurately map the seafloor and shallow subsurface affected
by geohazards.
i) Dynamic and Static Geohazards. Features or processes that actively affect the modern
seafloor such as active fluid expulsion or an area of ongoing sediment deposition (e.g.,
Mississippi Delta) are considered dynamic geohazards. Dynamic geohazards are associated
with geologic processes such as submarine landslides, debris flows, fluid expulsion at the
seafloor, and movement along faults. Dynamic geohazards generally cannot be directly
observed. Instead, their past occurrence must be inferred from the nature of geologic deposits
or stratigraphic relationships produced by the hazardous processes. If dynamic geohazards
can be shown to have occurred in the recent geologic past, they must be considered as
possible future hazards and incorporated into the pipeline route selection process. If there
is no evidence for a geologically recent occurrence of the process, the seafloor geohazards
can be considered to be static rather than dynamic. Static geohazards are interpreted
geologic features that have a geomorphological influence on the seafloor. These hazards
were, at one time, active processes that were forming on or depositing on the seafloor. A
feature may be identified as a static geohazard and will likely not be active within the life
of an offshore project; however, conditions can change due to unforeseen circumstances
such as anthropogenic activity or earth-driven events (meteorological/seismic) and the
static hazard could be regenerated and considered dynamic.
Some examples of geohazards are discussed below and are supported with figures or
images illustrating an example of the geohazard. Geohazards can be complex entities of
process versus depositional unit or feature. The geohazards outlined below define how
common nomenclature of geohazards can be interpreted as either dynamic or static. This
is not an exhaustive list of geohazards and it is important to recognize that every project
area will be unique and have a variety of hazards that require a thorough assessment by an
experienced team of geoscientists and engineers.
ii) Mass Transport Deposits (MTDs)
a) Dynamic: MTDs result from gravity-driven movement (i.e., a mass flow or failure)
of large amounts (millions of cubic meters) of material that is deposited downslope
[Section 1, Figure 6(a)]. Some examples of mass flows or failures include: landslides,
slumps, debris flows, rockfall, or topple (Section 1, Figure 4). A landslide occurs
when a main body detaches from a main scarp along a rupture plane or several
rupture planes and stays intact as is moves down slope. Slumps or creep can occur
gradationally over time. Debris flows consist of complex mixtures of sediment and
debris. These sediment mixtures are dependent on grain to grain contact to support
the continuous flow of the debris, which can be transported great distances from
their source. Rockfall occurs when material falls from steep slopes and is deposited
as large, rubbly blocks. Topple implies masses of material that have detached along
a surface and have fallen or toppled onto the seafloor. Mass flows or failures can
be generated by tectonic uplift, seismicity, or gravitational collapse due to over-
steepening of sediments along steep slopes. Mass failures are prevalent along steep
escarpments, canyon walls, or along the margin of graben complexes. MTDs in an
area may indicate the potential for future occurrences that may damage pipelines.
• Effect on Pipeline: The placement of a pipeline near areas prone to gravity-
driven, mass transport events should be carefully evaluated. A pipeline in the
direct path of a mass transport event can be moved or seriously damaged.
Depending on the orientation of the pipeline relative to the direction of the
mass flow, the pipeline may be displaced, compressed, buried, ruptured or
scoured if the movement of the mass flow is perpendicular to the pipeline. If
the movement of the mass flow is parallel, the pipeline may experience
stretching, compression, burial, compression, rupture, or scour.

b) Static: The irregular topography and variable geotechnical properties of a mass

transport deposit or landslide deposit [Section 1, Figure 6(b)] on the seafloor can
have an effect on pipeline route determination. The principal static geohazards
associated with mass transport deposits at or directly below the seafloor are moderate
to steep-sloped mounds due to bouldery surfaces or deep, steep-sided depressions
due to the hummocky nature.
• Effect on Pipeline: The steep slope angles associated with the irregular surface
of a mass transport deposit can create pipeline free-spans. The heterogeneous
nature of mass transport deposits consisting of hard and soft sediments can lead
to highly variable geotechnical properties and result in possible displacement
or differential embedment of the pipeline.
FIGURE 6
Mass Transport Deposits
iii) Sediment Transport Pathways

a) Static: Examples of sediment pathways include subsea canyons, complex channel
systems [Section 1, Figures 4 and 7(a)], and smaller gullies. Although the pathways
themselves are static features, processes that utilize the pathways – such as mass
flows or turbidity currents – are dynamic. Flows can move rapidly through the
pathways, depositing large amounts of sediment downslope. Canyons and deeply
incised channels can range from tens of meters to kilometers in width and have
steep, unstable slopes. Gullies can be tens of meters wide and have steep to
moderate slopes.
• Effect on Pipeline: Potential problems that may arise from placement of a
pipeline within or across a sediment transport pathway need to be considered
when selecting a route. The location and direction of the crossing are critical.
Steep slopes and slopes prone to mass failures should be avoided to the
extent possible in order to minimize impact on the pipeline if a failure were
to occur. If a pipeline crosses a steep slope it may be susceptible to pipeline
free-spans or may become buried, dislocated, or scoured by mass transport
deposits due to failure along unstable slopes and flows moving through the
sediment transport pathways.

FIGURE 7
Sediment Transport Pathways
iv) Sediment Erosion and Deposition

a) Dynamic: Active processes such as hurricanes, tsunamis, wave action, or
bottom-currents [Section 1, Figures 4 and 8(a)] can cause erosion and deposition
through the initiation of turbulent fluidized flows and sediment mobility. Active
processes can occur as a consequence of tidal or wave action and currents, which
can generate undulating deposits of ripples, sand waves, or sediment waves.
Sediment waves are undulating, depositional and dynamic bedforms that are formed
beneath a current flowing at, or close to, the seafloor. Sediment waves are thought to
have formed from repeated downslope-flowing turbidity currents or along-slope-
flowing bottom currents. Turbidity currents are fast-moving, fluidized flows
comprising a turbulent mixture seawater and sediment. Continuous deposition
from turbidity currents results in a seafloor that is typically scoured or covered by
depositional lobes of sediment known as turbidites.
• Effect on Pipeline: Erosion can lead to burial, displacement, scour and
undercutting of the seafloor below the pipeline, creating unsupported pipeline
spans and loss of support. Deposition of sediment can lead to compression,
burial, or possible rupture of a pipeline or differential loading of slopes,
potentially making the slopes unstable. Continuous sediment deposition or
movement of sediment waves may lead to pipeline free-spans, and can create
difficulties in designing reliable solutions for a pipeline that expand and
contract during cycles of thermal loading.
b) Static: Ripples [Section 1, [Figure 8(b)], sand waves, or sediment waves (Section 1,
Figure 4) that have resulted from past erosion and deposition can produce undulating
or irregular seafloor topography. The geotechnical properties of the seafloor may
be quite variable due to the heterogeneity of the sediments.
• Effect on Pipeline: Undulating seafloor is generally not considered a significant
hazard to pipelines; however the uneven nature of the seafloor can lead to
pipeline free-spans. Areas that are not obviously mobile may become so
post-installation due to changes in the local hydraulic regime.

FIGURE 8
Erosion and Deposition
v) Tectonic Effects
a) Dynamic: Active tectonic processes can lead to earthquakes, liquefaction on the
seafloor, strain softening of sediments, and long term excess pore pressures. Salt
upwelling (known as diapirism) is common in some sedimentary basins such as
the Gulf of Mexico. Salt is more buoyant than the overlying sediments and can
move upward to create domes and ridges on the seafloor [Section 1, Figure 9(a)],
or outwards and can withdraw leaving behind significant basins. Salt tectonic activity
is, in many ways, different to regional plate tectonics; it is governed more by the
effects of regional slope, vertical loading (in response to fluctuating sediment input),
and the nature of the original salt deposit. Uplift zones associated with ongoing
tectonic activity are dynamic geohazards because they may create conditions
conducive to chronic large-scale slope failure. Many tectonically active basins
(e.g., along the Banda Arc) feature recurrent, small landslides. Whereas passive
margins slopes may have low angle slopes, slow rates of sediment accumulation,
limited tectonic modification (if any), yet they feature some of the largest mass
movements on Earth (e.g., Storegga, Norway, or the northwest African margin).
• Effect on Pipeline: Earthquake activity can liquefy the seafloor, leading to
pipeline displacement, free-spans, possible rupture, and overstressing of
connections to other infrastructure. Areas with active salt movement can
have steep slopes prone to landslides that can result in burial, compression,
or rupture to the pipeline.

FIGURE 9
Tectonic Effects
vi) Faults
a) Dynamic: Faults form in environments such as subsiding basins or areas of uplift
associated with salt diapirism. Faults can be normal, reverse, growth, strike-slip,
or polygonal or a combination of any of these. Normal faults [Section 1, Figure
10(a) and 10(b)] form when a large mass (hanging wall) moves downward relative
to another mass (footwall) along a fault plane, and are most common in areas
undergoing uplift or regional extension. Reverse faults form when the hanging
wall moves upwards relative to the footwall and tend to be common in regional
fold belts. Strike-slip faults have only horizontal movement along the fault plane.
Polygonal faults can form as a result of sediment compaction and dewatering.
Different criteria may exist for what is considered a dynamic or active fault. The
California Department of Conservation and California Geological Survey (CGS)
considers a fault active when it has had recent geological movement, for example,
evidence of movement within the Holocene (< 11,000 years before present) (CGS,
2007) or potentially active if there was any surface displacement during the
Quaternary (< 1.6 million years). With the absence of age-dating to verify the last
movement or recurrence interval on a fault, other indications such as the offset of
the hemipelagic drape or faults that extend to the seafloor [Section 1, Figure 10(a)]
may be considered active. These faults require additional investigations to establish
their date of last movement, average slip rate, and likelihood of movement during
the life of a pipeline. If such investigations cannot be undertaken prior to pipeline
route determination, faults cutting the seafloor should be considered active.
• Effect on Pipeline: A pipeline that is laid across a fault may be susceptible to
pipeline free-spans, stretching, displacement, or rupture if there is any significant
movement along the fault during the life of a pipeline. The distinction between
normal and reverse faults is important because normal fault movement will
stretch a pipeline built over a fault scarp whereas reverse fault movement
will shorten or buckle a pipeline built over a fault scarp. The can also affect
the stability and integrity of any structure connected to the pipeline.

b) Static: A fault with no recent geological movement (> 1.6 million years before
present) is considered an inactive fault [Section 1, Figure 10(b)]. Typically these
faults have been significantly buried by younger sediments and have no direct
impact on a pipeline, however may have had an impact on the current topography
of the seafloor.
• Effect on Pipeline: A pipeline that is laid across an area where an inactive
fault has previously shaped the seafloor, such as along steep fault scarps,
may be susceptible to pipeline free-spans.
FIGURE 10
Faults
vii) Fluid Expulsion Features

a) Dynamic: Actively forming features created by gas, fluid, or sediment expulsion
onto the seafloor include mounds, craters (mud volcanoes), or depressions
(pockmarks). Fluid expulsion mounds form as fluid is discharged onto the seafloor to
create a mound higher than the surrounding seafloor. Expulsion features commonly
occur near or along faults that provide fluid migration pathways from deep petroleum
paleobasins, and are most common above subsurface accumulations of pressurized
fluid. Mud volcanoes [Section 1, Figure 11(a)] are conical shaped mounds that
have a central crater or flanking feeder pipes that discharge fluid. Pockmarks are
localized, circular to elliptical seafloor depressions interpreted as seafloor expressions
of hydrocarbon-bearing fluid expulsion. The elongated shape of many pockmarks
may be controlled by seafloor currents or be evidence of fluid flow along buried
faults. Pockmarks are typically tens to hundreds of meters in diameter and tens of
meters deep, however, can become in-filled with mobile sediments over time,
creating highly heterogeneous soil conditions along a pipeline route.
Hardgrounds around seafloor gas vents may consist of deepwater benthic
communities. Upwelling fluids containing chemically reduced hydrocarbons may
react with shallow sulfate-rich pore fluids to create carbonate nodules, chimneys,
and mounds at or near the seafloor and are often associated with active or fossil
chemosynthetic communities. These communities may also be associated with gas
hydrate accumulations and/or outcrops of authigenic carbonate. Deepwater benthic
communities typically include tubeworms, clams, mussels, bacterial mats, and/or
other types of burrowing invertebrates. In some regions such as the Gulf of Guinea,
these communities can create stiff surficial crusts due to overconsolidation of
fecal pellets, for example.

It is also important to consider the potential corrosive effects, variable soil conditions
(e.g., hardgrounds or soft gassy soils), and environmental issues (e.g., chemosynthetic
communities that may be protected by law) of active expulsion areas.
• Effect on Pipeline: In addition to the possibility of future fluid expulsion,
seafloor expulsion features such as pockmarks may cause vertically, laterally,
and temporally variable soil strength, which might create difficulties for the
installation of pipelines. Pipeline free-spans may result from the steep sides
associated with fluid expulsion features. Hardgrounds may lead to abrasion
or differential embedment on the pipeline if the pipeline walks or laterally
buckles during the lifetime of development. Surficial crusts can also impact
the pipe-soil resistance used in lateral buckling analysis.
b) Static: Features created by past expulsion of gas, fluid, or sediment onto the seafloor
include mounds, craters, or depressions [Section 1, Figure 11(b)]. These remnant
expulsion features lead to irregular seafloor, steep-sided mounds, and steep-sided
depressions. Areas with fossil chemosynthetic communities may have resultant
hardground with variable geotechnical properties.
• Effect on Pipeline: Remnant expulsion features that have no evidence of
current activity may cause problems such as pipeline free-spans. Hardgrounds
may lead to abrasion or differential embedment on the pipeline if the pipeline
walks or laterally buckles during the lifetime of development.
FIGURE 11
Expulsion Features

viii) Volcanic Activity

a) Dynamic: Petroleum pipelines would typically not be routed in areas of active
volcanism; however it is important to know the regional setting and whether the
possibility of volcanic eruptions exists. The seismic activity associated with volcanic
eruptions may be important, as is the triggering of flank failures that may be caused
by eruptions, growth and instability of the magma chamber in the period preceding
an eruption (e.g., Canary Islands, NW Africa). An active eruption can eject lava
or create subsea pyroclastic flows [Section 1, Figure 12(a)]. Effusive subsea volcanic
eruptions originate from an active volcanic vent and form massive to pillowed
lava flow deposits. Explosive or pyroclastic subsea volcanic eruptions are violent
occurrences that discharge ash, gasses, and tephra. Subsea pyroclastic flows can
move like mass flows and deposit large amounts of material far from the volcanic
vent. Subaerial pyroclastic eruptions are initially deposited on land; however, these
fast moving flows can enter the sea and continue as subsea mass transport deposits.
• Effect on Pipeline: A subsea pyroclastic deposit could bury, compress, and/or
rupture a pipeline due to their speed, density, and abundant debris. An active,
underwater volcanic effusive flow may bury, compress, and/or rupture the
pipeline.
b) Static: A seafloor comprised of volcanic deposits is generally irregular, hard,
and rough with steep topography [Section 1, Figure 12(b)]. The principal static
geohazards associated with volcanic deposits at or just below the seafloor are
moderate to steep-sloped mounds due to blocky surfaces or deep, steep-sided
depressions due to the hummocky nature and heterogeneity of the deposit.
• Effect on Pipeline: Volcanic extrusions and resultant material from past
eruptions can be a routing hazard due to rock strength and the irregular shape
of the seafloor topography. Pipelines may be susceptible to displacement or
pipeline free-spans.
FIGURE 12
Volcanic Activity

ix) Sea Ice

a) Dynamic: Ice pans or icebergs are large floating masses of ice derived from arctic
environments. Near-shore sea ice can build up pressure ridges. In shallow water
environments, both icebergs and sea ice can lead to scouring or ice gouging of
the seafloor [Section 1, Figure 13(a)]. Scouring can also occur when a vertical
hole is present in sea ice and a downward jet-like, buoyancy-driven drainage of
flood water creates a vortex and results in a scoured depression on the seafloor.
These features, known as strudel scours, can be more than 4 m deep and as much
as 20 m wide.
• Effect on Pipeline: Icebergs and sea ice are not considered geohazards to
pipelines in deepwater settings (in water depths in excess of 200 m). However,
icebergs and pressure ridged sea ice in shallow waters may scour around or
rupture an existing pipeline. A buried subsea pipeline may become exposed
and lead to an unsupported span if a sufficiently deep strudel scour develops
directly above the pipeline. A strudel scour located directly above a buried
pipeline can also remove the backfill material that is needed to prevent damage
from ice gouging and upheaval buckling. Areas of intense ice gouging and
strudel scouring should be avoided when selecting a subsea pipeline route.
b) Static: Past evidence of ice effects such as gouges [Section 1, Figure 13(b)], strudel
scours, and deposition of large debris such as boulders (dropstones) can have a
pronounced effect on the shape of the seafloor. Areas that were once shallower
may have been more prone to ice gouging or strudel scours; however are deep
enough at present to not be affected by dynamic ice effects.
• Effect on Pipeline: Pipeline free-spans can occur in bouldery areas or areas
of intense ice gouging and strudel scouring.
FIGURE 13
Sea Ice

5.3 Manmade Hazards

Manmade hazards can include subsea infrastructure (e.g., existing pipelines, manifolds, platform legs), areas
affected by marine industries (e.g., fishing/trawling/shipping activities), military debris (e.g., unexploded
ordnance), drag scars, and industrial debris or waste. Anthropogenic loading of, or impact along, steep
unstable slopes may lead to slope instability and subsequent mass failure events (Section 1, Figure 14).
Geometrically intricate features identified on high-resolution geophysical surveys such as SSS, MBES and
SBP can be interpreted as manmade objects. Magnetic anomalies on the seafloor may also be interpreted as
possible manmade objects. Manmade objects identified from the geophysical data can be validated with
ROV or AUV surveys using video or photography of the seafloor to accurately identify manmade hazards
of significance. Certain areas throughout the world, for example former war zones or areas plagued by
shipwrecks, may require specific avoidance criteria of manmade hazards by subsea infrastructure which
can be taken into consideration during the pipeline route determination.
FIGURE 14
Anthropogenic-Generated Slope Failure
5.5 Effect of Geohazards on Pipelines and General Responses

The most important reason for properly selecting a pipeline route is to minimize, if not eliminate, the risks
associated with hazards identified between pipeline termini. Route selection should reduce the number of
hazards encountered while also considering their possible effects on the pipeline.
Section 1, Table 2 summarizes a number of geohazards and the effects they might have on a pipeline during
or after construction. If geohazards cannot be avoided, additional and more detailed geophysical surveys,
an ROV inspection, and geohazard or geotechnical core samples should all be considered as part of the
route selection, evaluation, and refinement process. Engineering design and, most specifically the analyses
performed in order to assess the effects that the identified geohazards may have on the pipeline, must also
consider the possibility of variable soil geotechnical properties associated with static and dynamic geohazards.

TABLE 2
Potential Pipeline Geohazards and Manmade Hazards and Response to Their Effect
Hazards Effect on Pipeline Response
Geohazards (Dynamic and Static)
Shallow water Susceptible to near-shore oceanic conditions and
Trench or bury pipelines
anthropogenic activities in shallow water
Deepwater High pressures, lack of visibility, difficult environment in
Avoid deepwater routes if possible
deep water
Seafloor curvature Development of pipeline free spans. Avoid or mitigate for curved seafloor
Seafloor roughness Development of pipeline free spans. Avoid or mitigate for rough seafloor
Seafloor slope Development of pipeline free spans, pipeline stretching. Avoid or mitigate for steep slopes
Burial, compression, pipeline displacement, pipeline- Avoid areas of known mass transport
structure connection overstress, stretching, rupture, scour, deposits and mitigate for rough
Mass transport deposits development of pipeline free spans. terrain
Burial, compression, pipeline displacement, pipeline- Avoid sediment transport pathways
structure connection overstress, rupture, scour, or mitigate to cross pathways at an
Sediment transport pathways development of pipeline free spans. optimal angle
Burial, pipeline displacement, pipeline-structure
Avoid or mitigate. Metocean
connection overstress, rupture, scour, development of
monitoring and modeling is required.
Sediment erosion/deposition pipeline free spans.
Burial, compression, pipeline displacement, pipeline-
structure connection overstress, rupture, scour, Avoid or mitigate
Tectonic Effects development of pipeline free spans.
Pipeline displacement, pipeline-structure connection
Avoid or mitigate to cross faults at
overstress, stretching, rupture, development of pipeline
an optimal angle
Faults free spans.
Pipeline displacement, pipeline-structure connection
Avoid or mitigate
Fluid expulsion features overstress, development of pipeline free spans.
Burial, compression, rupture, pipeline displacement,
pipeline-structure connection overstress, development of Avoid areas with active volcanism
Volcanic activity pipeline free spans.
Avoid areas with frequent ice or bury
Scouring, rupture, development of pipeline free spans. pipeline to appropriate depth below
Sea Ice potential gouge
Manmade Hazards
Military debris
Avoid by specific distance criteria
(e.g., unexploded ordnance) Pipeline displacement, rupture
Development of pipeline free spans, pipeline
Avoid by specific distance criteria
Industrial debris displacement, rupture
Marine industries Pipeline displacement, rupture Avoid by specific distance criteria
Subsea infrastructure Development of pipeline free spans, rupture Avoid by specific distance criteria
7 Other Routing Considerations
7.1 Ecological and Environmental Constraints

Ecological constraints can affect route selection by prohibiting or limiting installation across environmentally
sensitive areas. Certain ecological habitats are protected throughout the world and specific areas may require
protection and specific avoidance criteria by subsea infrastructure. These may include but are not limited to
protected waters and near-shore areas, environmentally sensitive areas, fishing areas, benthic communities
in deepwater settings, and coldwater corals.

7.3 Cultural Constraints

Cultural constraints must be considered during route selection because they can directly affect the prosperity
and well-being of the public and communities in the vicinity of the development. Installation and operation
of a pipeline, for example, can affect commercial or subsistence fishing opportunities. Shipwrecks, ordnance
disposal areas, chemical waste disposal areas, tourist attractions or other features of historical or archaeological
significance may also have specific avoidance criteria. Mining or dredging operations, existing infrastructure,
pipelines or cables on the seafloor, and oceanographic monitoring devices are other examples of cultural
constraints that may be affected by development of a new pipeline. Respect of cultural values is important
if agreeable relationship between industry and the general public is to be maintained.
7.5 Pipeline Curvature Constraint

Pipeline curvature constraint is the minimum acceptable horizontal radius of a pipeline, which is, in general, the
minimum radius a pipeline installation vessel can lay the pipeline. The radius can be considered in both
route selection and optimization so that the installation can be carried out along the proposed route option.
7.7 Project-Specific Constraints

The stakeholders may add project-specific constraints related to internal policies, project requirements,
industry standards, or local regulations. Project-specific constraints may include: user defined avoidance
distances of specific features; specific angles at which the route must cross faults, canyons, or steep slope
avoidance of land crossings (e.g., an island along an otherwise optimal route); avoidance of existing third-
party infrastructure (or connection to existing third-party infrastructure); or avoidance of specific geologic,
ecological, or cultural features not already restricted by governing agencies. Project-specific constraints
can be incorporated into the route selection process to satisfy the requests from the Owner.
7.9 Onshore Routing

Many subsea routes tie back to onshore facilities and onshore geohazards, cultural, and environment
constraints must be taken into consideration when selecting a route. This can be done following procedures
similar to those outlined for subsea routing; however, a detailed discussion of onshore route determination
is beyond the scope of these Guidance Notes.

Section 2: Methods for Route Determination
SECTION 2 Methods for Route Determination
1 Route Determination Options

Because the evaluation of different factors constraining route determination is a specialized task that lies
beyond conventional geotechnical and pipeline engineering activities, the project Owner or its engineering
consultant may need additional specialty consultants or in-house experts to assist in the route selection or
optimization process and to guide the selection of the optimal route from a limited set of feasible routes.
Qualitative route selection can be performed based on visual assessment of geohazard, geological, or other
types of supporting maps and by subsequently drawing a line on the map between two termini and avoiding
hazardous areas. This method is solely based on the experience and judgment of experts. This kind of
qualitative route selection is not recommended because it is highly subjective, its results are generally not
easily reproducible, and it is difficult to assess the sensitivity of the selected route to uncertainty in the
information used to guide route determination.
Semi-quantitative route selection can be based on the construction of a composite cost surface, as described
in Subsection 3/1, and then using the cost surface to guide manual selection of a route. Although considerable
subjectivity remains, the composite cost surface approach introduces a logical structure that is much more
amenable to sensitivity analysis than purely qualitative route selection. It is considered to be an acceptable
approach in an early stage, notional evaluation of routes; or for more advanced stages in areas of limited
geological, ecological, and cultural complexity.
The quantitative method of route selection suggested in these Guidance Notes uses the “least-geocost path
techniques” to determine the optimal route across a composite cost surface. Although it cannot completely
remove all subjectivity from the process it relies upon a structured logical framework to create a composite
cost surface (which facilitates revisions as new information becomes available and is also amenable to
sensitivity analysis) with quantitative determination of the lowest cost route for the available input. Least-
geocost path optimization methods have been used to evaluate options for a variety of transportation corridors
including deepwater petroleum pipelines, onshore petroleum pipelines, power lines, sewer lines, and roads.
Advanced applications of this method have incorporated resampling based geostatistical simulation of equally
probable cost surfaces as a means of evaluating sensitivity of the optimal route to input cost surface uncertainty.
1.1 Required Input

The input required for the route determination procedure suggested in these Guidance Notes includes the
locations of two pipeline termini and a composite geocost map as described in the following section. GIS
software (as listed above) with the capability to perform raster analysis and least-geocost path optimization
is also required in order to apply the described procedures.
1.3 Required Software

The methods described in this document are best implemented using GIS (Geographic Information System)
software to store, organize, and analyze the geospatial data supporting the route determination. Several free
open-source (e.g., GRASS, QGIS, and SAGA) and commercial (e.g., ArcGIS, ERDAS Imagine, and
IDRISI GIS) options are currently available. GIS software is highly specialized and, like many other kinds
of specialty software, requires significant training and experience to be properly used to its full potential.
This is particularly true if the input map data uses different map projections, coordinate systems, data
types, file formats, or resolutions. The project owner may find it useful to retain qualified GIS analysts to
support the work.

Section 2 Methods for Route Determination
3 Geocost: Geohazard, Cultural, and Ecological Classification

Geohazards, cultural constraints, and ecological constraints can be classified and weighted after they have
been mapped. Because each project will be different, not all of the hazards described in Subsection 1/5 will
be encountered in all projects nor will they always receive the same weights. Ranking and weighting of
individual geohazards should be performed collaboratively by a project team that includes, as appropriate:
specialists in engineering geology, geotechnical engineering, pipeline engineering, geohazard assessment,
seafloor geomorphology, marine geology, marine ecology, and marine archeology.
Geocosts are typically classified from low to high using a weighting scheme, for example with 1 as low
and 10 as high based upon inferred significance (see Section 2, Table 1). Section 2, Table 1 gives examples
for landslides deposits with variable radiometric ages and recurrence intervals and variable geomorphological
signatures. A landslide deposit that is smooth and geologically old will have a lower geocost compared to a
landslide deposit that is rough and geologically young. The weight assigned to any particular hazard will
likely vary from project to project because the geological details and context will differ.
TABLE 1
Descriptions for Geocosts
Geocost* Hazard Level Geohazard Example – Landslide Deposit Mitigation
Smooth surface, inferred to be geologically very Avoidance unnecessary. Possible
1 Negligible old, radiometric age dates suggest no geologically to mitigate using engineering
recent movement. solutions if necessary.
2 Mitigation using engineering
Smooth surface, inferred to be geologically old, no solutions depends on site specific
3 Low Hazard
radiometric data available. details, avoidance should be
4 considered but not necessary.
5
Rough surface, inferred to be geologically young, Mitigation using engineering
6 Moderate Hazard geological evidence (seafloor fractures) suggests solutions depends on site specific
movement in the past 11,000 years. details, avoidance recommended
7
8 Rough surface, inferred to be geologically very
young, radiometric age dating suggest evidence of
9 Mitigation is not practical –
High Hazard geologically recent movement, geological
avoidance strongly recommended
evidence of recent movement (numerous seafloor
10 fractures).
Geological evidence suggests frequent occurrence Mitigation not applicable -
N/A Impermissible Zone
of landslides, area deemed to be impassable. complete avoidance
* Note: The allocation of geocosts is dependent on the specific site details and the experience and preference of the project team
assessing the geohazards. The geocost values used in this example (1 to 10) are arbitrary. However, all assessed geohazards
must comply with a consistent numerical assignment. The assignment of numerical geocosts to specific geohazards is
based upon the size or potential severity, likelihood of future occurrence, and geological age of the hazards as they may
impact the performance or safety of a pipeline.
Geohazards can be classified by assigning geocosts based on the severity of the impact to the pipeline. For
example, development of pipeline free-spans as a consequence of an irregular seafloor is not as hazardous
as a debris flow or landslide that could impact and rupture the pipeline. Therefore, the irregular seafloor will
have a lower geocost compared to an area with known past occurrences of potentially damaging subsea
landslides. The likelihood of occurrence and magnitudes of events, both important elements of hazard
assessment, should be incorporated into the weighting scheme to the extent possible.

Cultural or ecological considerations should likewise be classified based on their degree of sensitivity. Areas
designated as restricted can be completely omitted from the routing analysis, such that no routes are permitted
through those areas. Areas across which passage is strictly forbidden can be assigned an effectively infinitely
high cost by assigning Null or No Data values in GIS maps, thus completely eliminating them from
consideration.
Section 2, Table 2 shows some typical geocosts used in a deepwater pipeline routing project, sorted by
geohazard type then severity of impact to the pipeline. The listed costs consider a scale from 1 to 10 for all
geohazards. Hence, additional proportional weighting can be used to differentiate between each geohazard.
TABLE 2
Examples of Typical Geocosts for Subsea Geohazards
Geohazards Geocost
Seafloor Slope 0° to 3° 1
Seafloor Slope 15°+ 10
Older Seafloor Scours 3
Older Sediment Wave Area 3
Young Mass Transport Deposit 10
Large Landslide Deposit 10
Seafloor Fault 10
Active Fluid Expulsion Feature 10
Active Seafloor Channel 10
3.1 Composite Geocost Map

A composite geocost map is typically a combination (e.g., sum, product, or average) of several coincident
individual or component geocost maps with geohazards compiled into one map. Various types of combinations
exist and rely on Multi-Criteria Decision Methods (MCDM) or Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA),
Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), or Multiple Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT).
The creation of a digital composite map can be accomplished in a GIS program by adding individual stacked
raster cells (Section 2, Figure 1). Each box of the composite map should represent a corresponding area of the
seafloor. Rasters represent geographic features by dividing them into discrete square or rectangular cells
(pixels) laid out in a grid. The raster cell size is primarily based on the resolution of the data from
geophysical survey. Resolution of the prevailing survey practices are listed in Section 1, Table 1.
Each pixel has a value that is used to represent some characteristic of that location, such as elevation or slope
angle. Geological features depicted as vector features in GIS comprising polygons, lines, and points can be
converted to raster maps and included in the composite. Section 2, Figure 1 demonstrates how raster cells
with the same spatial reference can be combined to create a geocost composite map. The upper left corner
square in Component Map 1 (Geocost 5) is added to the upper left corner square in Component Map 2
(Geocost 1) to total 6. The value 6 is averaged using the number of raster maps used (in this example, 2 maps
are used) to give a Geocost of 3 in the upper left corner of the Geocost Composite Map. The composite
map delineates areas of high cost (low favorability) and low cost (high favorability) across the project area
and serves as a critical piece of input for the route determination.

FIGURE 1
Composite Geocost Map Premise
Section 2, Figure 2 illustrates how multiple weighted individual geocost component maps are added together
to create a composite geocost map. Implicit in the method is the assumption that the distribution of values
across the composite geocost surface is proportional to the combined costs of characterizing, designing,
building, operating, and maintaining the pipeline being routed. The composite geocost map is the fundamental
input for least-geocost path determination of optimal pipeline routes; however, it can be used to evaluate
pipeline routes that have been selected by manual approaches as well.
FIGURE 2
Composite Geocost Map

5 Route Selection
There are three acceptable methods to identify and select potential routes once the relevant geohazards in
the project area have been mapped and classified, and once a geocost composite surface has been generated:
i) Using manual route selection guided by a composite cost surface
ii) Using least-geocost path route optimization based upon one or multiple composite cost surfaces
iii) Using stochastic simulation
5.1 Manual Route Selection

One or more candidate pipeline routes can be developed using the available hazard maps to create a composite
geocost map; then pipeline route options are manually drawn on the composite geocost map from terminus
to terminus. This form of route determination is simplistic. However, if hazard maps are constructed with
care, the constraints are limited, and the route crosses uncomplicated areas of seafloor, it may be sufficient.
5.3 Least-geocost Path Optimization

Least-geocost path routing uses GIS processing to define an optimized route between two points located on
a geocost composite surface. Given a set of individual geocost maps as described above, a least-geocost
pipeline route is calculated using the following steps illustrated conceptually in Section 2, Figure 3:
i) Create a composite geocost map as described above in 2/3.1.
ii) An appropriate point is selected from the pipeline termini as the best anchor point or, in GIS
terminology, source point (e.g., a manifold to which multiple pipeline segments could connect).
iii) Run least-geocost path route optimization in a GIS program (e.g., ArcGIS). The composite
geocost map and source point are used for two intermediate cost distance calculations in ArcGIS:
a) A cost-distance map that shows the least accumulative cost distance for each raster to the
nearest source (e.g., a manifold or pipeline terminus) over the specified cost surface, and
b) A cost-backlink map that defines, for each raster, the neighbor that is the next cell on the
least accumulative cost path to the nearest source (e.g., the travel direction from each cell
to the nearest source point). The cost-distance and cost-backlink maps are used to calculate
the least-cost path from a specified point to the source point. Next, a least-cost path algorithm
is used to determine the most efficient route across the cost surface between two specified
points.
iv) The optimized route polyline can be converted to points on a meter by meter basis and the cell
values of the composite geocost surface can be extracted to the individual points. The total geocost
can be calculated as a function of the distance along the entire route.
v) Post-processing can be applied to the optimized least-geocost route such as adjusting the route to
project specific constraints.

FIGURE 3
Least-Geocost Path Pipeline Routing
5.5 Stochastic Simulation for Sensitivity Analysis

Regardless of the care taken in preparation of the component and composite geocost maps, they will always
carry some uncertainty as a consequence of human judgment, data resolution, and other issues. The number
of individual component maps, the complicated spatial distribution of the features and attributes contributing to
geocost variability, and a currently incomplete understanding of the ways in which uncertainties in the
component geocost maps interact with each other to create uncertainties in the composite geocost maps;
make traditional approaches to sensitivity analysis impossible. One solution is to use resampling based
stochastic simulation of the composite geocost surface.
In resampling based stochastic sensitivity analysis, the original geocost surface is sampled at a large number
of random locations (Section 2, Figure 4). The number of locations selected will depend on the complexity
of the composite geocost surface, and the number of points should be chosen to adequately represent the
first-order variability of the surface. This will always be a subjective decision. However, the adequacy of
the number of points selected can be visually assessed by plotting the random sample points on the composite
geocost surface to ascertain whether a reasonable degree of coverage has been achieved. It is suggested
that values be within the range:
Lc/10 < A / N < Lc/2

where
Lc = characteristic length or dimension of the important seafloor features affecting
pipeline route determination
A = size of the study area being sampled
N = required number of sample points.
Typical values for that range of points as a function of Lc are shown in Section 2, Table 3. The smaller the
features to be simulated and the more fidelity desired, the higher the number of recommended sample points.

FIGURE 4
Stochastic Simulations
TABLE 3
Ranges of Sample Points Recommended for
Stochastic Simulation of Cost Surface Uncertainties
Characteristic Recommended Number of Sample Points per
Length of Seafloor Square Kilometer
Features (m) Minimum Maximum
500 16 400
1000 4 100
1500 0.64 16
5000 0.16 4
The geocosts and locations of the sample points are then used as input for conditional simulation of the
cost surface, which can be accomplished using GIS or other widely available geostatistical simulation
software. After values at the chosen number of random points are sampled, a large number (100 or more)
of equally probable versions of the cost surface are generated using conditional simulation, and a least-
geocost path route is calculated for each version. The result is a cloud of possible routes, the dispersion of
which reflects the sensitivity of the routing process to changes in the input geocost map. The width of the
cloud of routes can then be used to define a corridor for additional data collection and route refinement. In
a typical application, the first attempt at routing might be based upon a 3-D seismic-derived seafloor
surface with 15 m to 20 m cell size, and stochastic simulation might be used to determine a corridor for
subsequent and more detailed AUV data collection using a 2 m or 3 m cell size, allowing the route to be
evaluated in more detail and with more confidence.

7 Route Evaluation
Route evaluation is to verify that the selected route meets all applicable criteria. It is possible that the
output from least-geocost path routing, for example, may not satisfy requirements that the route crosses
faults or slopes at the required angles or passes too close to runout zones for debris flows. In such a case, a
decision is made to either refine the route using existing data or to collect additional, more resolute or
detailed, data. Route evaluation can also include a risk assessment. Route evaluation should be performed
by the same multidisciplinary project team that performed the initial geocost assignments, with additional
input from project managers and risk assessment professionals. If all applicable criteria are satisfied, then
the process can move on to risk assessment without further iteration.

Section 3: Risk Assessment
SECTION 3 Risk Assessment
1 Principles
Risk assessment is an essential element of the route determination and acceptance process. The methods
described in these Guidance Notes are intended to reduce, but cannot completely eliminate, hazards along
pipeline route. As long as hazards exist, there will also be potential consequences that lead to risks for the
project Owner, the public, and the environment. This includes events for which there may not be current
evidence in the project area or which may originate far beyond the project area, or unpredictable human
activities like accidents or terrorism. Moreover, there may be different thresholds for the risks that various
stakeholders are willing to accept on different projects.
Risk has historically been defined as a function of 1) the likelihood of an occurrence (e.g., the hazard) and
2) the losses anticipated upon occurrence (e.g., the consequence). Some practitioners explicitly separate the
vulnerability of the asset at risk from the consequences and consider it a third variable, but the underlying
principle remains unchanged. ISO 31000 proposed a significantly different and more abstract definition of
risk – the effect of uncertainty on the attainment of an objective - with the purpose of including positive as
well as negative aspects of the problem. These Guidance Notes use the more traditional definition of risk.
Although a variety of geohazards as well as ecological and cultural constraints are incorporated into pipeline
route selection as described in these Guidance Notes, ecological and cultural constraints will typically not
be included in risk assessment (although, as described below, the potential for environmental and social
damage as a consequence of geohazards is incorporated). This is because ecological and cultural constraints
such as a shipwreck or protected benthic community do not present the potential for unacceptable consequences
such as pipeline rupture, loss of containment, injury, or loss of life as long as they are recognized and
avoided during the route selection. If known ecological or cultural constraints cannot be avoided by the
route, then they should also be considered as hazards and the attendant risks evaluated.
Section 3, Figure 1 illustrates the steps required to conduct a risk assessment discussed in 3/1.1 and 3/1.3.
As is the case for the classification and weighting of component hazard maps, risk assessment is best performed
collaboratively by a multi-disciplinary team that includes expertise in marine engineering geology, geotechnical
engineering, pipeline engineering, marine ecology, marine archeology, health/safety/environmental (HSE)
compliance, and project management. On large or complicated projects, this may be best accomplished in a
professionally facilitated workshop with experienced professionals to guide the discussion and verify that
all requirements of the risk assessment process are met.

Section 3 Risk Assessment
FIGURE 1
Risk Assessment Flowchart
1.1 Hazard Identification

The first step in the risk assessment is identification of geohazards along the route. Although the cost surface
approach illustrated in these Guidance Notes is intended to minimize the number of geohazards along the
route, it does not guarantee a route completely free of hazards. Hazards may be encountered because there are
so many that they cannot be completely avoided or because the pipeline route would have to be
impractically long in order to completely avoid all possible hazards.
Hazard identification as part of the risk assessment requires the un-weighted component geohazard maps
used to create the composite cost surface. These maps will show the locations and sizes of seafloor and
shallow subsurface geohazards that are identifiable using geophysical data available when the route was
selected. At this stage, the task is to identify specific hazards with the potential to adversely affect the
pipeline, their magnitudes, and their likelihoods of occurrence. This may be best accomplished by creating
a tabular hazard or (if consequences are included) risk register for the pipeline route. For long pipelines or
pipelines passing through areas of complicated seafloor geology, this may be best accomplished by breaking
the route into segments and assessing each segment separately. The location, volume or magnitude, and
expected frequency of each hazard that might affect the safe and successful operation of the pipeline over
its intended useful life should be tabulated in a spreadsheet or database. This process is repeated for each
segment of the route.

One of the unique challenges of geohazard and georisk assessment compared to other kinds of risk assessment
is that geologic information is almost always fragmentary and subject to considerable uncertainty. Thus,
even in the most comprehensive of integrated subsea site investigations it will likely be impossible to precisely
define an annual probability of occurrence of hazards such as subsea landslides, let alone secondary attributes
such as runout distance, velocity, and, ultimately, the impact force if a pipeline is impacted by a landslide.
In many projects, annual likelihoods for entire classes of geohazards may be quantifiable only within one
or two orders of magnitude.
1.3 Risk Matrix

Once hazards have been tabulated for the entire pipeline route, the likelihood and consequences of each
hazard should be evaluated using an ‘industry standard risk matrix’ such as the one illustrated in Section 3,
Table 1. Risk matrices are common in government and industry and, as such, there are many sources of
information about their creation and use.
Using the example risk matrix in Section 3, Table 1 and the steps outlined in Section 3, Figure 1, risk values
can be established by an experienced project team and assigned to each cell in the matrix starting with low
values that increase as the level of risk increases to the unacceptable level. As discussed above, the pipeline is
assessed by segment and risk values summed for each segment. The project team will determine whether
the summed risk values are acceptable based on a maximum acceptable risk value adopted for that project.
Matrices are project specific and can be modified to suit the needs of the project team (See Appendix 2,
“Case Study”).
In cases where an average annual probability of occurrence can be calculated, for example using radiocarbon
dates of debris flow deposits, this can be used to classify the likelihood from Rare to Likely. In cases where it
is not possible to calculate annual probability of occurrence, the likelihood will have to be estimated on the
basis of the collective experience of the project team and the industry in general. For example, if a hazard
has no known history of occurrence anywhere in the offshore oil and gas industry then it might be assigned
a likelihood of Rare with the understanding that this loosely corresponds to an event with an annual
probability on the order of 10-5/yr. If it is expected to occur repeatedly on the project under consideration,
then it would be classified as Likely with the understanding that this corresponds to an annual probability
on the order of 10-1/yr.
After the likelihood of each tabulated hazard along the route has been estimated, its consequences relative
to health and safety, environmental quality, social issues, and financial loss must be estimated. As illustrated
in Section 3, Table 2, different criteria will be used for each aspect and potentially for each project; hence,
Section 3, Table 2 should be used only as a guide and specific thresholds developed for each project using
input from all stakeholders. Acceptable levels of health and safety, environmental, and social risk may be
defined by society with little or no room for modification by the project Owner and Operator. The acceptable
level of economic risk, however, can be defined only by the project Owner and Operator who will bear the
consequences of a failure.
After both the likelihood and the consequences of each hazard remaining along the route after its selection
are estimated, the risk associated with each can be classified as acceptable (green), marginal (yellow), or
unacceptable (red). No further action is required for acceptable risks. Unacceptable risks require a written
plan of action from the risk assessment team, which may include options such as reducing vulnerability
through specific engineering measures or re-routing the pipeline to avoid the hazard altogether. The re-
routing option is generally not preferred at this stage, because an optimal route has already been selected
based upon available information, evaluated, and judged to be generally satisfactory. Re-routing to avoid a
hazard not already accounted for may affect a large length of the pipeline to the point that a complete re-
routing may be required. Because of the difficulty in mitigating most subsea geohazards, especially in deep
or ultra-deep water, removal or neutralization of the hazard is generally not an option and if it is, then it
can be quite costly and time-consuming. Marginal risks require more detailed evaluation at an ‘executive’
level in order to make a holistic decision to either accept or reduce the health and safety, environmental,
social, and/or financial risks.

TABLE 1
Example Risk Matrix
Risk Likelihood
Very
Rare Unlikely Possible Occasionally Likely
Unlikely
Has not Has occurred Has occurred Likely to occur Likely to occur Likely to occur
occurred in in the on a similar in 10% of 1-2 times on repeatedly on
the industry industry project similar projects this project this project
-5 -5 -4 -4 -3 -3 -2 -2 -1 -1
< 10 /yr 10 - 10 /yr 10 - 10 /yr 10 - 10 /yr 10 - 10 /yr > 10 /yr
Catastrophic
Severe
Risk Consequence
Major
Moderate
Minor
Negligible

TABLE 2
Example Risk Levels for Health and Safety, Environmental, Social, and Financial
Consequences
Financial Other
Health and Safety Environmental Social
(millions of US $)
Long term damages Public outrage,
> 10 fatalities or > 100
(> 10 year recovery) sustained international
hospitalizations
Catastrophic or no potential for news coverage, little > 1000
(workers and
recovery to pre- chance of community
community)
incident state. recovery.
Medium term damages
2 – 9 fatalities or 50 – Local public outrage,
(3 – 10 year recovery)
100 hospitalizations national news
Severe or degradation of 100 - 1000
(workers and coverage, 1-10 year
economic or
community) community recovery
conservation value.
1 fatality or multiple Short term damages
Regional to national
disabilities or < 50 (1 – 3 year recovery)
news coverage, public
Major hospitalizations and no degradation of 10 - 100
opposition, < 1 year
(workers and economic or
community recovery.
community) conservation value.
Detectable effects Local to regional news
1 disability or multiple
beyond incident coverage, little to no
cases of short-term
Moderate location but no public opposition, 1-12 1 -10
health effects (workers
environmental damage month community
and community)
(< 1 year recovery). recovery.
Limited local news
Effects detectable only
1 case of short-term coverage, minor
at incident location
Minor health effects or inconvenience to most 0.1 - 1
with cleanup in days to
multiple first-aid cases people, < 1 month
weeks.
community recovery.
No news coverage,
very minor
Single case requiring
Negligible No effects. inconvenience to most < 0.1
first-aid.
people, no community
impact.
1.5 Site or Component Specific Risk Analysis

Although these Guidance Notes discuss risk assessment at the route level, they do not include information
about site- or component-specific risk analysis because these activities should occur only after a route has
been determined and design is underway. Few geohazards, especially in deep water, can be effectively
mitigated. Instead, the available responses are generally limited to avoidance (which is largely accomplished
during route selection) or design of the pipeline to resist the loads associated with the geohazards (such as
debris flow impact). Design, in turn, should not begin in earnest until the hazards to be addressed have
been identified and characterized on a site-specific level after the route has been determined. Detailed risk
assessment, moreover, requires knowledge of vulnerability and consequences to the pipeline in the event a
hazardous event occurs; however, neither vulnerability nor consequences are known until design is well
underway.

Appendix 1: Acronyms and Abbreviations
APPENDIX 1 Acronyms and Abbreviations

ABS American Bureau of Shipping
ADCP Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler
AIVL Advanced Imaging and Visualization Laboratory
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
AUV Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
BS British Standards
CCOM Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping
C-CORE Centre for Cold Ocean Resources Engineering
CPT Cone Penetrometer
DEM Digital Elevation Model
ft Feet
MBES Multibeam Echosounder
MTD Mass Transport Deposit
GEBCO General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans
GIS Geographic Information System
GRASS Geographical Resources Analysis Support System
HR High Resolution
ISO International Organization of Standards
JPC Jumbo Piston Core
kHz Kilohertz
OER Ocean Exploration and Research
m Meter(s)
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NSF National Science Foundation
PCPT Piezocone Penetration Test
ROV Remotely Operated Vehicle
SAGA System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses
SBP Sub-bottom Profile
SSS Side Scan Sonar
UHR Ultra-High Resolution
VLS Vertical Limit of Separability
WHOI Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
yr Year
14
C Carbon-14

Appendix 2: Case Study
APPENDIX 2 Case Study

This case study uses a combination of real and hypothetical data to illustrate the selection of a subsea pipeline
route using methods outlined in these Guidance Notes. Using the pipeline route determination flowchart
(Appendix 2, Figure 1) as a guide, the following steps will be used to determine a subsea pipeline route:
Step 1 – Collect, and evaluate available geological, geophysical, geotechnical, and metocean data.
Step 2 – Collect, evaluate, classify, and weight geohazard, cultural, environmental, and geotechnical
constraints.
Step 3 – Create a geocost composite map and perform manual routing, least-geocost routing, or stochastic
simulations and select the route.
Step 4 – Perform an evaluation of the routing results.
Step 5 – Perform a risk assessment on the least-geocost route.
Step 6 – Route Acceptance.
FIGURE 1
Pipeline Route Determination Flowchart

Appendix 2 Case Study
The case study area is located 100 km offshore in a geologically complicated area with water depths ranging
from about 1000 m to 1600 m. The goal is to select a subsea pipeline route between two manifolds
representing the pipeline termini (Appendix 2, Figure 2).
The procedures discussed below will use ArcGIS to support geohazard identification, mapping, and pipeline
route determination. Previous experience with ArcGIS or other GIS software is strongly recommended.
FIGURE 2
Study Area and Manifold Termini
Step 1 Collect and evaluate available geological, geophysical, geotechnical, and metocean
data
In most cases, collection, evaluation, and interpretation of geological, geophysical, and metocean data requires
the use of data from specialty contractors and consultants. Data available (Appendix 2, Figure 3) for this
case study include:
• 3-D seismic volume (with extracted bathymetric surface for import into ArcGIS)
• 6 geological cores
• Metocean measurements

FIGURE 3
Available Data
The 3-D seismic data have a bin spacing of 20 m and a vertical limit of separability of about 10 m. The
size of geocost unit cell is therefore taken as 20 m. The seafloor surface extracted from the 3-D seismic
data was exported from a 3-D modeling program and imported into ArcGIS for creation of seafloor maps.
Faults with seafloor expressions, a channel system, landslide deposits, buried mass transport deposits with
near-surface boulders, and fluid expulsion features such as pockmarks were identified in the seafloor
rendering and verified with the 3-D seismic data.
In this example, geohazard core logging and radiocarbon age dates were obtained from 6 geological cores
collected throughout the study area. Four age dates were taken from landslide deposits and two age dates
were taken along faults. The radiometric age dates indicate two landslides have occurred within the last
10,000 years (before present) and are considered geologically young. However, the rate of recurrence of
these geologically young landslides is considered infrequent (e.g., there has not been more than one
landslide in the last 1.6 million years before present). Two landslide deposits are geologically older and
also have a low rate of recurrence. One fault has experienced recent movement within the last 10,000 years
before present and is considered geologically young and potentially active. Another fault that was age-
dated has not had any movement in recent geological time and is considered geologically old and inactive.
Geologically young and active landslides and faults are considered dynamic geohazards.
Metocean data was collected in the northern part of the study area to assess ocean current conditions. The
data collected indicate that bottom currents are not actively scouring the seafloor and therefore, seabed
scour is not considered a hazard to the installation or development of a subsea pipeline in the northern part
of the study area.
High resolution geophysical data such as MBES, SBP, or SSS and geotechnical data are not available for
this example project.
Data provided for this case study are sufficient for the determination of a preliminary pipeline corridor and
route. Additional high-resolution geophysical surveys, ROV video, geotechnical in-situ testing and
sampling, and geohazard cores are essential to adequately assess seafloor conditions and determine a final
pipeline route.
Step 2 Collect, evaluate, classify, and weight geohazard, cultural, environmental, and
geotechnical constraints
Seafloor conditions and geohazards can be quickly assessed using maps that show geometric geohazards.
For example, the bathymetric (water depth) map is used to calculate seafloor slope angles and seafloor
roughness using procedures in ArcGIS. The slope map indicates steep angles occur along the failure
surfaces of landslide deposits, channel margins, and steep-sided boulders and pockmarks (Appendix 2,
Figure 4). A roughness map indicates that rough areas of the seafloor occur in the northern boulder field
and along steep failure planes along the channel system (Appendix 2, Figure 4).

Using the bathymetric surface and 3-D seismic data, geologic geohazards are also identified. A prominent
seafloor channel system with steep walls defines the central and southern parts of the study area (Appendix 2,
Figure 5). Landslide scarps and resulting landslide deposits along the steep walls of the channel system
suggest that the slopes are unstable. Faults with seafloor expression, related to periods of regional geological
deformation, are evident in the central and southern parts of the study area. The northern part of the study
area has an overall rough topography and consists of many boulders and pockmarks (Appendix 2, Figure 5).
Manmade hazards within the study area consist of three manifolds and an existing pipeline (Appendix 2,
Figure 5). For the purposes of this example project, we assume that both the manifolds and the pipeline
each require a 1 km buffer and are restricted zones; therefore, the route cannot pass through those areas.
FIGURE 4
Geometric Hazards
The example data also include outlines of 4 environmentally sensitive areas to be considered during route
selection. The sensitivity of each area is ranked as low, moderate, high, and very high; the very high area is
considered a restricted area for the route assessment (Appendix 2, Figure 5). It is recommended (but not
required) to avoid the non-restricted environmentally sensitive areas. However, if necessary, the pipeline
may be routed through, or near, these areas to avoid a hazard.

FIGURE 5
Geohazards, Manmade Hazards, and Environmental Constraints
Using a scale of 10 = high to 1 = low, geocosts are allocated (Appendix 2, Table 1; Appendix 2, Figure 6)
to identified geohazards by a team of experienced geoscientists and geotechnical engineers, who assess the
severity of each hazard and rank them relative to one another in the project’s study area.
To emphasize the effect that slopes would have on pipeline route selection, low slope angles (0° to 5°) are
classified with a geocost of 1, moderate slope angles (5° to 10°) are classified with a geocost of 5 and higher
slope angles (> 10°) are classified with a geocost of 10.
Roughness values within the range of 0 to ±0.6 m are smoother parts of the seabed and are assigned a geocost
of 1 (Appendix 2, Table 1; Appendix 2, Figure 6). Roughness values greater than ±0.6 m are considered rougher
parts of the seabed and are classified with a geocost of 10.
Faults that were determined to be geologically active based on radiometric age dates were assigned a geocost
of 10 and faults that were determined to be geologically inactive were assigned a value of 2.
Geologically older deposits are not considered dynamic geohazards during the life of the project and they
are assigned lower geocost values between 2 and 6. The range in values represents the complexity of the
landslide deposit and the availability to properly assess the landslide deposit. For example, a landslide that
has been determined to be geologically old may be assigned a geocost of 2 and a landslide deposit that has
similar characteristics to the old landslide but does not have a confirmed radiometric age date may be assigned a
geocost of 6. Geologically younger deposits, which may indicate the potential for future landslides, are
considered potentially dynamic and assigned higher geocosts (Appendix 2, Table 1).
The 3-D seismic data indicate the channel system may be considered inactive. However, there is not enough
data collected within the channel system to determine the activity of the channel, therefore, the channel
system is assigned a value of 8.
The steepness of the boulders and potential for pipeline spanning results in an allocated geocost value of 10.

Pockmarks were created by past expulsion of gas, fluid, or sediment onto the seafloor. These remnant expulsion
features lead to irregular seafloor and steep-sided depressions. Remnant pockmarks that have no evidence
of current expulsion may cause problems such as pipeline free-spans and results in an allocated geocost
value of 10.
TABLE 1
Geocosts for Geohazards, Manmade Hazards, and Environmental Constraints
Geometric Hazards Geocost Geologic Hazards Geocost
Seabed Slope Angle Static Hazards
0° to 5° 1 Inactive Fault 2
5° to 10° 5 Landslides (geologically old) 2 to 6
> 10° 10 Boulders (individual) 10
Seabed Roughness Pockmarks (individual) 10
±0 to ±0.6 m 1 Dynamic Hazards
±0.6 to 16+ m 10 Channel System 8
Active Fault 10
Sensitive Areas Geocost Landslides (geologically young) 10
Very High Sensitivity Restricted
High Sensitivity 9 Manmade Features Geocost
Moderate Sensitivity 5 Manifolds Restricted
Low Sensitivity 2 Pipeline Restricted
FIGURE 6
Allocation of Geocosts to Seafloor Slope, Roughness, and Geologic Hazards

Step 3 Create a geocost composite map and perform manual routing, least-geocost routing,
or stochastic simulations and select the route.
In this example, all geological features are depicted as vector features in GIS and comprise polygons, lines,
and points. Vector geohazard polygons/lines/points and environmentally sensitive areas were converted from
a vector file to a raster file to create geocost component maps. The slope angle map and roughness maps
were already raster files.
For this example, a total of 9 geocost component maps were added together and averaged:
• Seafloor Slope
• Seafloor Roughness
• Landslides
• Faults
• Pockmarks
• Boulders
• Channel System
• Environmentally Sensitive Areas
• Manmade Hazards
The averaged geocosts produce a value range of 1 = lowest to 6 = highest. The restricted zones (existing
infrastructure and very high environmentally sensitive area) were omitted from the data and shown as
gray-scale areas in the resulting geocost composite map (Appendix 2, Figure 7).

FIGURE 7
Geocost Composite Map
For this example, manual routing is shown in Appendix 2, Figure 8. This route is the shortest distance
(straight line) between the start and end termini and would be ideal if no geohazards were present along the
route. However, as seen in Appendix 2, Figure 8 the straight line route crosses several high geocost areas.
The geocost composite map was used for least-geocost path routing as described in 2/5.3 of these Guidance
Notes. As seen in Appendix 2, Figure 8, the optimized route travels through low geocost areas.

FIGURE 8
Manual Route and Least-Geocost Route
Step 4 Perform an evaluation of the routing results

Geocosts along the manual and least-geocost routes were extracted from the composite geocost map at 1 m
intervals, integrated over the length of the route, and compared in Appendix 2, Table 2. The least-geocost
path is 2.9 km (7%) longer than the manual, straight line route. Although the length of the manual route is
shorter than the least-geocost route, the geocost values for the manual route are 13% higher. Because the
manual route passes through areas identified as high geocost geohazards, the least-geocost route is a more
favorable pipeline route option. A risk assessment on the least-geocost route is addressed in the following
sections.

TABLE 2
Geocost Comparison
Least-Geocost Path Straight Route
Length (km) 44.2 41.3
Geocost 44,644 51,377
Manual Route Length Difference from

–7%
Least Cost Route
Manual Route Geocost Difference from
13%
Least Cost Route
Step 5 Risk Assessment

For this example, the significant hazards that could affect the pipeline are evaluated with several risk
assessment levels (Appendix 2, Table 3) within the risk assessment matrix shown in Appendix 2, Table 4.
A green risk level is considered acceptable without any further action required, yellow and orange risk levels
are marginal and require management review, and red levels are considered unacceptable. Values established by
an experienced project team are assigned to each cell in the matrix for example: starting at 1 and increasing
to 2000 as the level of risk increases to the unacceptable level. The risk assessment matrix (Appendix 2,
Table 4) used in this example assesses the potential for damage to the pipeline from the hazards considered,
and the environmental impact with respect to the amount of oil that could be spilled. This is only one
example of a type of risk matrix that can be applied to assess a pipeline route. Matrices are project specific
and can be modified to suit the needs of the project team.
TABLE 3
Risk Assessment Levels
Risk Level Risk Management Action
Very High Unacceptable (mitigation of risk required)
High Marginal (detailed evaluation and management permission required)
Moderate Marginal (management review required)
Low Acceptable (no further action required)
To perform the risk assessment the route was divided into 5 (10 km × 10 km) equal size areas to assess the
geohazard impact to pipeline infrastructure (Appendix 2, Figure 9). The number and size of the areas can
also be project specific and decided upon by the project team. In this example, the total risk value for each
area should be no greater than 500 to be considered an acceptable or marginally acceptable route. This
limit may vary from project to project, can be based on corporate policies or industry examples, and
decided upon by the project team or Owner prior to the risk assessment. Using Appendix 2, Table 4,
geohazards in each of the five areas were assessed and assigned a value based on the potential impact the
geohazard would have on a pipeline. For example, the impact of a large (> 100 km2) landslide in Area 1 would
be catastrophic. However, the likelihood of this happening is very unlikely during the life of the project
because no landslides occur in this area and the geomorphology is not considered landslide-prone. Therefore,
landslides would be assigned a value of 100. This process continued for each geohazard in each of the five
areas along the proposed route (Appendix 2, Table 5).

TABLE 4
Risk Assessment Matrix
Risk Likelihood
Very
Rare Unlikely Possible Occasionally Likely
Unlikely
Has Likely to Likely to Likely to
Has not Has
occurred on occur in 10% occur 1-2 occur
occurred in occurred in
a similar of similar times on this repeatedly on
the industry the industry
project projects project this project
Infrastructure Damage
10-5 - 10-4 10-4 - 10-3/ 10-3 - 10-2 10-2 - 10-1
and Environmental Qualification < 10-5/yr > 10-1/yr
Impact / yr yr /yr /yr
Catastrophic pipeline
rupture and oil spill Catastrophic 50 100 250 500 1000 2000
(500,000 US gallons)
Severe pipeline rupture
and oil spill (250,000 US Severe 25 50 100 250 500 1000
gallons)
Risk Consequence
Major pipeline damage

and oil spill (100,000 US Major 10 25 50 100 250 500
gallons)
Moderate pipeline
damage and oil spill Moderate 5 10 25 50 100 250
(50,000 gallons)
Minor pipeline damage
and oil leakage (1,000 Minor 2 5 10 25 50 100
gallons)
Minor pipeline damage –
no leakage
Negligible 1 2 5 10 25 50
For each area, the consequence of a landslide is considered catastrophic. However, the likelihood of a landslide
varies depending on the geological terrain and whether landslides are already present. Landslides are considered
very unlikely to possible. The consequence of an active channel is considered moderate to major and the
likelihood is very unlikely in some areas where the channel is not present to possible where the channel is
present but there is not enough data to determine whether it is active or not. The consequence of a pipeline
laid across a boulder is considered minor. The likelihood varies depending on the presence of boulders in
the area. The consequence of a pockmark is considered minor and the likelihood of encountering a pockmark
varies from unlikely to possible.
Area 3 is considered the highest risk area because a geologically young landslide is present within the 10 km
by 10 km area around the proposed pipeline route. Another landslide occurring in this area could strike and
rupture the pipeline. Because the landslide in this area is considered a high cost geohazard, the landslide is
assigned a risk value of 500 based on available data for this feature and in this area. Area 4 also contains a
geologically young landslide. However, if another landslide occurred in this area, it is interpreted to be parallel
to the pipeline and may not impact the pipeline like a landslide in Area 3 and is therefore assessed as a marginal
risk.
Step 6 Route Selection

When all the data are summed for each area (Appendix 2, Table 5), it is determined that Areas 1, 2, 4, and
5 of the optimized, least-geocost route are considered acceptable, based on route evaluation and the risk
assessment. Upon additional collection of high resolution geophysical data including MBES, SSS, or SBP,
additional geotechnical cores and tests, and additional geological cores with geohazard core logging and
radiometric age dates; design aspects, materials, and installation can be considered. These data may supply
enough information to determine whether the area along the proposed pipeline route is deemed marginal or
acceptable for final pipeline route selection. Area 3 has a total risk value that falls within the unacceptable
range. Therefore, further mitigation is required for this portion of the pipeline route, including but not limited
to additional data as mentioned above, a risk assessment with involvement from management, or design of
the pipeline to withstand a landslide impact.

FIGURE 9
Risk Assessment Areas along Least-Geocost Route
TABLE 5
Geohazard Risk Values for Areas 1 through 5
Geohazards
Area Landslides Channels Boulders Pockmarks Faults Total
1 100 25 5 10 25 165
Risk Value
2 250 25 25 10 25 335
3 500 25 5 25 10 565
4 250 25 5 25 10 315
5 100 25 25 25 10 185

Step 7 Recommendations
Four out of the five risk assessment areas are considered acceptable based on the maximum of 500 risk value
per area. The presence of a younger and potentially active landslide in Area 3 deems the route through this
area marginally unacceptable based upon the available data. Further investigations – including site-specific
geotechnical and stratigraphic investigations of the landslide complex – may help to further refine the
hazard and reduce risk through improved understanding of the hazard. If the results of such studies do not
reduce risk to an acceptable level, either another route must be considered or the pipeline must be engineered
and constructed to resist landslide movement. However, discussion of such engineering design options is
beyond the scope of route determination. Because the route under consideration was selected based on existing
knowledge of geohazards, it is unlikely that a markedly better route can be determined and mitigation by
engineering the pipeline to resist the hazard is the most viable solution. If additional information becomes
available and the route becomes unacceptable on the basis of that new information, the route determination
procedure can be revised.

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Guidance Notes on Subsea Pipeline Route Determination

SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION

American Bureau of Shipping

 2016. American Bureau of Shipping. All rights reserved.

ii ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION

TABLE 1 Geophysical Survey Types ....................................................... 5

FIGURE 1 Pipeline Route Determination Flowchart .................................. 2

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 iii

SECTION 2 Methods for Route Determination ....................................................... 24

TABLE 1 Descriptions for Geocosts .......................................................25

FIGURE 1 Composite Geocost Map Premise ..........................................27

SECTION 3 Risk Assessment .................................................................................. 32

TABLE 1 Example Risk Matrix ...............................................................35

FIGURE 1 Risk Assessment Flowchart ....................................................33

APPENDIX 1 Acronyms and Abbreviations .............................................................. 37

iv ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

TABLE 1 Geocosts for Geohazards, Manmade Hazards, and

FIGURE 1 Pipeline Route Determination Flowchart ................................ 38

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 v

SECTION 1 Criteria for Pipeline Route Determination

1.1 Purpose and Scope

1.3 Pipeline Route Selection Criteria and Determination Flowchart

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 1

1.5 Required Documentation

2 ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

1.7 Pipeline System Design Guides and Standards

3 Data Acquisition and Site Characterization

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 3

3.1 Regional Geophysical Surveys

4 ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

3.1.1 3-D Seismic Reflection

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 5

3.1.2 High-resolution or Ultra-high-resolution 2-D Seismic Reflection

6 ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

3.1.5 Side Scan Sonar

3.3 Metocean Data

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 7

3.5 Coring and In Situ Testing

8 ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

3.7 Other Kinds of Surveys

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 9

10 ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 11

5.1.3 Geologic Geohazards

12 ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

b) Static: The irregular topography and variable geotechnical properties of a mass

iii) Sediment Transport Pathways

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 13

iv) Sediment Erosion and Deposition

14 ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 15

16 ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

vii) Fluid Expulsion Features

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 17

18 ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016

viii) Volcanic Activity

ABS GUIDANCE NOTES ON SUBSEA PIPELINE ROUTE DETERMINATION . 2016 19

ix) Sea Ice