Damage to flexible riser
- Safety Flash
- Published on 22 July 2022
- Generated on 21 December 2025
- IMCA SF 18/22
- 2 minute read
During deployment of a water injection riser from a vessel, damage to the outer coating occurred when it came into contact with the sharp edge of the flare in the moonpool area.
What happened?
A water injection riser was being installed through a project-supplied flare in the moonpool via the vessel’s Tiltable Lay System (TLS) at an angle of 6.8°. The flare had been designed to direct and protect the riser at the exit. However, design reviews, subsequent risk assessments and inspections had failed to identify the hazard of the sharp upper lip of the flare with the potential to damage the riser.
Showing damage to the riser
Showing the flexible running through the flare in the moonpool area
What went wrong?
- During design the sharp edge of the flare had not been identified as a hazard and therefore, was not chamfered for protection of the product.
- The project risk assessment did not identify proper controls to prevent and mitigate possible damage to the product or its coating due to seabed topography, tilted TLS etc.
- Lessons had not been learned – previous learnings from similar flexible product damage events had not been transferred to the project team prior to design.
Recommendations
- Learn the lessons! Learnings from previous or similar flexible product damage events to be reviewed and considered during the full life cycle from design to installation.
- During design reviews and risk assessments specific to flexible products, ensure sharp edges and potential hazards that can cause damage are considered and mitigated.
- Project supplied equipment to be integrated into lay systems should be reviewed by vessel team before fabrication and then again at installation.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 11/18
4 June 2018
-
-
IMCA SF 08/16
13 April 2016
-
IMCA SF 18/14
25 November 2014
-
IMCA SF 07/14
13 May 2014
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.