Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of the submarine debris-flow hazard risks to planned subsea pipeline systems: a case study in the Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea

  • Articles
  • Ocean Engineering
  • Published:
Acta Oceanologica Sinica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The ever-increasing deepwater oil and gas development in the Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea has initiated the need to evaluate submarine debris-flow hazard risks to seafloor infrastructures. This paper presents a case study on evaluating the debris-flow hazard risks to the planned pipeline systems in this region. We used a numerical model to perform simulations to support this quantitative evaluation. First, one relict failure interpreted across the development site was simulated. The back-analysis modeling was used to validate the applicability of the rheological parameters. Then, this model was applied to forecast the runout behaviors of future debris flows originating from the unstable upslope regions considered to be the most critical to the pipeline systems surrounding the Manifolds A and B. The model results showed that the potential debris-flow hazard risks rely on the location of structures and the selection of rheological parameters. For the Manifold B and connected pipeline systems, because of their remote distances away from unstable canyon flanks, the potential debris flows impose few risks. However, the pipeline systems around the Manifold A are exposed to significant hazard risks from future debris flows with selected rheological parameters. These results are beneficial for the design of a more resilient pipeline route in consideration of future debris-flow hazard risks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bruschi R, Bughi S, Spinazze M, et al. 2006. Impact of debris flows and turbidity currents on seafloor structures. Norwegian Journal of Geology, 86(3): 317–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaytor J D, Baldwin W E, Bentley S J, et al. 2020. Short- and long-term movement of mudflows of the Mississippi River Delta Front and their known and potential impacts on oil and gas infrastructure. In: Georgiopoulou A, Amy L A, Benetti S, et al., eds. Subaqueous Mass Movements and their Consequences. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 500(1): 587–604

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng Cong, Jiang Tao, Kuang Zenggui, et al. 2021. Seismic characteristics and distributions of Quaternary mass transport deposits in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 129: 105118, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpet-geo.2021.105118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Das H S. 2012. Mass gravity flow analyses (Gorgon expansion project). Report to Fugro Corporation. Houston: Fugro Geoconsulting

    Google Scholar 

  • De Blasio F V, Elverhøi A, Issler D, et al. 2005. On the dynamics of subaqueous clay rich gravity mass flows-the giant Storegga slide, Norway. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 22(1–2): 179–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Blasio F V, Engvik L, Harbitz C B, et al. 2004. Hydroplaning and submarine debris flows. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 109(C1): C01002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drago M. 2002. A coupled debris flow-turbidity current model. Ocean Engineering, 29(14): 1769–1780, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0029-8018(02)00008-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du Jianting, Choi C E, Yu Jiantao, et al. 2022. Mechanisms of submarine debris flow growth. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 127(3): e2021JF006470

    Google Scholar 

  • Elverhøi A, Breien H, De Blasio F V, et al. 2010. Submarine landslides and the importance of the initial sediment composition for runout length and final deposit. Ocean Dynamics, 60(4): 1027–1046, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-010-0317-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elverhøi A, Issler D, De Blasio F V, et al. 2005. Emerging insights into the dynamics of submarine debris flows. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 5(5): 633–648, doi: https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-5-633-2005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gauer P, Kvalstad T J, Forsberg C F, et al. 2005. The last phase of the Storegga Slide: Simulation of retrogressive slide dynamics and comparison with slide-scar morphology. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 22(1–2): 171–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo Xingsen, Liu Xiaolei, Zhang Hong, et al. 2022a. Evaluation of instantaneous impact forces on fixed pipelines from submarine slumps. Landslides, 19: 2889–2903

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo Xingsen, Stoesser T, Nian Tingkai, et al. 2022b. Effect of pipeline surface roughness on peak impact forces caused by hydrodynamic submarine mudflow. Ocean Engineering, 243: 110184, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.110184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haza Z F, Harahap I S H, Dakssa L M. 2013. Experimental studies of the flow-front and drag forces exerted by subaqueous mudflow on inclined base. Natural Hazards, 68(2): 587–611, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-013-0643-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herschel W H, Bulkley R. 1926. Measuring the consistency of rubber benzene solution. Colloid Journal (in German), 39(4): 291–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilstad T, Elverhøi A, Issler D, et al. 2004a. Subaqueous debris flow behaviour and its dependence on the sand/clay ratio: A laboratory study using particle tracking. Marine Geology, 213(1–4): 415–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ilstad T, Marr J G, Elverhøi A, et al. 2004b. Laboratory studies of subaqueous debris flows by measurements of pore-fluid pressure and total stress. Marine Geology, 213(1–4): 403–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imran J, Parker G, Locat J, et al. 2001. 1D numerical model of muddy subaqueous and subaerial debris flows. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 127(11): 959–968, doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2001)127:11(959)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingarfield S, Sfouni-Grigoriadou M, de Brier C, et al. 2016. The importance of soil characterization in modelling sediment density flows and implications in assessing infrastructure interaction. In: Proceedings of Offshore Technology Conference. New York: Curran Associates Incorporation, 3973–3989

    Google Scholar 

  • Jia Yonggang, Zhu Chaoqi, Liu Liping, et al. 2016. Marine geohazards: review and future perspective. Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 90(4): 1455–1470, doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-6724.12779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin Xiaojian, Chen Rongqi, Zhu Xiaohuan. 2018. Major challenges and technical innovations of oil & gas gathering and transporting for the deep water continental slope in the South China Sea: key technologies for subsea and overwater gathering and transporting project of the LW 3–1 deep water gas field and its surroundings. China Offshore Oil and Gas (in Chinese), 30(3): 157–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim J, Løvholt F, Issler D, et al. 2019. Landslide material control on tsunami genesis—The Storegga Slide and tsunami (8, 100 years BP). Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 124(6): 3607–3627, doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JC014893

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Wei, Alves T M, Wu Shiguo, et al. 2015. Recurrent slope failure and submarine channel incision as key factors controlling reservoir potential in the South China Sea (Qiongdongnan Basin, South Hainan Island). Marine and Petroleum Geology, 64: 17–30, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.02.043

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Jiagang, Xiu Zongxiang, Shen Hong, et al. 2012. A review of the studies on submarine mass movement. Coastal Engineering (in Chinese), 31(4): 67–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Liska R, Wendroff B. 1997. Analysis and computation with stratified fluid models. Journal of Computational Physics, 137(1): 212–244, doi: https://doi.org/10.1006/jcph.1997.5806

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Jie, Gao Wei, Li Ping, et al. 2018. Research progress in submarine landslide and its enlightenment to study the seabed stability in the South China Sea. Journal of Engineering Geology (in Chinese), 26(S1): 120–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Chaoquan, Jiang Xuefeng, Wu Mouyuan. 2022. Domestic and International Oil and Gas Industry Development Report (2021) (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 1–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Malgesini G, Terrile E, Zuccarino L, et al. 2018. Evaluation of debris flow impact on submarine pipelines: a methodology. In: Proceedings of Offshore Technology Conference. New York: Curran Associates Incorporation, 3117–3131

    Google Scholar 

  • Marr J G, Harff P A, Shanmugam G, et al. 2001. Experiments on subaqueous sandy gravity flows: The role of clay and water content in flow dynamics and depositional structures. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 113(11): 1377–1386, doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2001)113<1377:EOSSGF>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohrig D, Elverhøi A, Parker G. 1999. Experiments on the relative mobility of muddy subaqueous and subaerial debris flows, and their capacity to remobilize antecedent deposits. Marine Geology, 154(1–4): 117–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohrig D, Whipple K X, Hondzo M, et al. 1998. Hydroplaning of subaqueous debris flows. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 110(3): 387–394, doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1998)110<0387:HOSDF>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nian Tingkai, Guo Xingsen, Fan Ning, et al. 2018. Impact forces of submarine landslides on suspended pipelines considering the low-temperature environment. Applied Ocean Research, 81: 116–125, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2018.09.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niedoroda A W, Reed C, Das H, et al. 2006. Controls of the behavior of marine debris flows. Norwegian Journal of Geology, 86(3): 265–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Niedoroda A W, Reed C W, Hatchett L, et al. 2003. Developing engineering design criteria for mass gravity flows in deep ocean and continental slope environments. In: Locat J, Mienert J, Boisvert L, eds. Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences. Dordrecht: Springer, 85–94

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Nugraha H D, Jackson C A L, Johnson H D, et al. 2022. Extreme erosion by submarine slides. Geology, 50(10): 1130–1134, doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G50164.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qian Xuesheng, Xu Jingping, Das H S, et al. 2020. Improved modeling of subaerial and subaqueous muddy debris flows. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 146(7): 06020007, doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001771

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spinewine B, Guinot V, Soares-Frazão S, et al. 2011. Solution properties and approximate Riemann solvers for two-layer shallow flow models. Computers & Fluids, 44(1): 202–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su Ming, Xie Xinong, Wang Zhenfen, et al. 2016. Sedimentary evolution of the Central Canyon System in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Petroleum Research, 1(1): 81–92, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2096-2495(17)30033-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toniolo H, Harff P, Marr J, et al. 2004. Experiments on reworking by successive unconfined subaqueous and subaerial muddy debris flows. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 130(1): 38–48, doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2004)130:1(38)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Chunsheng, Chen Guolong, Shi Yun, et al. 2020. Engineering plans study on the development of Liuhua deep water oilfields in the South China Sea. China Offshore Oil and Gas (in Chinese), 32(3): 143–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Zhongtao, Li Xinzhong, Liu Peng, et al. 2016. Numerical analysis of submarine landslides using a smoothed particle hydrodynamics depth integral model. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 35(5): 134–140, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-016-0864-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Junqin, Zhang Guangxu, Chen Duanxin, et al. 2019. Geological hazards in Lingshui region of Qiongdongnan Basin: type, distribution and origin. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology (in Chinese), 39(4): 87–95

    Google Scholar 

  • White D J, Randolph M F, Gaudin C, et al. 2016. The impact of submarine slides on pipelines: outcomes from the COFS-MERIWA JIP. In: Proceedings of Offshore Technology Conference. New York: Curran Associates Incorporation, 1820–1850

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Shiguo, Yuan Shengqiang, Zhang Gongcheng, et al. 2009. Seismic characteristics of a reef carbonate reservoir and implications for hydrocarbon exploration in deepwater of the Qiong-dongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 26(6): 817–823, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2008.04.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie Xinong, Müller R D, Ren Jianye, et al. 2008. Stratigraphic architecture and evolution of the continental slope system in offshore Hainan, northern South China Sea. Marine Geology, 247(3–4): 129–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiu Zongxiang, Liu Lejun, Xie Qiuhong, et al. 2015. Runout prediction and dynamic characteristic analysis of a potential submarine landslide in Liwan 3-1 gas field. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 34(7): 116–122, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-015-0697-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiu Zongxiang, Xu Qiang, Shan Zhigang, et al. 2021. Improved group decision-making evaluation method of offshore pipeline routing optimisation in submarine landslide-prone area. Natural Hazards, 108(2): 2225–2248, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-021-04777-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zakeri A, Høeg K, Nadim F. 2008. Submarine debris flow impact on pipelines—Part I: Experimental investigation. Coastal Engineering, 55(12): 1209–1218, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2008.06.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Haishan, Li Da, Wei Che, et al. 2018. Research on LS17–2 deep water gas field development engineering scenario in South China Sea. China Offshore Oil and Gas (in Chinese), 30(4): 170–177

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) for data support.

Author information

Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China

    Mingquan Huang

  2. Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China

    Mingquan Huang, Xuesheng Qian & Jingping Xu

  3. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China

    Xuesheng Qian & Jingping Xu

  4. China Offshore Fugro Geosolutions (Shenzhen) Corporation Limited, Shenzhen, 518067, China

    Mingquan Huang & Xuecheng Li

Authors
  1. Mingquan Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xuesheng Qian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jingping Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xuecheng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xuesheng Qian.

Additional information

Foundation item: The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 42106198 and 41720104001; the Key Special Project for Introduced Talents Team of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou) under contract No. GML2019ZD0210.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Huang, M., Qian, X., Xu, J. et al. Evaluation of the submarine debris-flow hazard risks to planned subsea pipeline systems: a case study in the Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Acta Oceanol. Sin. 42, 139–153 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-022-2123-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-022-2123-0

Key words

Search

Navigation