Validating sub-sea gas pipeline leaks discharge model for Arabian sea conditions

Abstract

The field of consequence modelling for hydrocarbon releases in open atmospheric conditions is highly developed, and there are several commercially available computer programs to model the discharge, dispersion and fire/explosion effects of gases and liquids. Some of these techniques are relatively simple, and are suitable for manual analysis, and have commonly been implemented in customized spread sheets. More complex models are available in stand-alone format and also as part of linked software or toolkits. The study of sub-sea gas pipeline leaks plume behavior is very vital from the risk assessment point of view. In the recent years some research works were done in UK and Norway to study the sub-sea gas leaks plume behaviour for North Sea and Norwegian Sea conditions (< 500 m depth). However as of now no such research work is carried out anywhere for Arabian Sea Conditions for higher depths ranging 500 m to 1500 m. This paper analyses various sub-sea gas discharge models used in North Sea and Norwegian