Specification for Flexible Pipe Ancillary Equipment

API SPECIFICATION 17L1 FIRST EDITION, MARCH 2013

ERRATA 1, JANUARY 2015

ERRATA 2, NOVEMBER 2015

REAFFIRMED, AUGUST 2020

Special Notes

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Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard. API does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.

Classified areas may vary depending on the location, conditions, equipment, and substances involved in any given situation. Users of this Specification should consult with the appropriate authorities having jurisdiction.

Users of this Specification should not rely exclusively on the information contained in this document. Sound business, scientific, engineering, and safety judgment should be used in employing the information contained herein.

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Copyright © 2013 American Petroleum Institute

Foreword

Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

Shall: As used in a standard, “shall” denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the specification.

Should: As used in a standard, “should” denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in order to conform to the specification.

This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually by API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001.

Suggested revisions are invited and 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001, standards@api.org.

This standard shall become effective on the date printed on the cover but may be used voluntarily from the date of distribution. Standards referenced herein may be replaced by other international or national standards that can be shown to meet or exceed the requirements of the referenced standard.

This standard is under the jurisdiction of the API Subcommittee on Subsea Production Systems. API Subcommittee 17 documents consists of the following:

• RP 17A, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—General Requirements and Recommendations

• RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe

• RP 17C, Recommended Practice on TFL (Through Flowline) Systems

• Spec 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment

• Spec 17E, Specification for Subsea Umbilicals

• Spec 17F, Specification for Subsea Production Control Systems

• RP 17G, Recommended Practice for Completion/Workover Risers

• RP 17H, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Interfaces on Subsea Production Systems

• Spec 17J, Specification for Unbonded Flexible Pipe

• Spec 17K, Specification for Bonded Flexible Pipe

• Spec 17L1, Specification for Flexible Pipe Ancillary Equipment

• RP 17L2, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe Ancillary Equipment

• RP 17M, Recommended Practice on Remotely Operated Tool (ROT) Intervention Systems

• RP 17N, Recommended Practice for Subsea Production System Reliabilityand Technical Risk Management

• RP 17O, Recommended Practice for Subsea High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS)

• RP 17P, Subsea Structures and Manifolds (in press)

• RP 17Q, Subsea Equipment Qualification–Standardized Process for Documentation

iii

Contents page

1. Scope. 1

2. Normative References 2

3. Terms, Definitions, Abbreviations and Symbols 5

   1. Terms and Definitions 5

   2. Symbols and Abbreviated Terms 16

4. General Requirements 17

   1. Description 17

   2. Functional Requirements 18

   3. Design Requirements 21

   4. Material Requirements 29

   5. Manufacturing Requirements 35

   6. Documentation 39

   7. Factory Acceptance Tests 42

   8. Marking and Packaging 43

5. Bend Stiffeners 43

   1. Applicability 43

   2. Functional Requirements 44

   3. Design Requirements 46

   4. Material Requirements 51

   5. Manufacturing Requirements 53

   6. Documentation 54

   7. Factory Acceptance Tests 56

   8. Marking 57

6. Bend Restrictors 57

   1. Applicability 57

   2. Functional Requirements 58

   3. Design Requirements 61

   4. Material Requirements 65

   5. Manufacturing Requirements 65

   6. Documentation 67

   7. Factory Acceptance Tests 69

   8. Marking and Packaging 70

7. Bellmouths 71

   1. Applicability 71

   2. Functional Requirements 71

   3. Design Requirements 73

   4. Material Requirements 75

   5. Manufacturing Requirements 76

   6. Documentation 77

   7. Factory Acceptance Tests 78

   8. Marking 79

8. Buoyancy and Ballast Modules 79

   1. Applicability 79

   2. Functional Requirements 80

   3. Design Requirements—Loads 82

   4. Design Methodology 82

   5. Material Requirements 86

   6. Manufacturing Requirements 88

   7. Documentation 91

   8. Factory Acceptance Tests 93

   9. Marking and Packaging 95

9. Subsea Buoys 96

   1. Applicability 96

   2. Functional Requirements 96

   3. Design Requirements 100

   4. Material Requirements 106

   5. Manufacturing Requirements 107

   6. Documentation 108

   7. Factory Acceptance Tests 111

   8. Marking 113

10. Tethers 114

    1. Applicability 114

    2. Functional Requirements 114

    3. Design Requirements 116

    4. Material Requirements 119

    5. Manufacturing Requirements 120

    6. Documentation—Design Report 120

    7. Factory Acceptance Tests 121

    8. Marking and Packaging 121

11. Riser and Tether Bases 122

    1. Applicability 122

    2. Functional Requirements—General 122

    3. Functional Requirements—Riser Bases 123

    4. Functional Requirements—Tether Bases 125

    5. Design Requirements 125

    6. Material Requirements 129

    7. Manufacturing Requirements 129

    8. Documentation—Design Report 129

    9. Factory Acceptance Tests 131

    10. Marking 133

12. General Clamping Device Requirements 133

    1. Applicability 133

    2. Functional Requirements 134

    3. Design Requirements 135

    4. Material Requirements—Polymer Inner-liner Materials 136

    5. Documentation—Clamp Design Report 137

13. Subsea Buoy Clamps 137

    1. Applicability 137

    2. Functional Requirements 138

    3. Design Requirements 139

    4. Material Requirements 140

    5. Manufacturing Requirements—Process Control 141

    6. Documentation 141

    7. Factory Acceptance Tests 142

    8. Marking 143

14. Tether Clamps 143

    1. Applicability 143

    2. Functional Requirements 144

    3. Design Requirements 146

    4. Material Requirements 147

    5. Manufacturing Requirements—Process Control 148

    6. Documentation 149

    7. Factory Acceptance Tests 150

    8. Marking 151

15. Piggy-back Systems 152

    1. Applicability 152

    2. Functional Requirements 152

    3. Design Requirements 155

    4. Material Requirements 158

    5. Manufacturing Requirements 159

    6. Documentation 160

    7. Factory Acceptance Tests 161

    8. Marking 163

16. Repair Clamps 163

    1. Applicability 163

    2. Functional Requirements 163

    3. Design Requirements 165

    4. Material Requirements 167

    5. Manufacturing Requirements 167

    6. Documentation 167

    7. Factory Acceptance Tests 169

    8. Marking 170

17. I/J-tube Seals 170

    1. Applicability 170

    2. Functional Requirements 171

    3. Design Requirements 173

    4. Material Requirements 175

    5. Manufacturing Requirements 176

    6. Documentation 177

    7. Factory Acceptance Tests 178

    8. Marking and Packaging 180

18. Pull-in Heads 181

    1. Applicability 181

    2. Functional Requirements 181

    3. Design Requirements 183

    4. Manufacturing Requirements—Tolerances. 184

    5. Documentation Requirements 184

    6. Factory Acceptance Tests 186

    7. Marking and Packaging 187

19. Chinese Fingers/Cable Grips 187

    1. Applicability 187

    2. Functional Requirements 188

    3. Design Requirements 189

    4. Material Requirements 189

    5. Manufacturing Requirements 189

    6. Documentation Requirements 189

    7. Factory Acceptance Tests 190

    8. Marking 191

20. Connectors 191

    1. Applicability 191

    2. Functional Requirements 191

    3. Design Requirements 193

    4. Material Requirements 195

    5. Manufacturing Requirements 196

    6. Documentation 196

    7. Factory Acceptance Tests 197

    8. Marking and Packaging 197

21. Load-transferring Devices 198

    1. Applicability 198

    2. Functional Requirements 198

    3. Design Requirements 200

    4. Material Requirements 204

    5. Manufacturing Requirements 204

    6. Documentation 204

    7. Factory Acceptance Tests 206

    8. Marking and Packaging 209

22. Mechanical Protection 209

    1. Applicability 209

    2. Functional Requirements—General 210

    3. Functional Requirements—Abrasion and Impact Protection 210

    4. Functional Requirements—Blanket Protection 212

    5. Design Requirements—General 213

    6. Design Requirements—General 213

    7. Material Requirements 215

    8. Manufacturing Requirements—Process Control 215

    9. Documentation 216

    10. Factory Acceptance Tests 218

    11. Marking and Packaging 219

23. Fire Protection 220

    1. Applicability 220

    2. Functional Requirements 220

    3. Design Requirements 222

    4. Material Requirements 225

    5. Manufacturing Requirements 227

    6. Documentation 227

    7. Factory Acceptance Tests 228

    8. Marking 229

Annex A (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Bend Stiffeners 230

Annex B (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Bend Restrictors 237

Annex C (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Bellmouths 242

Annex D (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Buoyancy and Ballast Modules 247

Annex E (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Subsea Buoys 259

Annex F (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Tethers 266

Annex G (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Riser and Tether Bases 270

Annex H (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Subsea Buoy Clamps 280

Annex I (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Tether Clamps 285

Annex J (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Piggy-back Systems 291

Annex K (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Repair Clamps 299

Annex L (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for I/J-tube Seals. 304

Annex M (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Pull-in Heads 310

Annex N (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Chinese Fingers/Cable Grips 312

Annex O (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Connectors 314

Annex P (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Load-transfer Devices 319

Annex Q (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Mechanical Protection 325

Annex R (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Fire Protection 332

Bibliography 337

Introduction

This specification is the result of a Joint Industry Project to develop a worldwide industry standard for the design, material selection, manufacture, documentation, testing, marking and packaging of flexible pipe ancillary equipment. The objective of this specification is to provide an integrated approach, together with API 17B, API 17J, API 17K and API 17L2, to the design of flexible pipe systems. Therefore it is intended that this document be used in close conjunction with these documents.

Within this document, “shall” is used to state that a provision is mandatory; “should” is used to state that a provision is not mandatory, but is recommended as good practice; “may” is used to state that a provision is optional.

Systeme Internationale (SI) units are identified first when cited in the document. United States Customary (USC) units may be given in brackets after the SI units.

Specification for Flexible Pipe Ancillary Equipment

1 Scope

This specification defines the technical requirements for safe, dimensionally and functionally interchangeable flexible pipe ancillary equipment that is designed and manufactured to uniform standards and criteria.

Minimum requirements are specified for the design, material selection, manufacture, testing, documentation, marking and packaging of flexible pipe ancillary equipment, with reference to existing codes and standards where applicable. See API 17L2 for guidelines on the use of ancillary equipment.

The applicability relating to a specific item of ancillary equipment is stated at the beginning of the particular section for the ancillary equipment in question.

This specification applies to the following flexible pipe ancillary equipment:

• bend stiffeners;

  
  

• bend restrictors;

  
  

• bellmouths;

  
  

• buoyancy modules and ballast modules;

  
  

• subsea buoys;

  
  

• tethers for subsea buoys and tether clamps;

  
  

• riser and tether bases;

  
  

• clamping devices;

  
  

• piggy-back clamps;

  
  

• repair clamps;

  
  

• I/J-tube seals;

  
  

• pull-in heads/installation aids;

  
  

• connectors;

  
  

• load-transfer devices;

  
  

• mechanical protection;

  
  

• fire protection.

This specification may be used for bonded flexible pipe ancillary equipment, though any requirements specific to these applications are not addressed.