SPT Young Offshore Pipeline Engineers Seminar
Monday 22 September 2025
Leonardo Royal London Tower Bridge Hotel, London E1
sponsored by
in collaboration with
In 2024 SPT proudly launched a new initiative with a one-day technical programme for young engineers and new entrants to the subsea and offshore pipeline industry. The 2025 SPT Young Offshore Pipeline Engineers seminar developed in collaboration with Young Pipeline Professionals Europe (YPPE) will be held the day before the SPT 2025 congress on Monday 22 September at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge.
Industry experts will discuss lessons learned and introduce young engineers to some of the new technologies currently under development or in operation.
The subsidised event includes admission to the evening drinks reception where young engineers can gain access to Speakers and the SPT Advisory Committee in a relaxed environment and have the opportunity to network with other young professionals and industry experts.
YPPE is a group of highly motivated young professionals working within the pipeline industry with the aim of knowledge sharing to ensure the longevity of the industry, addressing the industry’s skill shortage and foster relationships. Full details www.yppeurope.org
Registration costs
SPT Young Offshore Pipeline Engineers seminar - £120 plus VAT
Eligibility criteria
If you are currently working, looking to work or studying within the pipeline industry, under the age of 35 years old or have less than 10 years’ experience in the sector, then you are eligible.
To book your place, please complete the registration form at the bottom of this page
PROGRAMME: 22 SEPTEMBER 2025
9:30
Registration and coffee
10:00
Welcome from the Chair
Alasdair Clyne, Business Line Manager, Integrity Services, ROSEN (UK)
10:10
Subsea pipeline design: lessons from past projects
Kevin Williams, Director, OGV Ltd
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This presentation aims to provide a brief introduction to the importance of the unknown unknowns and forgotten knowns in subsea oil and gas pipeline design; and also introduce some of the topics that will be covered in the main conference. The presentation will draw upon real-world examples from past projects, covering lessons learned, what went well and what did not. By discussing things that have not progressed as well as hoped as well as successful case studies, the presentation aims highlight lessons to be learned, and the challenge of evolving approaches to pipeline design
10:40
Geotechnical insight into pipeline engineering
Dr Indrasenan Thusynthan, Global Offshore Director, Venterra Design
11:10
Networking refreshment break
11:40
Progress and benefit of using FE analyses for offshore pipeline systems
Graeme Roberts, Engineering Specialist, Subsea 7
Authors: Graeme Roberts and Norman Goalby (Subsea7)
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Finite element analysis is used for the assessment of subsea pipelines and risers, the associated spools, termination and in-line structures and manifolds. The finite element approach is often described as offering a ‘toolbox’ or ‘Lego kit’ from which analytical simulations or constructs of real-world problems can be realised.
Pipeline engineers have learned over the last four decades how to work successfully with FE software to get convergent and reliable outcomes from efficient solvers.
Through time, project requirements have forced the development of engineers’ skills and adeptness with FE to cover increased challenges; for example, HP/HT pipeline systems, PIP systems, bundles, flexibles, RCM installation and pipeline roll, re-analysis of operating pipelines, free spans and VIV, fracture mechanics and ECA.
FE has continued to prove itself as the only viable analytical tool that is applicable to the complete range of offshore pipeline thermo-dynamic assessments, albeit with a serious need for bespoke pre-processing that enable rapid generation and post-processing that clearly indicates code compliance or areas for redesign.
In this paper, the history of FE in the pipeline industry is briefly discussed as are some fundamental aspects of FE’s application. Practical examples are given to demonstrate FE’s application range. The benefits to engineers of being able to use the technology effectively, understand its limitations and then critique and improve the methods are discussed. The status of FE in the context of an EPCI contractor is described and the history and future of FE is indicated with reference to four ages, namely an “Age of Innocence”, “Age of Enlightenment”, “Industrialisation” and a “Post Modern” era.
12:10
Introduction to inline inspection and asset integrity management
Alasdair Clyne, Business Line Manager, Integrity Services, ROSEN (UK)
12:40
Lunch
13:40
Introduction to hydrogen pipelines
Pieter Swart, Director and Pipeline Authority, SeaLeopard Engineering
14:10
Introduction to CO2 pipeline design
Philip Cooper, Aramis FEED Project Director, Petrofac
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CO 2 pipelines are an enabler for carbon capture and storage projects and are attracting significant attention. Many projects in the UK and Europe are in advanced stages of design or preparing for construction. Equinor’s Northern Lights project in Norway leads the way, with the 12”, 100km offshore pipeline installed last year and start-up planned in 2024.
Accordingly, pipeline engineers are now required to be familiar with the design and operation requirements of CO 2 pipelines. This talk provides a high-level introduction, touching on:
The CO 2 phase diagram, effect of impurities and implications for pipeline transport
CO 2 safety
Dense Phase vs Vapour Phase operation
Materials and corrosion considerations
Repurposing of redundant gas pipelines for CO 2
Design requirements for CO 2 pipelines
Fracture control requirements
Pre-commissioning and commissioning considerations
Special requirements for operation, shut-down and de-pressurisation
14:40
Break
15:10
Pipeline digital twins for asset integrity
James Wardrop, Founder and Director, PipelineSentry
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Pipelines contain diverse data sets from multiple vendors, spanning wave heights, material strength, and soil stiffness. Much of this data remains trapped in documents, leading to extreme conservatism in integrity management and an incomplete understanding of risk. Traditional design approaches set rigid limits based on worst-case scenarios, limiting the true value of available data.
By adopting a common data structure, we can unlock these data sets, making them accessible and actionable. Enhanced user interfaces, including 3D visualizations, enable engineers to interact with layered inspection and as-built data, preserving critical context often lost in conventional methods.
Moreover, accessible data enables automated integrity assessments, replacing the time-consuming task of data retrieval with real-time digital twin analyses. This shift allows engineers to focus on value-added engineering rather than administrative data management. A pipeline digital twin transforms and enhances integrity management, improving efficiency, risk assessment, and decision-making.
Finally, as the pipeline digital twin grows it can be integrated with large language models (such as Chat GPT) and begin interacting with the human engineers. Imagine a pipeline that knows itself, that can prompt engineers to act or plan its own inspection campaign? The human will still be in control, however working with this kind of system will revolutionize how we see pipelines and how we interact with them.
15:40
Introduction to Reeling ECA-by-FEA
Dr Lingjun Cao, ECA Team Lead, Subsea7
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When pipelines and risers are to be reeled, engineering critical assessment (ECA) is done to calculate post-weld allowable flaw sizes. In this talk, Dr Lingjun Cao will tell us when the ECA calculations should be done with the finite element method; what input is needed, what the focus of the calculations is, and what output is expected. The talk will focus on small-scale and large-scale physical tests that have been done to successfully validate the ECA calculations. Lingjun will also describe some new mathematical techniques that can permit rapid ECA re-assessments.
16:10
Close of seminar
16:15
Drinks reception hosted by
(Leo’s bar – ground floor)
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22 September 2025
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