Case Study: GEOMSA achieves resilient subsea pipeline integrity against geological shifts with Bentley's AutoPIPE

GEOMSA’s Innovative Subsea Pipeline Design Withstands Effects of a Geological Shift in the Gulf of Mexico

GEOMSA, a marine and submarine pipeline engineering firm, was contracted to design and install an 8‑ to 24‑inch subsea pipeline across a geological fault in Campeche Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. The primary challenge was to produce a realistic, regulatory‑compliant design that would maintain reliability and safety under seabed shifts and prevent catastrophic pipeline failure. To assess pipe‑soil interaction and structural behavior, GEOMSA used Bentley’s AutoPIPE software.

Using Bentley’s AutoPIPE, the team modeled seabed support conditions, identified pipeline and ground deformities and load concentrations, and iteratively increased slope scenarios to meet regulatory limits—leading to design changes such as adding an intermediate expansion loop to increase flexibility. Bentley’s solution improved productivity, reduced time spent on flexibility analysis, ensured compliance with codes, and helped secure a safer pipeline that supports increased domestic oil production and regional jobs while lowering environmental risk.

GEOMSA

Roberto Chávez Argüelles

Chief Executive Officer