Submerged Pipeline Design

Pipeline Buoyancy: Weighting & Flotation Engineering Guide

Calculate buoyancy forces, design weight coating thickness, and specify anchoring systems for underwater and buried pipelines using Archimedes principle and ASME B31.8 criteria.

Concrete coating

1.5-4 inches typical

Concrete weight coating thickness varies by pipe size and buoyancy requirement.

DNV-RP-F109

10% negative buoyancy

Total weight ≥ 1.1× buoyant force for vertical stability.

Weight coating

190 lb/ft³ typical

Aggregate-weighted concrete coating density (SG ≈ 3.0).

Use this guide when you need to:

  • Calculate buoyancy forces on submerged pipelines.
  • Design concrete weight coating thickness.
  • Evaluate anchoring requirements and spacing.

1. Overview & Applications

Submerged pipelines experience upward buoyancy force equal to the weight of water displaced. Buoyancy control is essential for pipeline stability in rivers, lakes, marshes, offshore installations, and buried pipelines in high water tables.

River crossings

Trenchless installations

HDD and direct-pipe crossings under rivers require buoyancy control during construction.

Offshore pipelines

Subsea installations

Offshore oil and gas pipelines on seabed require negative buoyancy or anchoring.

Marsh/wetland routes

Shallow burial

Pipelines in marshlands and wetlands experience buoyant uplift from saturated soils.

High water table

Buried pipelines

Pipelines buried in high water table conditions require flotation analysis.

Key Concepts

  • Archimedes principle: Buoyant force equals weight of fluid displaced by submerged object
  • Submerged weight: Actual weight minus buoyant force (can be negative = net uplift)
  • Specific gravity (SG): Density relative to water (SG = ρ/ρ_water)
  • Weight coating: Dense material (concrete) applied to pipe exterior to increase submerged weight
  • Negative buoyancy: Condition where submerged weight is negative (pipe sinks)
Why buoyancy matters: Empty or gas-filled pipelines can float to surface if not adequately weighted or anchored, causing operational failure, environmental damage, and safety hazards. Proper buoyancy analysis ensures pipeline remains in place.

IMAGE: Pipeline Buoyancy Force Diagram

Shows submerged pipeline with upward buoyancy force, downward weight components, and net force vectors

Failure Modes from Inadequate Buoyancy Control

  • Flotation: Pipeline floats to surface, breaking out of trench or breaking connections
  • Upheaval buckling: Buried pipeline bows upward from soil, creating high bending stress
  • Lateral movement: Subsea pipeline displaced by currents when submerged weight too low
  • Span formation: Pipeline bridges over seabed depressions, creating unsupported spans subject to VIV
  • Construction flotation: Pipeline floats during flooding stages before anchoring or backfill

Design Codes and Standards

  • ASME B31.8: Gas pipeline buoyancy control and weight coating requirements
  • ASME B31.4: Liquid pipeline buoyancy requirements
  • API RP 1102: Steel Pipeline Crossing Railroads and Highways (includes buoyancy for HDD)
  • DNV-ST-F101: Submarine Pipeline Systems (offshore on-bottom stability)
  • CFR Title 49 Part 192/195: Pipeline Safety Regulations (burial and protection requirements)

2. Buoyancy Force Calculations

Buoyancy force is determined by Archimedes principle: an object submerged in fluid experiences upward force equal to the weight of displaced fluid.

Archimedes Principle

Buoyant Force: F_b = ρ_fluid × V_displaced × g Where: F_b = Buoyant force (lb or N) ρ_fluid = Fluid density (lb/ft³ or kg/m³) V_displaced = Volume of fluid displaced (ft³ or m³) g = Gravitational acceleration (32.2 ft/s² or 9.81 m/s²) For water (most common): ρ_water = 62.4 lb/ft³ (fresh water) ρ_seawater = 64.0 lb/ft³ (seawater, 3.5% salinity) Simplified form (water, per unit length): F_b = ρ_water × A_submerged × L F_b (lb/ft) = 62.4 × A (ft²) Where A = submerged cross-sectional area

Submerged Pipeline Buoyancy

For a cylindrical pipe with coating, calculate displaced volume:

IMAGE: Coated Pipeline Cross-Section

Shows concentric layers: steel pipe wall, FBE coating, concrete weight coating, with dimensions labeled

Displaced Volume (per foot of length): A_displaced = π × (OD_coated)² / 4 Where: OD_coated = Outer diameter including coating (in) Convert to ft²: A_displaced (ft²) = π × (OD_coated/12)² / 4 Buoyant force per foot: F_b = 62.4 × π × (OD_coated/12)² / 4 Example - 20" pipe with 2" concrete coating: Pipe OD: 20 inches Coating thickness: 2 inches each side = 4 inches total OD_coated = 20 + 4 = 24 inches = 2.0 ft A_displaced = π × (2.0)² / 4 = 3.142 ft² F_b = 62.4 × 3.142 = 196 lb/ft (fresh water)

Submerged Weight Calculation

Submerged Weight: W_sub = W_air - F_b Where: W_sub = Submerged weight (lb/ft) W_air = Weight in air (lb/ft) = pipe + coating + contents + appurtenances F_b = Buoyant force (lb/ft) Components of air weight: W_air = W_pipe + W_coating + W_contents + W_misc W_pipe = weight of steel pipe (lb/ft) W_coating = weight of external coating (lb/ft) W_contents = weight of product inside pipe (lb/ft) W_misc = anodes, bracings, insulation (lb/ft) Buoyancy sign convention: W_sub > 0 → Pipe has net downward force (sinks) W_sub < 0 → Pipe has net upward force (floats) Design criterion (DNV-RP-F109 / ASME B31.8): W_total ≥ SF × F_b (equivalently: W_sub ≥ (SF - 1) × F_b) Where SF = safety factor (typically 1.1 per DNV-RP-F109)

Empty vs. Operating Condition

Most critical buoyancy condition is typically empty pipe during construction or maintenance:

Condition Contents Weight Buoyancy Risk Design Basis
Empty (air-filled) ~0 lb/ft Highest (worst case) Design for this condition
Gas-filled (operating) 1-5 lb/ft (low pressure gas) High (still critical) Check this condition
Liquid-filled (hydrostatic test) 60-70 lb/ft (water) Low (negative buoyancy) Usually not governing
Liquid-filled (crude oil) 45-55 lb/ft (API 30-40) Medium Check for light products
NGL/LPG 30-35 lb/ft (propane, SG~0.5) Medium-high May govern for light products

Worked Example: 24" Gas Pipeline Buoyancy

Given Data: Pipe: 24" OD, 0.375" wall thickness (STD), Grade X65 Coating: 1.5" concrete weight coating (190 lb/ft³ density) Anti-corrosion: 0.080" fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) under concrete Location: River crossing, fresh water Condition: Empty pipe (air-filled) Step 1: Calculate pipe weight Steel pipe weight: 94.62 lb/ft (from ASME B36.10 table) Step 2: Calculate FBE coating weight FBE thickness: 0.080" = 0.00667 ft OD_pipe = 24/12 = 2.0 ft FBE volume = π × [(2.0 + 2×0.00667)² - 2.0²] / 4 = 0.0419 ft³/ft FBE weight = 0.0419 × 90 lb/ft³ = 3.77 lb/ft Step 3: Calculate concrete coating weight Concrete thickness: 1.5" = 0.125 ft OD_under_concrete = 24 + 2×0.080 = 24.16" = 2.013 ft OD_over_concrete = 24.16 + 2×1.5 = 27.16" = 2.263 ft Concrete volume = π × [(2.263)² - (2.013)²] / 4 = 0.8416 ft³/ft Concrete weight = 0.8416 × 190 = 159.9 lb/ft Step 4: Total air weight W_air = 94.62 + 3.77 + 159.9 + 0 (empty) = 258.3 lb/ft Step 5: Buoyant force OD_coated = 27.16" = 2.263 ft A_displaced = π × (2.263)² / 4 = 4.022 ft² F_b = 62.4 × 4.022 = 251.0 lb/ft Step 6: Net force (submerged weight) W_sub = W_air - F_b = 258.3 - 251.0 = +7.3 lb/ft (Positive = sinks; Negative = floats) Step 7: Check DNV-RP-F109 (10% negative buoyancy) Required: W_air ≥ 1.1 × F_b Required: W_air ≥ 1.1 × 251.0 = 276.1 lb/ft Actual: W_air = 258.3 lb/ft Result: FAILS DNV check. Need additional 17.8 lb/ft Solution: Increase concrete coating to 2.0" thickness OD_coated = 24.16 + 2×2.0 = 28.16" → A_displaced = 4.325 ft² F_b = 62.4 × 4.325 = 269.9 lb/ft W_concrete = 1.1412 × 190 = 216.8 lb/ft W_air = 94.62 + 3.77 + 216.8 = 315.2 lb/ft Ratio = 315.2 / 269.9 = 1.17 ≥ 1.1 → PASSES DNV ✓
Design principle: Per DNV-RP-F109, total weight must exceed 110% of buoyant force for vertical stability. Even if pipe sinks (positive submerged weight), it may not meet the 10% negative buoyancy requirement.

Seawater vs. Freshwater Buoyancy

Seawater has ~2.6% higher density than freshwater, increasing buoyancy:

Buoyancy Difference: Fresh water: ρ = 62.4 lb/ft³ Seawater: ρ = 64.0 lb/ft³ (3.5% salinity, 60°F) For 24" coated pipe (OD = 27.16", A = 4.022 ft²): F_b (fresh) = 62.4 × 4.022 = 251.0 lb/ft F_b (seawater) = 64.0 × 4.022 = 257.4 lb/ft Difference: 257.4 - 251.0 = 6.4 lb/ft (2.6% increase) Design implication: If designed for freshwater and installed in seawater, buoyancy increases. Always design for actual installation environment.

3. Weight Coating Design

Weight coating (typically concrete) is applied to pipeline exterior to increase submerged weight and provide negative buoyancy. Coating thickness is calculated to achieve target submerged weight including safety factor.

Concrete Coating Properties

Coating Type Density (lb/ft³) Specific Gravity Application
Weight coating concrete 190 3.05 Standard weight coating for subsea/river crossings
High-density concrete 220-240 3.5-3.8 Iron ore or barite aggregate when thinner coating needed
Standard structural concrete 140-150 2.2-2.4 Not used for weight coating (insufficient density)
Fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) 85-95 1.4-1.5 Corrosion protection layer under concrete

Required Coating Thickness Calculation

Design Equation: W_sub,target = W_pipe + W_FBE + W_concrete + W_contents - F_b Set W_total,target = SF × F_b (where SF = 1.1 per DNV-RP-F109) Solve for concrete thickness t_conc Iterative solution (trial and error): 1. Assume concrete thickness t_conc 2. Calculate OD_coated = OD_pipe + 2×t_FBE + 2×t_conc 3. Calculate F_b = 62.4 × π × (OD_coated/12)² / 4 4. Calculate W_concrete = π × [(R_outer)² - (R_inner)²] × ρ_concrete 5. Calculate W_total = W_pipe + W_FBE + W_concrete + W_contents 6. Check if W_total ≥ SF × F_b 7. If not, increase t_conc and repeat Rule of thumb (for quick estimates): t_conc (inches) ≈ 0.08 × OD_pipe (inches) for empty gas pipelines Example: 24" pipe → t_conc ≈ 0.08 × 24 = 1.9 inches (use 2.0")

Standard Coating Thicknesses

Typical concrete coating thickness ranges by pipe size and application:

Pipe OD (in) Minimum Thickness (in) Typical Thickness (in) Maximum Practical (in)
4 - 8 1.0 1.5 - 2.0 3.0
10 - 16 1.25 1.5 - 2.5 4.0
20 - 30 1.5 2.0 - 3.0 4.5
36 - 48 2.0 2.5 - 4.0 5.0
> 48 2.5 3.0 - 4.0 6.0

Note: Maximum thickness limited by handling weight, coating adhesion, and thermal stress. Very thick coatings may require reinforcement.

Coating Application Methods

  • Plant-applied coating: Concrete applied at coating plant before shipping. Most common for long-line construction. Quality-controlled environment.
  • Field-applied coating: Coating applied on-site (field joints, tie-ins). Requires portable equipment, weather-dependent. Used for connections and repairs.
  • Impingement method: Concrete sprayed onto rotating pipe. Good adhesion, uniform thickness. Most common plant method.
  • Wrap-on method: Pre-formed half-shells bolted or strapped to pipe. Used in difficult-to-coat situations. Less common.

Coating Design Considerations

  • Impact resistance: Concrete must resist impact during handling, shipping, and installation
  • Thermal compatibility: Coating and pipe thermal expansion must be compatible to prevent cracking
  • Adhesion: FBE or other primer ensures concrete bonds to pipe, prevents slip
  • Reinforcement: Wire mesh or fibers may be added to thick coatings (>3") for crack resistance
  • Curing time: 28-day cure period required for full strength before installation
  • Handling weight: Coated pipe may exceed crane capacity; affects logistics
Coating vs. anchoring trade-off: Thicker coating increases cost, handling difficulty, and shipping weight. For marginal buoyancy cases, mechanical anchoring may be more economical than very thick coating.

Coating Damage and Repair

Concrete coating can be damaged during handling and installation:

Allowable Damage Criteria (Industry Practice): Minor damage (cosmetic cracks, small chips): - Area < 100 cm² per location - Depth < 25% of coating thickness - No steel exposure - Action: Document, no repair typically required Major damage: - Area > 100 cm² - Depth > 25% thickness or steel exposed - Cracks extending fully through thickness - Action: Repair required Repair methods: 1. Grind/clean damaged area 2. Apply epoxy primer 3. Rebuild with cement mortar or epoxy-based repair compound 4. Cure 24-48 hours before installation

Alternative Weight Systems

When concrete coating is impractical or insufficient:

System Description Weight Range (lb/ft) Application
Screw-on weights Saddle-mounted weights bolted to pipe 50-500 per module Offshore, adjustable weight, post-installation addition
Grout bags Sandbags or grout-filled bags over pipe 100-1,000 per bag Temporary or permanent, river crossings
Chain/cable weights Heavy chain wrapped around pipe 20-100 per wrap Shallow water, temporary during construction
Articulated mattresses Concrete blocks linked by cables 500-5,000 Offshore span control, post-lay stabilization

4. Anchoring Systems

When weight coating alone is insufficient or impractical, mechanical anchoring systems secure pipelines against buoyancy and current forces. Anchors are spaced along pipeline to provide hold-down force.

IMAGE: Pipeline Anchoring Systems

Shows concrete deadman anchor with strap over pipeline, helical anchor, and saddle weight configurations

Anchor Types

Anchor Type Holding Capacity Installation Best Application
Concrete deadmen 5,000-50,000 lb Cast in-situ or precast blocks with straps River beds, marshes, high water table burial
Helical anchors 10,000-100,000 lb Screwed into soil/rock with torque equipment Stable soils, where drilling is feasible
Driven piles 20,000-200,000 lb Impact or vibration driving Deep anchorage, high uplift loads, rock
Rock anchors (drilled) 50,000-500,000 lb Drill, grout threaded rod into rock Rocky substrates, high-capacity anchoring
Suction anchors 100,000-1,000,000 lb Pump suction creates embedment in soft seabed Offshore soft clay/silt seabeds
Plate anchors 5,000-50,000 lb Buried plates with straps to pipe Shallow burial, lateral restraint

Anchor Spacing Calculation

Required Anchor Force: F_anchor,total = (F_b - W_sub) × L_span × SF Where: F_b = Buoyant force per unit length (lb/ft) W_sub = Submerged weight per unit length (lb/ft) L_span = Length of pipeline span between anchors (ft) SF = Safety factor (1.5 to 2.0) Anchor spacing: L_span = F_anchor,capacity / [(F_b - W_sub) × SF] Example: 24" pipe, submerged weight = +11.5 lb/ft (net uplift) Buoyant force = 251.0 lb/ft Net uplift per foot = 11.5 lb/ft Anchor capacity = 10,000 lb (concrete deadman) Safety factor = 1.5 L_span = 10,000 / (11.5 × 1.5) = 580 ft Use anchor spacing: 500 ft (conservative) Total anchors for 5,000 ft crossing: 5,000/500 = 10 anchors

Concrete Deadman Design

Most common anchor type for pipeline crossings:

Deadman Weight Required: W_deadman = F_uplift / (μ - tan(θ)) For vertical uplift with no sliding (θ = 90°): W_deadman = F_uplift (minimum, assumes no soil resistance) With soil resistance (bearing capacity): F_capacity = W_deadman × γ_soil × A_base × N_c Where: γ_soil = Soil unit weight (lb/ft³) A_base = Deadman base area (ft²) N_c = Bearing capacity factor (5-9 for soft to stiff clay) Typical deadman dimensions: For 10,000 lb capacity: Block: 4 ft × 4 ft × 2 ft high Concrete volume: 32 ft³ Concrete weight: 32 × 150 = 4,800 lb Effective capacity = 4,800 + soil resistance Strap: Stainless steel band or cable, 1-2" wide, wrapped over pipe Embedment: Minimum 3 ft below scour depth

Helical Anchor Design

Helical anchors are screw-in foundations providing high capacity in competent soils:

Helical Anchor Capacity: Q_ult = A_helix × q × N_q Where: A_helix = Total helix plate area (ft²) q = Soil bearing pressure (psf) N_q = Bearing capacity factor (depth and soil dependent) Torque correlation (during installation): Q_ult = K_t × T Where: T = Installation torque (ft-lb) K_t = Empirical torque factor (3-10 ft⁻¹ depending on soil) Typical installation: - Helix diameter: 8-14 inches - Shaft diameter: 1.5-3 inches - Embedment depth: 10-30 ft - Installation torque: 5,000-30,000 ft-lb - Capacity: 10,000-100,000 lb

Lateral Stability and Current Forces

Offshore and river crossing pipelines also experience lateral forces from water current:

Drag Force (Lateral): F_drag = 0.5 × ρ_water × V² × C_D × A_projected Where: ρ_water = Water density (lb/ft³ / g) V = Current velocity (ft/s) C_D = Drag coefficient (0.6-1.2 for cylinders) A_projected = Projected area = OD × L Lift Force (Vertical): F_lift = 0.5 × ρ_water × V² × C_L × A_plan Where: C_L = Lift coefficient (0.4-0.8 for cylinders near seabed) A_plan = Plan view area = OD × L Total lateral stability requirement: F_anchor ≥ √[(F_drag)² + (F_lift)²] + (F_buoyancy - W_sub) Anchors must resist combined buoyancy and hydrodynamic forces.
Anchor placement strategy: Concentrate anchors at high points in pipeline profile where buoyancy is greatest. Reduce spacing in strong current areas. Allow for scour depth when specifying embedment.

Geotechnical Investigation for Anchoring

Soil conditions dictate anchor type and capacity:

Soil Type Preferred Anchor Typical Capacity Installation Challenge
Soft clay/silt Suction anchor, deadman Low to medium Low shear strength, limited holding
Stiff clay Helical anchor, driven pile Medium to high Good holding, may require pre-drilling
Dense sand Helical anchor, deadman Medium Good drainage, scour potential
Gravel Driven pile, deadman Medium to high High friction, difficult drilling
Rock Drilled rock anchor Very high Expensive drilling, excellent holding
Organic/peat Deep pile to bearing layer Low (surface), high (depth) Very soft near surface, anchor to competent soil

5. On-Bottom Stability

Offshore subsea pipelines laid on the seabed must resist lateral movement from waves and currents. On-bottom stability analysis combines buoyancy, hydrodynamic forces, soil resistance, and pipe-soil friction.

DNV-ST-F101 Stability Criteria

DNV (Det Norske Veritas) standard for submarine pipelines requires:

Lateral Stability Criterion: F_stabilizing ≥ F_destabilizing × SF Stabilizing forces: - Submerged weight (negative buoyancy) - Soil friction (μ × W_sub) - Passive soil resistance (for partially embedded pipe) Destabilizing forces: - Hydrodynamic drag (current) - Hydrodynamic lift (current over pipe) - Wave-induced forces (shallow water) Safety factors: SF = 1.1 for normal design SF = 1.5 for shallow water (<30 m) or high-energy environment

Passive Soil Resistance

Pipeline embedment into seabed provides lateral resistance:

Passive Resistance Force: F_passive = γ_soil × z² × N_p × L Where: γ_soil = Submerged soil unit weight (lb/ft³) z = Embedment depth (ft) N_p = Passive pressure coefficient (2-10 depending on soil) L = Length of pipe segment (ft) Pipe-soil friction: F_friction = μ × (W_sub + F_lift) Where: μ = Friction coefficient (0.3-0.6 for pipe on clay/sand) Total lateral resistance: F_total = F_friction + F_passive This resistance must exceed lateral hydrodynamic forces.

Trenching and Burial

Burying pipeline eliminates hydrodynamic forces and provides maximum stability:

Installation Method Typical Cover Depth Advantages Disadvantages
Surface lay 0 (on seabed) Low cost, simple, fast Requires stability analysis, exposure to anchors/trawls
Post-lay trenching 0.5-2 m Protects pipe, reduces stability requirements Additional cost, trenching equipment, backfill stability
Pre-lay trenching 1-3 m Pipe lowered into trench, immediate cover Trench must remain open, higher cost
Jetting/plowing 0.5-1.5 m Simultaneous lay and bury, cost-effective Limited to soft soils, shallow burial depth
HDD/Direct pipe 3-30 m Deep burial, no surface disturbance Very high cost, limited to crossings

Buoyancy During Construction

Critical phase: pipeline may float during flooding before burial or anchoring:

Construction Sequence (Offshore): 1. Pipelay: Pipeline laid on seabed by lay barge - Initially filled with air (buoyant) - Held down by lay tension and pipe stiffness 2. Flooding: After lay complete, flood with seawater - Buoyancy eliminated - Requires venting air through pig launchers/receivers 3. Trenching/Stabilization: - Trench and bury OR - Install rock dumping/mattresses OR - Allow self-burial (soft seabeds) Critical risk period: Between lay and flooding/stabilization - Weather/current limits for lay operations - Emergency anchoring plan if weather deteriorates - Temporary weights or anchors for extended periods

Long-Term Stability Considerations

  • Scour: Seabed erosion around pipe exposes more area to currents, increases hydrodynamic forces, reduces soil restraint
  • Spanning: Pipe bridges over local depressions, creating free spans subject to vortex-induced vibration (VIV)
  • Liquefaction: Seismic or storm-induced soil liquefaction eliminates soil support temporarily
  • Coating degradation: Concrete coating can degrade over decades, reducing submerged weight
  • Marine growth: Barnacles and biological growth increase drag coefficient and projected area

Monitoring and Inspection

Verify stability and detect changes over pipeline life:

Method Frequency Detects
ROV survey (offshore) Annual or post-storm Spans, scour, coating damage, lateral movement
Multibeam sonar Baseline + 5-year Burial depth, seabed changes, large-scale scour
Aerial survey (river crossings) After high-flow events Exposure, bank erosion, anchor displacement
Cathodic protection monitoring Annual Coating damage (increased current demand indicates coating breach)
Design philosophy: Combine weight coating for baseline negative buoyancy with mechanical anchoring at critical locations (high points, strong currents, scour-prone areas). Design for worst-case: empty pipe, maximum current, 100-year storm conditions.

Case Study: River Crossing Buoyancy Failure

Incident Description: 16" natural gas pipeline, HDD installation under river Design: 1.5" concrete coating, calculated W_sub = -8 lb/ft (SF = 1.15) Construction: Pipe pulled through 24" HDD bore Failure Sequence: Day 1: Successful pullback, pipe in bore Day 3: Heavy rain, river flood stage +8 ft above normal Day 5: Bore collapse, annular space opens to river Day 7: Pipeline floats to surface in middle of river Root Causes: 1. Bore annulus filled with river water (not drilling mud as designed) 2. Buoyancy increased due to higher external water level 3. Bore collapse allowed lateral movement 4. Insufficient concrete coating for full-submersion scenario Lessons Learned: - Design for full external water pressure even in HDD bores - Increase SF to 1.3-1.5 for HDD under water bodies - Post-installation verification (pressure monitoring, survey) - Contingency plan for bore collapse: grout annulus, add rock berms Corrective Action: - Excavate exposed pipe - Add 1" additional concrete coating (2.5" total) - Re-install in stabilized bore with pressure grouting - Monitor annular pressure permanently

Frequently Asked Questions

What principle governs pipeline buoyancy?

Pipeline buoyancy is governed by Archimedes' principle, where the buoyant force equals the weight of water displaced by the submerged pipeline.

How is pipeline buoyancy controlled for submerged pipelines?

Buoyancy is controlled through weight coating design and anchoring systems to ensure the pipeline remains stable on the seabed or riverbed.

What code governs submerged pipeline buoyancy analysis?

Submerged pipeline stability analysis is performed per ASME B31.8, which provides requirements for buoyancy control and negative buoyancy margins.