Arctic pipeline design, whether of a preliminary or detailed nature, usually involves many areas of specific expertise discussed earlier, plus the following general pipeline design issues. The following elements with the degree of detail depending on the project stage and level of information available at the time:

• Design basis definition.
• Safety strategy recommendations.
• Pipeline hydraulics and sizing.
• Initial selection of pipeline route.
• Geohazard analysis.
• Stability analysis and determination of weight coating and/or trenching requirements.
• Determination of wall thickness and steel grade using traditional or limit-state design criteria.
• Pipe spanning analysis and determination of pipe support needs.
• Upheaval buckling analysis and assessment.
• Fatigue and fracture mechanic assessment.
• Vortex Induced Vibration studies.
• Risk analysis studies.
• Leak detection system selection.
• Shore crossing studies to determine the most cost effective method to install the pipeline in dynamic regions.
• Pipeline installation studies to verify that multiple installation options can be maintained for the sake of competitiveness.
• Cost analyses.
• Preparation of material specifications.
• Preparation of construction specifications.
• Preparation of route drawings.
• Permit application support.
• Design reports.