Challenges to integrity of old pipelines, the Argentine experience

JOSÉ LUIS OTEGUI; P. G. FAZZINI; J. BOOMAN; C. MANFREDI

CABA

Congreso; 2 Congreso de Integridad en Instalaciones en el Upstream y Downstream de Petróleo y Gas, IAPG, .; 2014

IAPG

In this article we give a succinct description of the particular conditions that have led to failures and damage of buried pipelines in Argentina, taking into account the particular characteristics of soil, demographic evolution, original construction  standards and procedures, and specific damage conditions based in case histories. The purpose of this article is to contribute in orienting the efforts by operators and regulation bodies in order to efficiently increase the reliability of onshore buried pipelines. The authors have been involved in many failure analyses involving pipelines in this country, some of the latest being related to explosions involving natural gas pipelines and related equipment. The purpose of this article is to contribute in orienting the efforts by operators and regulation bodies in order to efficiently increase the reliability of onshore buried pipelines. The authors have been involved in many failure analyses involving pipelines in this country, some of the latest being related to explosions involving natural gas pipelines and related equipment. The purpose of this article is to contribute in orienting the efforts by operators and regulation bodies in order to efficiently increase the reliability of onshore buried pipelines. The authors have been involved in many failure analyses involving pipelines in this country, some of the latest being related to explosions involving natural gas pipelines and related equipment. The Argentine high-pressure oil and gas transmission pipeline system includes more than 40,000 km of buried piping. Diameters range from less than 14 to 36 inches. Construction dates of most of these pipes range from around 1960 to around 1980.  Particular cases discussed are: The Argentine high-pressure oil and gas transmission pipeline system includes more than 40,000 km of buried piping. Diameters range from less than 14 to 36 inches. Construction dates of most of these pipes range from around 1960 to around 1980.  Particular cases discussed are: The Argentine high-pressure oil and gas transmission pipeline system includes more than 40,000 km of buried piping. Diameters range from less than 14 to 36 inches. Construction dates of most of these pipes range from around 1960 to around 1980.  Particular cases discussed are: Old pipelines in stable grounds Failures by SCC in buried pipelines Dealing with low-frequency ERW seam pipe Unknown materials and historical conditions of operation Integrity of old repairs Influence of demographic changes along right of ways