Challenges and Risks associated with onshore pipelines.

J,L. OTEGUI; PABLO CIRIMELLO

CABA

Simposio; DNV GL PIPELINE DAY. IAPG.; 2017

Instituto Argentino del Petróleo y el Gas,

Asuccinct description of the particular conditions that have led to failures anddamage of buriedpipelines in Argentina and other Latin American countries is given in thisarticle. The particular characteristics of soil, demographic evolution,original construction standards and procedures, and specific damage conditionsbased in case histories, are taken into account. Thepurpose of this review is to contribute in orienting the efforts by operatorsandregulationbodies in order to efficiently increase the reliability of onshore buriedpipelines. Theauthors have been involved in many failure analyses involving pipelines in thiscountry, someof the latest being related to explosions involving natural gas pipelines andrelated equipment. TheArgentine high-pressure oil and gas transmission pipeline system includes more than40,000 km of buried piping. Diameters range from less than 14?36 in.Construction datesof most of these pipes range from around 1960 to around 1980. Particular cases discussedare:_ Oldpipelines in stable ground_ Failuresby SCC in buried pipelines_ Dealingwith low-frequency ERW seam pipe_ Unknownmaterials and historical conditions of operation_ Integrity of old repairs_ Soilinstabilities: measurement and modeling of soil-pipe interaction_ Lifeextension of Pipelines in instable soil _ Influence ofdemographic changes along right of ways