Challenges to the integrity of old pipelines buried in stable ground

Challenges to the integrity of old pipelines buried in stable ground

Type	Journal Article
Author	Jose Luis Otegui
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350630714001393
Volume	42
Pages	311-323
Publication	Engineering Failure Analysis
Date	July 2014
Abstract	Provides a succinct description of the conditions that led to failures and damage of buried pipelines. Author takes into account the characteristics of soil, demographic evolution, original construction standards and procedures, and specific damage conditions based in case histories. His purpose is to contribute in orienting the efforts by operators and regulation bodies so as to efficiently increase the reliability of onshore buried pipelines. The author has been involved in many pipelines failure analyses. These include 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 14–36 in. Construction dates of most of these pipes range from around 1960 to around 1980. Particular cases discussed are: • Old pipelines in stable ground • 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