Session: Session 6. Pipeline Integrity Management and Risk Assessment

Paper Number: 119506

119506 - Responses of Pipelines Impacted by Geohazards and Effective Integrity Management Strategies 

Geohazards are a major contributor to pipeline incidents. Numerous incidents attributable to geotechnical hazards are listed in the advisory bulletins from US DOT PHMSA. In addition to geohazards, hydrotechnical and seismic hazards can cause damage or loss of containment in pipelines.

Broadly speaking, a pipeline incident occurs when the demand on a pipeline segment exceeds its capacity. The demand is the loading imposed on the pipeline segment, while the capacity is the ability of the pipeline segment to resist the demand before an undesirable event, such as a leak or rupture, occurs. In the case of geohazard-imposed loading, the most relevant demand and capacity are in a pipeline’s longitudinal/axial direction.

This paper starts with a few real-world examples in which the outcomes of geohazards impacting pipelines were very different. Some of the key factors affecting the outcomes are highlighted. The paper then turns to possible failure modes and factors controlling those failure modes. The concepts of strain demand and strain capacity are then introduced.

Effective integrity management strategies on the basis of strain demand reduction and strain capacity enhancement are presented. These strategies are further divided and refined based on the characteristics of assets (e.g., in-service vs. new construction), the nature of threats, and availability and effectiveness of available tools.

Through analysis of real-world examples, it is demonstrated geohazards can be effectively managed using integrity management strategies. Even though some damages to pipelines are possible in an unforeseen severe geohazards event, a loss-of-containment can be prevented when sufficient resilience is built into pipelines.

Presenting Author: Yong-Yi Wang Center for Reliable Energy Systems, LLC

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Wang is a leading expert on the structural integrity of energy pipelines and piping systems, particularly welds and joints. He is recognized worldwide for his leadership in the development and implementation of fitness-for-service (FFS) assessment procedures and strain-based design and assessment (SBDA) technology. His work spans from fundamental research to code adoption of emerging technologies. He has been a primary contributor to the pipeline integrity programs of Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) and US DOT PHMSA.
Dr. Wang founded the Center for Reliable Energy Systems (CRES). CRES has been actively working with energy companies, regulators, and international research centers in the development and implementation of technology solutions in the design, materials, welding, inspection, and integrity management of energy pipelines.
Dr. Wang chairs the Strain-Based Design and Assessment track at the International Pipeline Conference (IPC) and Fracture Mechanics Subcommittee of the API Standard 1104 committee. Dr. Wang was/has been a member of the ASME B31.8 Section Committee (natural gas pipelines), the ASME B31.12 Section Committee (hydrogen piping and pipelines), and a contributing member of CSA Z662.
Dr. Wang has authored over 180 technical papers on pipeline integrity assessment, management of geohazards, fitness-for-service (FFS) assessment of anomalies (including corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, i.e., SCC, and mechanical damage), materials, welding, and fracture mechanics. He was the principal editor of three PVP volumes on fracture, fatigue, residual stress, and structural integrity of piping systems.