Safety Evaluation of the Pipelines Systems for Petroleum Products

Abstract:

The methods of assessment of the limit state of failure of the pipelines from transport systems are characterized by high safety factors. The current trend is that by more accurate calculation methods, structured on several levels and based on the information about the factors involved in the evaluation process (material characteristics, pipeline thickness, operating pressure and their range of variation, the precision of the used investigation method, the security class of pipeline) these safety factors may be reduced. The mentioned aspects can be found in many papers and in the recent versions of standards DNV RP 579 and API 101. The paper shows the importance of considering the defect position to reduce the level of conservatism of the method of evaluation. This is possible in the modern methods of inspection which indicates the position of the defect. Based on the results of an inspection we can calculate the probability of failure of a pipeline and it can be an indicator of pipeline safety instead of the actual indicator expressed by the number of defects per km established by the operator or by the third parties. Any inspection of a pipeline has to be followed by a maintenance program based on available information. In this case, even if we have to emit certain assumptions and approximations (such as neglecting the interaction between the defects), the repairs of a pipeline may be indicated at the right time to maintain the safety in the operation.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 371)
• Pages: 782-786
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.371.782
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Mihail Minescu, Ion Pană
• Keywords: Failure Probability of the Pipelines, Maintenance Program, Reliability of the Pipelines, Safety Indicators

References

[1] G. Zecheru, M. Neacsu, I. Lata , The Probabilistic Conception of the Pipeline Defect Acceptance Charts, Fracture mechanics – Bulletin ARMR 17 (2005) 31-36.

[2] G. Zecheru, I. Lata, Experimental Research of the Influence of Metal Loss Defects on the Bursting Pressure of Pipelines, The Works of the Fifteenth National Fracture Mechanics Symposium , Sibiu Romania, 2009, pp.95-106.

[3] F. Caleyo, J.L. Gonzales, J.M. Hallen, A Study of the Reliability Assessment Methodology for Pipelines with Active Corrosion Defects, Int. J. Pres. Vessels and Piping. 79 (2002) 77-86.

DOI: 10.1016/s0308-0161(01)00124-7

[4] H. Adib-Ramezani, J. Jeong, G. Pluvinage, Structural Integrity Evaluation of X52 Gas Pipes Subjected to External Corrosion Defects using the SINTAP Procedure, International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping. 83 (2006) 420–432.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpvp.2006.02.023

[5] S. X. Li, S.R. Yu, H.L. Zeng, J.H. Li, R. Liang, Predicting Corrosion Remaining Life of Underground Pipelines with a Mechanically-Based Probabilistic Model, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 65 (2009) 162–166.

DOI: 10.1016/j.petrol.2008.12.023

[6] M.G. Stewart, R.E. Melchers, Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Engineering Systems, Chapman & Hall, London, (1997).

[7] Z. Mustaffa, P. Gelder, A Review and Probabilistic Analysis of Limit State Functions of Corroded Pipelines, Proceedings of the Twentieth (2010), International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference Beijing, China, 2010, pp.626-632.

[8] A.P. Teixeira, C.G. Soaresa, T.A. Nettob, S.F. Estefen, Reliability of Pipelines with Corrosion Defects, International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping. 85 (2008) 228–237.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpvp.2007.09.002

[9] T.A. Netto, U.S. Ferraz, S.F. Estefen, The Effect of Corrosion Defects on the Burst Pressure of Pipelines, Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 61 (2005) 1185–1204.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcsr.2005.02.010

[10] O.H. Bjornoy, M.J. Marley, Assessment of Corroded Pipelines: Past, Present and Future, Proceedings of the Eleventh (2001), International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Stavanger, Norway, 2001, pp.93-101.

[11] D. Leon, O.F. Macias, Effect of Spatial Correlation on The Failure Probability of Pipelines under Corrosion, International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping. 82 (2005) 123–128.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpvp.2004.07.018

[12] M.D. Pandey, Probabilistic Models for Condition Assessment of Oil and Gas Pipelines, NDT & E International. Vol. 31, 5 (1998) 349-358.

DOI: 10.1016/s0963-8695(98)00003-6

[13] M. Ahammed, Probabilistic estimation of remaining life of a pipeline in the presence of active corrosion defects, International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping. 75 (1998) 321-329.

DOI: 10.1016/s0308-0161(98)00006-4