Failures of Pipelines

2021 ◽  
pp. 531-556
Author(s):  
A. Hudgins ◽  
C. Roepke ◽  
B. James ◽  
B. Kondori ◽  
B. Whitley
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Degradation Mechanisms ◽  
Transmission Pipeline ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Pipeline Failure ◽  
Pipeline Failures

Abstract This article discusses the failure analysis of several steel transmission pipeline failures, describes the causes and characteristics of specific pipeline failure modes, and introduces pipeline failure prevention and integrity management practices and methodologies. In addition, it covers the use of transmission pipeline in North America, discusses the procedures in pipeline failure analysis investigation, and provides a brief background on the most commonly observed pipeline flaws and degradation mechanisms. A case study related to hydrogen cracking and a hard spot is also presented.

What Do Pipelines and Airplanes Have in Common?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Limon ◽  
David W. Hoeppner ◽  
Paul N. Clark ◽  
Jerzy Komorowski
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Safety Concern ◽  
The United States ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Great Success ◽  
Degradation Mechanisms ◽  
Safety And Reliability ◽  
Integrity Management

In 1958, General Curtis E. LeMay established the structural integrity program for the United States Air Force (USAF). Since then, the USAF has been honing the requirements for extending the service life, durability, and safety of aircraft. These requirements have evolved to include Damage Tolerance principles that encompass the design and the management of aircraft with the objective of reducing maintenance burdens and ensure structural integrity for airworthiness, safety, and mission capability. Recently, requirements of some agencies and companies include Holistic Life Structural Integrity Process (HOLSIP) and concepts aimed at improving the early prediction and detection of structural discontinuities that can pose a safety concern. HOLSIP is intended to reduce the inspection & maintenance cycle while identifying prevention and mitigative measures to be employed. This holistic methodology addresses the total life of components and related issues. It is a physics based approach that incorporates the interaction of known possible degradation mechanisms and their potential failure modes. It provides the basis for analytical, experimental and procedural methods to make structural integrity predictions of components from the design, manufacturing, commissioning, maintenance and inspection intervals that would meet the desired level of safety and reliability. Non-destructive evaluation methods are incorporated in this approach as well. As part of continuing to ensure the safety and reliability of pipelines systems, the energy pipeline industry performs periodic risk assessments and maintenance activities and can enhance current integrity management programs by adopting HOLSIP principles and framework. In the early 2000s, pipeline industry associations and government regulators published a risk assessment based process for prioritizing pipeline segments for inspection and remediation. These processes have been formally integrated into an Integrity Management Program (IMP). By incorporating risk assessments and periodic inspections as part of the IMP, energy pipeline operators have achieved great success in removing damage that can pose an immediate or short-term safety concern to the public, environment and piping facilities. However, in-service pipeline failures continue to occur suggesting that the treatment of integrity threats, degradation mechanisms and failure modes is still fragmented. There needs to be a strong sense of wholeness in the approach to managing pipeline integrity. The absence of this can lead to unnecessary inspections and assessments, early pipeline retirements, over conservative assumptions or worse, further in-service accidents. As energy pipelines around the world continue to age and their safe performance is expected to increase, the need for HOLSIP becomes more apparent. This paper provides an overview of the fundamental principles and concepts of a holistic approach developed for maintaining aircraft fleets and how they apply to structural integrity engineering assessments for pipelines. A comparison with the current pipeline integrity management practices and regulations is highlighted.

Updated Estimates of Frequencies of Pipeline Failures Caused by Geohazards

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Porter ◽  
Gerald Ferris ◽  
Mark Leir ◽  
Miguel Leach ◽  
Mario Haderspock
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Failure Frequency ◽  
The Us ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Annual Frequency ◽  
Pipeline Failure ◽  
Pipeline Failures ◽  
Transmission Pipelines

This paper provides an updated compilation of geohazard-related pipeline failure frequencies for onshore hydrocarbon gathering and transmission pipelines, with a particular emphasis on the analysis of data from Western Europe, Western Canada, the US, and South America. The results will be of interest to owners, operators, regulators and insurers who wish to calibrate estimates of geohazard failure frequency and risk on planned and operating pipelines, particularly for pipelines traversing mountainous terrain. It concludes with an estimate of the global annual frequency of failures caused by geohazards on hydrocarbon gathering and transmission pipelines, and postulates that this failure frequency should continue to decline when measured on a per kilometer basis due to ongoing improvements in geohazard recognition, routing and design of new pipelines, and improvements to integrity management practices for operating pipelines.

Failure Analysis Case Study of a 1.5 Meter Space Flex Harness

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erick Kim ◽  
Kamjou Mansour ◽  
Gil Garteiz ◽  
Javeck Verdugo ◽  
Ryan Ross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Air Stream ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Temperature Controlled ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Failure Site

Abstract This paper presents the failure analysis on a 1.5m flex harness for a space flight instrument that exhibited two failure modes: global isolation resistances between all adjacent traces measured tens of milliohm and lower resistance on the order of 1 kiloohm was observed on several pins. It shows a novel method using a temperature controlled air stream while monitoring isolation resistance to identify a general area of interest of a low isolation resistance failure. The paper explains how isolation resistance measurements were taken and details the steps taken in both destructive and non-destructive analyses. In theory, infrared hotspot could have been completed along the length of the flex harness to locate the failure site. However, with a field of view of approximately 5 x 5 cm, this technique would have been time prohibitive.

Probability of Uncontrolled External Leakage During the Production Phase of a Subsea Well

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
André L. R. Alves ◽  
T. A. Netto
Keyword(s):  
Failure Modes ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Component Reliability ◽  
Production Phase ◽  
Distribution Parameters ◽  
Common Cause Failures ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Closed Position ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This work presents a methodology for evaluating the uncontrolled external leakage probability of a subsea well during the production phase. Based on a barrier diagram, an algorithm for possible leak path identification is proposed, considering different operation modes: gas lift operation, free-flowing, or well closed at the subsea Christmas tree. Considering the equivalency between these paths and the minimum cut sets from a fault tree modeling, the uncontrolled external leakage probability is calculated using the upper bound approximation. The effect of common cause failures is considered for the failure mode fail-to-close-valve. The instantaneous availability function of each component is considered. Non-repairable, repairable, and periodically tested items are used. Probability distribution parameters are estimated in order to make a case study. The failure rate functions determined are used as input for the proposed model, regarding the following failure modes: fail-to-close, external-leakage, and internal-leakage at the closed position. Finally, failure probability results and sensitivity analysis are demonstrated for a base case study. Parameters like time between tests, inspections, and component reliability are varied in order to identify the impact on the uncontrolled external leakage probability. The main objective of the proposed methodology is to support decision-making on the well integrity management system during the production phase of a subsea well. To this end, actual and reliable input data should be considered.

Vulnerability of Buried Pipelines to Landslides

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Ferris ◽  
Sarah Newton ◽  
Michael Porter
Keyword(s):  
Ground Movement ◽  
Buried Pipelines ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Vulnerability Model ◽  
Cause Of Failure ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Pipeline Failure ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Pipeline Failures ◽  
Landslide Movement

The movement of a mass of rock, debris or earth down a slope is a landslide, which in the pipeline industry is often referred to as ground movement. Landslides continue to cause pipeline failures throughout the industry, sometimes as the singular cause of failure and in others cases as a contributing factor to failures (such as stress corrosion cracking on slopes). Landslides can originate on slopes above a pipeline and cause impact loads; they can originate below a pipeline and cause unintended spans; and they can encompass the ground crossed by a pipeline, which can lead to high compressive (or tensile) strains and pipeline buckling. This paper focuses on the latter scenario. Similar to the approach recently outlined for watercourses [1], the term ‘vulnerability’ refers to the conditional probability of pipeline failure given that landslide movement spatially impacts a pipeline. This paper presents the development of a statistical and judgment-based vulnerability model for pipeline crossings of slopes that are subject to landslides that can be used to rank the relative importance of slopes at a screening level of assessment. The model is based on case histories where this type of landslide scenario caused pipeline failures (defined as holes, leaks and ruptures), or buckling of pipelines that resulted in the need for immediate repairs. Vulnerability has two main uses: on its own to help prioritize large numbers of slope crossings for further investigation; and, once combined with estimates of the probability of landslide movement, to provide a probability of pipeline failure estimate that can be used to guide integrity management programs.

scholarly journals A Data-Driven Approach to Extend Failure Analysis: A Framework Development and a Case Study on a Hydroelectric Power Plant

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 6400
Author(s):  
Sara Antomarioni ◽  
Marjorie Maria Bellinello ◽  
Maurizio Bevilacqua ◽  
Filippo Emanuele Ciarapica ◽  
Renan Favarão da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Hydroelectric Power Plant ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
Data Driven Approach

Power plants are required to supply the electric demand efficiently, and appropriate failure analysis is necessary for ensuring their reliability. This paper proposes a framework to extend the failure analysis: indeed, the outcomes traditionally carried out through techniques such as the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) are elaborated through data-driven methods. In detail, the Association Rule Mining (ARM) is applied in order to define the relationships among failure modes and related characteristics that are likely to occur concurrently. The Social Network Analysis (SNA) is then used to represent and analyze these relationships. The main novelty of this work is represented by support in the maintenance management process based not only on the traditional failure analysis but also on a data-driven approach. Moreover, the visual representation of the results provides valuable support in terms of comprehension of the context to implement appropriate actions. The proposed approach is applied to the case study of a hydroelectric power plant, using real-life data.

Gas Transmission Pipeline Safety and Integrity Activities and Results for INGAA Pipeline Companies

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Boss ◽  
J. Kevin Wison ◽  
Charlie Childs ◽  
Bernie Selig
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Mandated Reporting ◽  
Pipeline Systems ◽  
Natural Gas Transmission ◽  
Transmission Pipeline ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Pipeline Safety ◽  
Transmission Pipelines

Interstate natural gas transmission pipelines have performed some standardized integrity management processes since the inception of ASME B3.18 in 1942. These standardized practices have been always preceded by new technology and individual company efforts to improve processes. These standardized practices have improved through the decades through newer consensus standard editions and the adoption of pipeline safety regulations (49 CFR Part 192). The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act which added to the list of these improved practices was passed at the end of 2002 and has been recently reaffirmed in January of 2012. The law applies to natural gas transmission pipeline companies and mandates additional practices that the pipeline operators must conduct to ensure the safety and integrity of natural gas pipelines with specific safety programs. Central to the 2002 Act is the requirement that pipeline operators implement an Integrity Management Program (IMP), which among other things requires operators to identify so-called High Consequence Areas (HCAs) on their systems, conduct risk analyses of these areas, and perform baseline integrity assessments and reassessments of each HCA, according to a prescribed schedule and using prescribed methods. The 2002 Act formalized, expanded and standardized the Integrity Management (IM) practices that individual operators had been conducting on their pipeline systems. The recently passed 2012 Pipeline Safety Act has expanded this effort to include measures to improve the integrity of the total transmission pipeline system. In December 2010, INGAA launched a voluntary initiative to enhance pipeline safety and communicate the results to stakeholders. The efforts are focused on analyzing data that measures the effectiveness of safety and integrity practices, detects successful practices, identifies opportunities for improvement, and further focuses our safety performance by developing an even more effective integrity management process. During 2011, a group chartered under the Integrity Management Continuous Improvement initiative(IMCI) identified information that may be useful in understanding the safety progress of the INGAA membership as they implemented their programs that were composed of the traditional safety practices under DOT Part 192, the PHMSA IMP regulations that were codified in 2004 and the individual operator voluntary programs. The paper provides a snapshot, above and beyond the typical PHMSA mandated reporting, of the results from the data collected and analyzed from this integrity management activity on 185,000 miles of natural gas transmission pipelines operated by interstate natural gas transmission pipelines. Natural gas transmission pipeline companies have made significant strides to improve their systems and the integrity and safety of their pipelines in and beyond HCAs. Our findings indicate that over the course of the data gathering period, pipeline operators’ efforts are shown to be effective and are resulting in improved pipeline integrity. Since the inception of the IMP and the expanded voluntary IM programs, the probability of leaks in the interstate natural gas transmission pipeline system continues on a downward slope, and the number of critical repairs being made to pipe segments that are being reassessed under integrity programs, both mandated and voluntary, are decreasing dramatically. Even with this progress, INGAA members committed in 2011 to embarking on a multi-year effort to expand the width and depth of integrity management practices on the interstate natural gas transmission pipeline systems. A key component of that extensive effort is to design metrics to measure the effectiveness to achieve the goals of that program. As such, this report documents the performance baseline before the implementation of the future program.

scholarly journals Case study of pipeline failure analysis from two automated vacuum collection system

2021 ◽  
Vol 126 ◽  
pp. 643-651
Author(s):  
J.A. Farré ◽  
R. Salgado-Pizarro ◽  
M. Martín ◽  
G. Zsembinszki ◽  
J. Gasia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Collection System ◽  
Pipeline Failure

scholarly journals Life Prediction of Crude Oil Pipeline to Mitigate Leakages: A Case Study of an NPDC Major Pipeline in OML30, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Freedom Ifowodo ◽  
Chinedum Ogonna Mgbemena ◽  
Christopher Okechukwu Izelu
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Internal Corrosion ◽  
Oil Pipeline ◽  
Oil And Gas Field ◽  
Pipeline Failure ◽  
Pipeline Failures ◽  
Major Pipeline

Abstract Pipeline leak or failure is a dreaded event in the oil and gas industries. Top events such as catastrophes and multiple fatalities have occurred in the past due to pipeline leak or failure especially when loss of contents was met with fire incidents. It is therefore imperative that the causes of pipeline failure are tackled to prevent or mitigate leak incidents. This is expedient to curb the menace that goes with leak incidents, such as destruction of the environment and ecosystem; loss of assets, finance, lives and property; dangers to workers and personnel, production downtime, litigation and dent to company’s reputation. This work focuses on the investigation of the actual cause of sudden pipeline failures and frequent pipeline leaks that often result to sectional pipeline replacement before the expiration of their anticipated life cycle in OML30 oil and gas field. The pipeline material selected, the standard of the minimum wall thickness of the material, the corrosive nature of the pipeline content and the observed internal corrosion rate were probed. An analysis of the rate of thinning and diminution of the internal wall of the pipeline by monitoring the interior rate of corrosion was used to forecast the remaining life of a crude oil pipeline and predict the life expectancy of a newly replaced or installed pipeline or installed pipeline.

Commercial Walk-Behind Lawn Mower Failure Analysis Case Study

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis B. Brickman
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Accident Prevention ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Random Event ◽  
Lawn Mower ◽  
Rotating Blade ◽  
Design Proposal

Abstract A failure modes and effects testing program was conducted to analyze the cause of a mid-size commercial walk-behind lawn mower accident in which the operator’s foot came in contact with the rotating blade. Systematic analysis showed that the accident was caused by improper mower service and operator misuse of the mower. Testing results reveal that an alternative design proposal does not preclude this random event. Accident prevention countermeasures are explored.

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