Proactive Approaches to Geohazard Management

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Ruik Beyhaut
Keyword(s):  
Technological Development ◽  
Seismic Intensity ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Slope Instability ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Bending Strain ◽  
Actual Movement ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
External Forces

To control the threats from external forces, pipeline owners and operators require detailed information about their pipeline infrastructure and the environment surrounding that infrastructure. The contribution from geographic data is recognized as an increasingly important part of a complete integrity management program, particularly for the identification of geohazards. This is because geohazards are generally characterized by high spatial variability, are complex and difficult to quantify but may result in catastrophic failure of pipelines. In recent years we have seen widespread technological development surrounding the processes to capture information in order to deliver quantitative inputs for pipeline engineers, risk & geotechnical experts. International codes & best practices (e.g. AS 2885.1-2012) state that “Environmental impact assessment is not simply a vehicle to obtain regulatory approval, it is a critical element of the planning for design, construction and operation of the pipeline.” Furthermore, geohazards frequently develop during the service life of pipelines. Consequently, regulators recommend that assessments are conducted on an ongoing basis to identify all potential threats and implement mitigation measures. A process has been developed to create efficient and economical solutions for monitoring and assessing the significance of pipeline bending strain and whether actual movement has taken place. This process can make use of a variety of inputs including slope gradient, climate, groundwater conditions, slope instability, seismic intensity, and environmental impacts, and can provide important information in the determination of potential mitigations. This paper will review the benefits which can be gained from the implementation of integrated approaches to inform geohazard management.

Integrity Management for Steel Catenary Risers With Design Life of 30 Years

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Song ◽  
Chenteh Alan Yu ◽  
Yongming Cheng ◽  
Jing Hou
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Data ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Digital Model ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Steel Catenary Riser ◽  
Integrity Assessment ◽  
Design Life ◽  
Integrity Management

Abstract The riser is a critical element in a subsea production system for transporting hydrocarbons from the seafloor to the surface. The track record of existing riser systems worldwide has shown that risers tend to be designed conservatively to accommodate dynamic loads, strength and fatigue requirements, and corrosion/erosion provision needs. Among all the riser types, the steel catenary riser (SCR) is the most installed riser configuration for deepwater oil and gas production worldwide in the last two decades. This is mainly because of their simple configuration and relatively low manufacturing and installation cost. As riser technology advances, SCRs are designed to tackle more challenging environments and longer service lives. For the riser life extension applications, regulatory bodies prefer riser operations to be managed through an integrity management program, demonstrating that a robust framework with detailed records on the conditions of the risers is in place. This paper studies an integrity management program for SCRs with a 30-year design life in a harsh environment. The planned riser integrity management program is based on successful industry practice and the newly published riser integrity management standard API RP 2RIM [4]. It starts with a review of the riser design basis and as-built data, continuing with key field data measurement and production fluid sampling. A digital model, continuously calibrated with the measured data, is established to assess the integrity of the riser system. Key physical quantities are selected to monitor the structural health of the SCRs, including vessel motion measurement, measurement of SCR top hang-off angles and tensions, and full water column current measurement. The relationship between the measurement data and the riser strength and fatigue performance is established. Details of the riser integrity assessment in a digital model utilizing the measurement data are presented. The implemented proposed riser integrity management program is expected to provide a more focused and efficient method with a higher level of confidence in operating the SCRs during the design life and potentially beyond.

Corrosion Monitoring as an Integral Component of an Effective Corrosion Management Program

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen N. Bich ◽  
Eric Kubian
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Corrosion Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Device ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Monitoring Plan ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Corrosion Mechanisms

An effective pipeline integrity management program requires four components: a comprehensive understanding of corrosion mechanisms taking place in the pipeline, an effective corrosion mitigation plan responsive to the expected mechanisms, a monitoring plan to provide feedback to the corrosion mitigation plan and a selective inspection plan to validate the corrosion mechanisms and mitigation effectiveness and to confirm the pressure-containment capability of the pipeline. This paper describes several case studies where the use of a suitable corrosion monitoring device has led to an early warning of the lack of performance of the mitigation measures which, if left unchecked, could result in more severe corrosion and eventually, failure.

Case for Continuous Reassessment of Risk in Managing Pipeline Integrity

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Len ◽  
James Mihell ◽  
Keith Adams ◽  
Cameron Rout
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Assessment Plans ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Integrity Assessments

The practice of employing risk assessment as a tool for developing assessment plans has been universally accepted by gas and liquid pipeline operators. Risk management is a process that is inherent in the effective implementation of a pipeline integrity management program (IMP). In an IMP risk is used to accomplish the following activities: • Identifying potential threats and consequences to a pipeline; • Prioritizing integrity assessments; • Assessing the benefits derived from mitigating actions; • Determining the effectiveness of mitigation measures for identified threats; • Assigning preventative and mitigative measures to be implemented; • Assessing integrity re-assessment intervals; and • Determining effective use of resources. This paper endeavors to discuss the benefits of conducting ongoing risk assessments in support of overall pipeline integrity management.

The Role of Offshore Monitoring in an Effective Deepwater Riser Integrity Management Program

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany Goldsmith ◽  
Elizabeth Foyt ◽  
Madhu Hariharan
Keyword(s):  
Failure Modes ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Measured Data ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Deepwater Riser

As offshore field developments move into deeper water, one of the greatest challenges is in designing riser systems capable of overcoming the added risks of more severe environments, complicated well requirements and uncertainty of operating conditions. The failure of a primary riser component could lead to unacceptable consequences, including environmental damage, lost production and possible injury or loss of human life. Identification of the risks facing riser systems and management of these risks are essential to ensure that riser systems operate without failure. Operators have recognized the importance of installing instrumentation such as global positioning systems (GPS), vessel motion measurement packages, wind and wave sensors and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) units to monitor vessel motions and environmental conditions. Additionally, high precision monitoring equipment has been developed for capturing riser response. Measured data from these instruments allow an operator to determine when the limits of acceptable response, predicted by analysis or determined by physical limitations of the riser components, have been exceeded. Regular processing of measured data through automated routines ensures that integrity can be quickly assessed. This is particularly important following extreme events, such as a hurricane or loop current. High and medium alert levels are set for each parameter, based on design analysis and operating data. Measured data is compared with these alert levels, and when an alert level is reached, further response evaluation or inspection of the components in question is recommended. This paper will describe the role of offshore monitoring in an integrity management program and discuss the development of alert levels based on potential failure modes of the riser systems. The paper will further demonstrate how this process is key for an effective integrity management program for deepwater riser systems.

Integrity Management of Ground Movement Hazards

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Yi Wang ◽  
Don West ◽  
Douglas Dewar ◽  
Alex McKenzie-Johnson ◽  
Millan Sen
Keyword(s):  
Management Program ◽  
Ground Movement ◽  
Tensile Failure ◽  
Weld Strength ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Ground Movements ◽  
Decision Points ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Girth Welds

Ground movements, such as landslides and subsidence/settlement, can pose serious threats to pipeline integrity. The consequence of these incidents can be severe. In the absence of systematic integrity management, preventing and predicting incidents related to ground movements can be difficult. A ground movement management program can reduce the potential of those incidents. Some basic concepts and terms relevant to the management of ground movement hazards are introduced first. A ground movement management program may involve a long segment of a pipeline that may have a threat of failure in unknown locations. Identifying such locations and understanding the potential magnitude of the ground movement is often the starting point of a management program. In other cases, management activities may start after an event is known to have occurred. A sample response process is shown to illustrate key considerations and decision points after the evidence of an event is discovered. Such a process can involve fitness-for-service (FFS) assessment when appropriate information is available. The framework and key elements of FFS assessment are explained, including safety factors on strain capacity. The use of FFS assessment is illustrated through the assessment of tensile failure mode. Assessment models are introduced, including key factors affecting the outcome of an assessment. The unique features of girth welds in vintage pipelines are highlighted because the management of such pipelines is a high priority in North America and perhaps in other parts of the worlds. Common practice and appropriate considerations in a pipeline replacement program in areas of potential ground movement are highlighted. It is advisable to replace pipes with pipes of similar strength and stiffness so the strains can be distributed as broadly as possible. The chemical composition of pipe steels and the mechanical properties of the pipes should be such that the possibility of HAZ softening and weld strength undermatching is minimized. In addition, the benefits and cost of using the workmanship flaw acceptance criteria of API 1104 or equivalent standards in making repair and cutout decisions of vintage pipelines should be evaluated against the possible use of FFS assessment procedures. FFS assessment provides a quantifiable performance target which is not available through the workmanship criteria. However, necessary inputs to perform FFS assessment may not be readily available. Ongoing work intended to address some of the gaps is briefly described.

Testing of Acoustic Emission Technology to Detect Cracks and Corrosion in the Marine Environment

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (02) ◽  
pp. 106-110
Author(s):  
Ge Wang ◽  
Michael Lee ◽  
Chris Serratella ◽  
Stanley Botten ◽  
Sam Ternowchek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Emission ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Inspection Planning ◽  
Structural Degradation ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Acoustic Emission Technology

Real-time monitoring and detection of structural degradation helps in capturing the structural conditions of ships. The latest nondestructive testing (NDT) and sensor technologies will potentially be integrated into future generations of the structural integrity management program. This paper reports on a joint development project between Alaska Tanker Company, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), and MISTRAS. The pilot project examined the viability of acoustic emission technology as a screening tool for surveys and inspection planning. Specifically, testing took place on a 32-year-old double-hull Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) trade tanker. The test demonstrated the possibility of adapting this technology in the identification of critical spots on a tanker in order to target inspections. This targeting will focus surveys and inspections on suspected areas, thus increasing efficiency of detecting structural degradation. The test has the potential to introduce new inspection procedures as the project undertakes the first commercial testing of the latest acoustic emission technology during a tanker's voyage.

Implementing a Geohazard Integrity Management Program: Statistics and Lessons Learned Over 15 Years

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex J. Baumgard ◽  
Tara L. Coultish ◽  
Gerry W. Ferris
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Proactive Approach ◽  
Oil Pipelines ◽  
Pipeline Networks ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Pipeline Failures ◽  
Program Challenges

Over the last 15 years, BGC Engineering Inc. has developed and implemented a geohazards Integrity Management Program (IMP) with 12 major pipeline operators (consisting of gas and oil pipelines and of both gathering and transmission systems). Over this time, the program has been applied to the assessment of approximately 13,500 individual hydrotechnical and geotechnical geohazard sites spanning approximately 63,000 km of operating pipelines in Canada and the USA. Hydrotechnical (watercourse) and geotechnical (slope) hazards are the primary types of geohazards that have directly contributed to pipeline failures in Canada. As with all IMPs, the core objectives of a geohazard management system are to ensure a proactive approach that is repeatable and defensible. In order to meet these objectives, the program allows for varying levels of intensity of inspection and a recommended timescale for completion of actions to manage the identified geohazards in accordance with the degree of hazard that the site poses to the pipeline. In this way, the sites are managed in a proactive manner while remaining flexible to accommodate the most current conditions at each site. This paper will provide a background to the key components of the program related specifically to existing operating pipeline systems, present pertinent statistics on the occurrence of various types of geohazards based on the large dataset of inspections, and discuss some of the lessons learned in the form of program results and program challenges from implementing a geohazard integrity management system for a dozen operators with different ages of systems, complexity of pipeline networks, and in varied geographic settings.

A Spatio-Temporal Water Mains Integrity Management Program for California

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sathya Geetha Ganesan ◽  
Diego Martínez García ◽  
Juneseok Lee ◽  
Jonathan Keck ◽  
Paul Yang
Keyword(s):  
Management Program ◽  
Water Mains ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Spatio Temporal

scholarly journals Recent morphological evolution and slope instability in a hilly area of Piedmont (North Italy)

2000 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giannantonio Bottino ◽  
Giuseppe Mandrone ◽  
Daniela Torta ◽  
Bartolomeo Vigna
Keyword(s):  
Tectonic Evolution ◽  
Morphological Evolution ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Slope Instability ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Mass Movements ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Hilly Area ◽  
Causative Factors ◽  
The City

In the hilly area of Langa, which is situated to the south of the city of Alba between the Belbo and Bormida Valleys, the heavy rainfall and subsequent floods of 3-6 November 1994 triggered numerous landslides. The slides caused serious damage to residential areas and various types of infrastructure. Engineering geological, geomorphological, geotechnical, hydrogeological, and geophysical methods were applied to investigate the instabilities. Among hundreds of failures, most of them were planar slides and debris-mud flows. However, the numerous landslides directly connected to the event represent only a part of the large and varied types of phenomenon in this area. In fact, most of the recent landslides can be considered as reactivated older ones that were more-or-less quiescent. They intersect at the depth the marly basement and are directly connected to the recent geological and tectonic evolution of the area. The paper describes the mass movements and their causative factors. It also focuses on the hazards and risks associated with the instabilities, and their mitigation measures.

scholarly journals The 1755 earthquake in the Algarve (South of Portugal): what would happen nowadays?

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Tedim Pedrosa ◽  
J. Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Seismic Intensity ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
The North ◽  
Lisbon Earthquake ◽  
Moroccan Coast ◽  
Flooded Area ◽  
The One

Abstract. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, which reached a magnitude of 8.5, remains the most powerful and destructive to hit Europe so far. Within minutes, many lives were lost, populations displaced, livelihoods, homes and infrastructures were destroyed. Although frequently associated to the city of Lisbon, one of the most important European cities at the time, this earthquake caused similar damage and casualties, if not greater, in the southwest of the Algarve, where the seismic intensity was estimated at IX-X Mercalli Intensity Scale. Some time later a tsunami increased the number of victims and the amount of damage. In some locations the tsunami caused greater destruction than the earthquake itself. The tsunami hit both coasts of the North Atlantic; however, the more destructive damage occurred in the Portuguese coast, south from Lisbon, in the Gulf of Cadiz and in the Moroccan coast. The downtown of Lisbon was flooded by waves that reached a height of 6 m. The water flooded an area with an extension of around 250 m from the coast. In the Southwest part of Algarve the waves reached a height between 10 and 15 m and the flooded area was much larger. Through the analysis of recent research works on the assessment of the 1755 tsunami parameters and the interpretation of the more reliable historical documents, it is our intention to analyse the destructive power of the tsunami in the Algarve and delimit the flooded area. Using simple techniques of simulation it is our intention to assess the impacts nowadays of the occurrence of a tsunami similar to the one that hit the Algarve in 1755, which would probably affect a greater number of people, buildings and infrastructures. This assessment is an important instrument not only in terms of disaster preparedness but also for the integration of risk mitigation measures in land use planning.

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