Seismic risk assessment for oil and gas pipelines - Seismic Risk Analysis and Management of Civil Infrastructure Systems - page 677

25
Seismic risk assessment for oil
and gas pipelines
D. G. HONEGGER, D. G. Honegger Consulting,
USA and D. WIJEWICKREME, The University
of British Columbia, Canada
DOI : 10.1533/9780857098986.4.682
Abstract : Buried pipeline systems form a key part of global lifeline
infrastructure, and any signifi cant disruption to the performance of these
systems often translates into undesirable impacts on regional businesses,
economies, or the living conditions of citizens. This chapter addresses the
considerations associated with the seismic risk assessment of pipelines
providing transmission of natural gas or liquid hydrocarbons, and
pipelines that are part of a gas distribution system serving a region.
Particular reference is made with respect to philosophy, approaches, and
technologies adopted in designing and operating pipelines to minimize
pipeline damage during earthquakes.
Key words : pipeline, risk, soil-pipe interaction, performance goal.
25.1 Introduction
Quantifi cation of anticipated seismic hazards is a key consideration in
assessing performance of pipelines under seismic loading conditions. Evalu-
ation of the performance of pipeline systems under such hazards commonly
uses equations based on simplifi ed assumptions or sophisticated numerical
modeling techniques as described in guidelines dating back to the early
1980s (e.g., ASCE, 1984) and more recently updated (e.g., PRCI, 2009).
This chapter addresses the considerations associated with the seismic risk
assessment of pipelines providing point-to-point transmission of natural gas
or liquid hydrocarbons, and major distribution pipelines that are part of a
natural gas distribution system serving a region or local community. Liquid
hydrocarbons include a variety of products: crude oil, refi ned products such
as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, lubricating oil, and gas liquids such as
propane. For simplicity, hydrocarbon pipelines will be referred to as 'oil'
pipelines in this discussion. The scope of this discussion does not include
pipelines within facilities such as onshore drilling fi elds, offshore platforms,
refi neries, or major distribution facilities. The scope also does not include
smaller pipelines incorporated into a municipal distribution system, which
normally operate at lower pressures and are constructed of materials other
682