Both small and large US operators are devoting time and resources to validate the integrity of their pipelines and assess any potential impact on US Department of Transportation-defined HCAs (high consequence area). Speeding up this process are new pipeline safety rules from the US OPS (Office of Pipeline Safety). Now, all pipeline operators that transport hazardous liquid products over long distances must implement an integrity management program including periodic inspection, testing, and integration of information related to pipeline integrity. As a result, determining potential impact on HCAs has become a priority for many operators. The goal is to test points along the pipeline, determine any sections that could adversely affect an HCA, then create a structured, defined way to maintain the pipeline.The first step involves performing baseline assessments for each stretch of pipeline. Then, these assessments must be analyzed against a series of data sets as set forth by OPS to determine how each stretch of pipeline would affect an HCA in the event of a release. These data sets include high-population areas, other populated areas, commercially navigable waterways, and both drinking water and ecological unusually sensitive areas. As with any complicated analysis, operators need a thorough yet straightforward process for testing and validating the integrity of their pipelines. This article will discuss a comprehensive process for amassing the necessary data and inputs through use of a GPS (geographic information system) model for terrestrial spill analysis; how to perform an internal validation of these results; and the role that technology can play to increase the effectiveness and speed of HCA analysis.
Modeling pipeline spill determines impact on HCAs
Mit Hilfe eines Leckagemodells bei Pipelines soll der Umwelteinfluss der austretenden Flüssigkeit auf umweltsensible Gebiete bestimmt werden
Oil and Gas Journal ; 101 , 12 ; 72-77
2003
6 Seiten, 5 Bilder
Article (Journal)
English
Pipeline , Leck , Umweltschutz , Umweltrisikoanalyse , Erdöl , Ökologie
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