INDIVIDUAL RISK IN THE SYSTEM OF NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINES

Abstract

In the event of damage or leakage, pipeline infrastructure presents a potential threat to the environment. Despite an extremely low probability of such an event, pipeline operators must control all potential hazards that may occur in the event of an incident fracture or damage to a gas pipeline. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the risk presented by such a pipeline in populated areas is low or within the limits prescribed by law or specific requirements of the pipeline operator. Risk assessment can be obtained using appropriate analytical models which, based on physical relations, existing statistical databases, mechanistic and probabilistic approaches, and numerical simulations, allow quantitative assessment of the consequences of pipeline incidents and their estimated frequency. With regard to this it is important to ensure continued development of new approaches and risk assessment methodologies which must be based on local experience and pipeline characteristics, and represent constant upgrading of the existing model. Better integration of the model into local conditions increases the reliability of risk assessment. Based on analysis results it is then possible to determine whether the risk in a selected section of a pipeline route falls within the permissible values. If the risk is too high, it is necessary to identify the causes for this, and introduce additional protective measures to ensure that the level of risk in a selected pipeline section no longer exceeds the permissible values. Types of protective measures for the reduction of risks are widely known and used depending on the possible cause of pipeline damage.