An assesment of the reliability of an old pipeline system with respect to corrosion based on structural reliability calculations.  The work involved developing a model for corrosion failure of low toughness pipe, using statistical data to develop probability distributions for pipe parameters and corrosion severity, and using the results to calculate the probability of failure due to corrosion as a function of time.

For more information on the project contact: Qishi Chen, Director, Pipelines & Structures

This project involved the development of a set of guidelines for reliability based design and assessment of onshore natural gas pipelines.  The guidelines define a specific process that can be used by a pipeline engineer to estimate reliability.  They also define a set of target reliability levels against which the calculated values can be evaluated.  The project also involved an extensive communication effort to inform the industry of the approach and promote its adoption in pipeline codes of practice.

This project involved the development of a set of guidelines for reliability based design and assessment of onshore natural gas pipelines.  The guidelines define a specific process that can be used by a pipeline engineer to estimate reliability.  They also define a set of target reliability levels against which the calculated values can be evaluated.  The project also involved an extensive communication effort to inform the industry of the approach and promote its adoption in pipeline codes of practice.

Existing methods for calculating multi-phase fluid flow through an orifice were reviewed and evaluated to select a model to characterize the discharge of oil, gas and water mixture from gathering pipelines.  The selected model was implemented in PIRAMID.

For more information on the project contact: Qishi Chen, Director, Pipelines & Structures
tel. (780) 450-8989 x215

A probabilistic approach was developed to assess the reliability of exposed river crossings due to third-party activities and natural hazards.  The approach considers pipeline failures due to denting, puncture, local buckling, and yielding related to bending and axial tension.

For more information on the project contact: Qishi Chen, Director, Pipelines & Structures
tel. (780) 450-8989 x215

Conventional and emerging leak detection methods were modeled in a risk analysis to assess the potential impact on the operating risk of 21 oil, gas and product pipelines. Recommendations for leak detection requirements were developed based on risk analysis results.

For more information on the project contact: Qishi Chen, Director, Pipelines & Structures
tel. (780) 450-8989 x215

The purpose of this project was to improve the fault tree model for prevention effectiveness previously developed by C-FER, through incorporating new prevention technologies and improving the characterization of conventional prevention methods.  A new fault tree model was developed and applied to selected cases to demonstrate its application in maintenance planning and risk analysis.

For more information on the project contact: Qishi Chen, Director, Pipelines & Structures
tel. (780) 450-8989 x215

The purpose of this project is to develop guidelines for the evaluation of the load capacity of pressurized pre-1970 normal to shallow-buried pipelines under static and cyclic surface loads resulting from construction equipment and activities.  The governing design conditions addressed in determining the load capacity are failures of girth and seam welds under axial or hoop stresses.  A set of guidelines defining safe construction activities around these pipelines are developed.

Fault tree method was applied to nine leading failure causes of gas and liquid pipelines to identify critical integrity management tasks performed by pipeline companies.  These tasks were used by the B31Q committee to develop qualification requirements for pipeline operators.

For more information on the project contact: Qishi Chen, Director, Pipelines & Structures
tel. (780) 450-8989 x215

The purpose of this project is to develop a plan and a road map for the development of a reliability-based design methodology for arctic pipelines.  The project considers all relevant loading types, but focuses on frost heave and thaw settlement.  The plan is based on a summary of the state-of-the-art produced by C-FER and a workshop held with participation from the client's experts.