Industrial Example Transmission Pipelines

The transmission pipeline industry is an irreplaceable component of modern infrastructures. Pipelines have historically been the safest means of transporting natural gas and hazardous liquids. However, recent pipeline failures have heightened the awareness of transmission pipeline systems. In particular, in many parts of the world cities have grown and are now located close to pipeline systems that have been operating for decades [18]. 

There are many causes and contributors to pipeline failures. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety (RSPA/OPS) compiles data on pipeline accidents and their causes. Tables 12.4 to 12.6 summarize the results collected during a two-year period (2002 and 2003) for respectively, natural gas transmission and gathering, hazardous liquid transmission, and natural gas distribution. 

It is notable, in Tables 12.4 and 12.5, that corrosion was the most common cause (37 percent) of natural gas transmission and gathering pipeline incidents during that period, and the second most common cause (24 percent) of hazardous liquid pipeline incidents. During the same period over 60 percent of natural-gas distribution pipeline incidents were caused by outside forces (e.g., excavation by the operator or other parties, damage from natural forces, and the like) while only a small fraction (0.1 percent) of the property damage was attributed 

Reported Cause Number of Incidents % of Total Incidents Property Damages (k ) % of Total Damages Fatalities Injuries 

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