ABSTRACT
Landslides, fault movement, erosion, liquefaction, and other permanent ground displacement (PGD) along or across pipeline alignments are the most important seismic hazards for welded steel pipelines. A summary of the methodology used to mitigate these geotechnical hazards on oil and gas pipeline projects is presented in this chapter. The main ingredients of pipeline geohazard mitigation include geohazard assessment, pipe–soil interaction analysis, strain-based design criteria, and weld strength and quality. The major problems arise from compressed schedules, which do not allow for the incorporation of this work.
The chapter begins with recommendations for managing and coordinating geohazard mitigation within the context of preliminary and final project engineering phases of oil and gas projects, along with proposed methodologies to avoid or minimize the impact of geohazard-related design and construction problems. The need for perceptive project planning is highlighted, especially as it relates to pipeline routing through potentially hazardous areas and interaction with government agencies, regulators, investors, and other third-party groups.
