A Risk Assessment Model for Pipelines Exposed to Geohazards

Abstract

Transredes S.A. currently operates over 5,500 km of natural gas and liquids pipelines throughout Bolivia. These traverse geologically active terrain, subject to earthquakes, floods and landslides. Construction of these pipelines dates as far back as 1955, with some currently operating under conditions not foreseen at design. A quantitative risk assessment procedure was developed to rank the threats to the pipelines and target locations exposed to the highest level of risk. The objective was to implement a systematic means of prioritizing capital and maintenance activities based on risk management principles. The procedure was implemented on the OSSA-1 pipeline as part of a pilot study. This paper describes the OSSA-1 Pilot Project, with emphasis on how risk assessment procedures were customized to address the pipeline’s elevated exposure to ‘geohazards’.