International Pipeline Conference & Expo
Dates: September 23 -27, 2024 (conference) | September 24 -26, 2024 (expo)
Booth #: 202
Location: BMO Centre at Stampede Park| Calgary, Alberta
Website: https://www.ipceyyc.com/
Presentations and Papers
Performance-Based Seismic Assessment for Pipelines and Related Midstream Facilities
by Kenny T. Farrow, PhD, PE, PEng
The safety and reliability of pipelines and piping components for any infrastructure network is crucial, particularly in regions prone to seismic activity. Since midstream facilities play a key role in the energy supply and water conveyance chains, safeguarding these assets from earthquakes is paramount as the consequence of failure can be devastating, leading to, for example, possible immediate loss of life at facilities or complete loss of water supply across municipalities. Particularly, in a worse case scenario, the complete loss of water supply would have significant knock-on effects in cases where that water is required for post-earthquake response and recovery (e.g., firefighting, medical, sanitation, industrial cooling, potable water, etc.)
Seismic events pose unique challenges for pipelines and facility piping systems. Unlike buildings or bridges, pipelines are elongated structures that traverse diverse terrains, making their response to ground motion complex and site-specific. Furthermore, these systems often span long distances, passing through different geological conditions and interacting with various structures. Performance-based seismic assessment addresses these challenges by moving beyond the traditional “life safety only” approach, which focuses solely on preventing collapse using traditional seismic assessments that rely on prescriptive codes and standards, to consider the functionality of the system after an earthquake. The ever-evolving field of earthquake engineering has paved the way for the use of this more sophisticated approach. Performance-based seismic design is particularly relevant for pipelines and facility piping, where continued operation is critical even in the aftermath of a seismic event. This methodology also addresses the fact that damaged sustained by pipeline assets may not be easily distinguishable and will require screening and triage based on measured ground shaking and observed condition of the asset.
Performance-based seismic design methodology offers a comprehensive understanding of the behavior and resiliency of pipelines and facility piping systems under seismic ground shaking, allowing for a more accurate evaluation of their performance and required post-earthquake mitigations. This work summarizes a performance-based approach with distinct levels of assessment, ranging from visual inspection-level screening to detailed assessments based on site-specific response measurements (e.g., accelerometers, fiber optics), that facilitate quick interpretation and execution of pipeline asset mitigation strategies, as required.
FFS Approach to Assessment of Vibrations Caused by Compressor/Pump Pulsations
by Lawrence M. Matta, Lyle Breaux, Gyorgy Szasz
Vibrations in pipeline systems often result from the periodic flow from pumps and compressors, known as pulsations. Due to similarities in the prime movers, pulsations are problematic in both liquid and gas systems. While typically not an issue in long, constant diameter runs of pipeline, pulsation induced vibrations can occur in main transportation lines as well as in supporting systems throughout pumping/compression and treatment facilities.
Standards like API 618 and API 674 are used to provide guidance for predictive analysis to reduce the likelihood of pulsation induced vibrations from occurring. Predictive vibration modeling is very useful for planning purposes, but occasionally surprises occur. The analysis can be sensitive to factors that are not fully known in the design stage. Once in service, facilities may change, equipment may be added, flow rates may be increased, or fluid compositions and temperatures may vary. As a result, pulsation driven vibrations may occur despite predictive analysis.
For operating systems where vibration and pulsation amplitudes can be measured, it is more appropriate to use a FFS (Fitness for Service) approach to determine if mitigations are required and the success of any applied mitigations. While this approach is more involved, it may remove excess conservatism, leading to reduced overall costs.
