Enhancement of risk based integrity management of energy pipelines

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The proposed project is aimed at improving the risk-based maintenance of the structural integrity of pressurized steel transmission pipelines. The specific objectives of the research are to 1) develop probabilistic models to characterize the growth of metal-loss corrosion defects on pressurized steel transmission pipelines based on defect information obtained from multiple inline inspections, 2) provide historical-based failure probability estimations for pipelines due to major integrity threats, and 3) investigate optimal maintenance strategies for pipelines by simultaneously considering reliability, risk and maintenance costs. The research will be carried out over a period of three years under the support of TransCanada and NSERC, and will involve the training of two MESc students and four PhD students. The MESc students will analyze the historical pipeline failure incident data in the United States and Canada. The PhD students will develop probabilistic models for the growth of the depth and length of corrosion defects on pipelines by incorporating in the growth model the spatial correlations of the defects on pipelines as well as properties of the surrounding soils and pipe steels. The PhD students will also carry out multi-objective optimizations of the pipeline maintenances by taking into account the reliability, risk and cost of maintenance. The research outcome will allow TransCanada and the Canadian pipeline industry to more effectively manage the integrity of transmission pipeline networks, and contribute to the long-term prosperity of the Canadian society. The proposed project further offers a unique training opportunity for the graduate students involved in that they will develop excellent technical skills by carrying out state-of-the-art research of high practical relevance, and gain valuable practical experience and knowledge by interacting with experienced pipeline integrity engineers on a regular basis. This training will enable them to become the next-generation stewards of the Canadian pipeline networks.