Abstract
The 22″ Alberta Oilsands Pipeline transports synthetic crude oil from Syncrude Canada Limited in Fort McMurray to Edmonton, Alberta. The pipeline crosses the House River approximately 100 kilometers south of Fort McMurray.</jats:p> <jats:p>The slope has been monitored since 1991 by three slope indicators. A finite element stress analysis indicated that total ground movement since installation in 1977 could correspond to pipeline compressive strains in excess of 0.32%, a level of risk unacceptable to the pipeline owner.</jats:p> <jats:p>A probability-based model was developed to determine cost and benefit of risk mitigation options. Parameters such as soil movement and pipe strain were input as probability distributions. The mitigation options included: reduce slope instability; reduce pipe stress; reduce pipe-to-soil interaction; implement long term monitoring; determine current pipe strain level (to decrease data uncertainty); do nothing.</jats:p> <jats:p>A Monte Carlo simulation was used to establish probability of failure and probable cost distributions for each option. The results were presented as a combined cost of failure and mitigation over 10 years.</jats:p> <jats:p>The analysis indicated that the optimum solution was to remove the existing soil traction loading on the pipe and mitigate long-term slope movement. The decision was made to relieve the pipe strain by excavating. Current pipe strain was measured in situ using residual strain measurement. Long term strain gauges were installed. Slope mitigation was deferred until the strain gauges indicate total pipeline strain levels approaching 0.32%.
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Published on 01/01/2000
Volume 2000, 2000
DOI: 10.1115/ipc2000-142
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA license
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