Risk analysis of natural gas pipeline: case study of a generic pipeline

This paper introduce concepts of risk analysis and report a study carried out in generic section of pipeline that transports natural gas. In particular, we calculated the reconstruction of local risk. Before proceeding with the calculation of the risk area was necessary to make preliminary studies: the breaking point of a line segment, influence of weather conditions. This analysis of a generic section highlights that the risk associated with pipelines is not negligible as it is believed that an event is acceptable when the frequency of occurrence is less than 10-6 event/km*years. If you consider that the most frequent incidental cause is due of external interference, such as the wrong use of excavating machines, the risk can be reduced of the 50%. Then applying a careful policy of job control and greater information between the agencies and industries involved, the local risk can be strongly contained.