Geo-Hydrodynamic Risk Management: Villano-Baeza Pipeline System

Abstract

The main areas susceptible to the occurrence of landslides, which imply a threat against the pipeline system, are identified, mapped and classified according to their degree of danger, for which the kinematics of each landslide is considered its intensity and probability of occurrence. In a second phase, detailed geological, geotechnical and geophysical investigations of the main landslides, both active and potential, are carried out. A monitoring program of the unstable slopes through inclinometers, piezometers, strain-gauges, crack meters is carried out in order to determine the degree of activity of the landslides. Among the monitoring techniques, PCM (Pipeline Current Mapper) has been incorporated. Additionally, a record and analysis of trigger factors such as rainfall and seismic activity is carried out. As an additional control system, periodic review of multi-temporal satellite images has been incorporated, which provides a macro vision of the evolution of geodynamic, hydrodynamic and anthropic processes that could affect the integrity of the pipeline any time. Of importance for management is the work of preventive maintenance of the Right of Way, trying to identify and manage the geodynamic processes in a timely manner, before they become uncontrollable. As a result, we have an Oil Pipeline System that has not suffered any rupture, and without consequently oil spills, in more than 21 years of operation.