Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PDVSA N° TITULO
APROB. León Velasco DATE MAR.04 APROB. Ramón Arias DATE MAR.04
Index
1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 OBJETIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.1 American Petroleum Institute (API) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.2 American Society Of Mechanical Engineer (ASME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.3 Federal Construction Regulation (USA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.4 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.4 Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5.1 Consequence Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5.2 Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.3 Worst Credible Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.4 Hydrocarbon Piping Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.5 Protection Area of Public Works of the Hydrocarbon Pipings Systems . . 5
5.6 Maximum Security Protection Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.7 Safeguard Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.8 Controlled Protection Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.9 Safety Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.10 Right of Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6 PIPELINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6.2 Characteristics of a Pipeline System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
7 RISK ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
7.1 Release Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
7.2 Flow Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
7.3 Consequence Analysis Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
8 POPULATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
8.1 Population Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
8.2 Pipeline Segmentation for QRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
8.3 Sensitive Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
8.4 Probit Relationship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
9 FAILURE MECHANISMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
9.1 Failure by External Mechanical Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
9.2 Failure Data Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
RISK ENGINEERING MANUAL PDVSA IR–S–15
REVISION FECHA
STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR PIPELINES
PDVSA SYSTEMS RISK ANALYSIS 1 MAR.04
Página 2
Menú Principal Indice manual Indice norma
1 INTRODUCTION
Pipelines installations due to distinctive characteristics of their geographic
locations are particularly exposed to mechanical damages by some external
agents, as well as by potential failure of the material structures. The risk to third
parties, that such installations can present, depends on the type of product,
operation conditions (pressure, temperature), and type of failure in the material.
The criteria established in this guide are based on the consideration that the
design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of the equipment
are accomplished according to Petróleos de Venezuela S.A (PDVSA), standards
and procedures required for these installations.
2 OBJETIVE
This guide establishes the criteria that shall be applied in PDVSA pipelines and
asociated superficial equipment locations. The objective of this guide is to achieve
an appropriate level of protection to the persons and properties of third parties,
as well as to the surrounding environment against potential risks of catastrophic
events due to fire, explosion, and toxic release.
3 SCOPE
The scope of this standard covers pipelines used to transfer flammable or
combustible liquids, and/or flammable or toxic gases, in areas outside of process
facilities, warehouses, and distribution terminals. This section excludes
distribution systems for domestic and industrial gas in urban zones.
The requirements established by the laws, regulations, enactment’s, or current
official norms will prevail over all those established in this guide, except when this
guide exceed the requirements of those laws. In general, the guide is based on
technical application widely accepted in the industry at the national and
international level, for evaluating catastrophic risks in petroleum and
petrochemical installations, using PDVSA’s most up to date technology.
This guide shall be enforced for new PDVSA installations or expansions, and
major additions or modifications that are made to existing installations. Also, the
guide shall be utilized in the evaluation of the current risk level in existing
installations, with the objective of determining compliance with the risk tolerance
criteria established in PDVSA IR–S–02 document “Criterios para el Análisis
Cuantitativo de Riesgos”.
The present guide applies to pipelines that are installed above or under ground.
Excluded from it are marine pipelines, ground, air and marine transportation.
RISK ENGINEERING MANUAL PDVSA IR–S–15
REVISION FECHA
STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR PIPELINES
PDVSA SYSTEMS RISK ANALYSIS 1 MAR.04
Página 4
Menú Principal Indice manual Indice norma
4 REFERENCES
4.1 American Petroleum Institute (API)
RP 520 “Guide for Pressure Relieving and Depressurizing Systems”.
RP 750 “Management of Process Hazards”.
4.2 American Society Of Mechanical Engineer (ASME)
B31.4 “Liquid Transportation Systems for Hydrocarbons, Liquid
Petroleum Gas, Anhydrous Ammonia, and Alcohol”.
B 31.8 “Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems”.
4.3 Federal Construction Regulation (USA)
49 CFR Part 192 “Transportation of Natural Gas and Other Gases by Pipeline”.
49 CFR Part 193 “Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities: Federal Safety Standards”.
49 CFR Part 195 “Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline”.
4.4 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Code 58 “Storage and Handling of LPG”.
Code 59A “Std. for Production, Storage, and Handling of LNG”.
4.5 Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA)
IR–S–00 “Definiciones”.
IR–S–02 “Criterios para el Análisis Cuantitativo de Riesgos”.
IR–S–16 “Determinación de Zonas de Seguridad en Instalaciones
Industriales y Areas de Protección de Obra Pública”.
IR–M–01 “Separación entre Equipos e Instalaciones”.
IR–M–02 “Ubicación de Equipos e Instalaciones en Relación a
Terceros”.
90618.1.069 “Cruces de Autopistas y Ferroviarios”.
AK–212–O “Pipeline Trenching and Right of Way and Clean–Up”.
CPV–C–E–03000 “Ubicación del Gasoducto”.
CPV–C–E–04000 “Derechos de Paso y Desvío”.
5 DEFINITIONS
The definitions applicable to this guide can be found in the PDVSA IR–S–00
document “Definiciones”. Also additional definitions include:
5.1 Consequence Evaluation
The analysis of a location specific incident sequence usually involving a fire,
explosion, or release of toxic material. Consequence descriptions may be
qualitative or quantitative estimates of the effects of an incident in terms of factors
such as health impacts, economic loss, and environmental damage.
RISK ENGINEERING MANUAL PDVSA IR–S–15
REVISION FECHA
STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR PIPELINES
PDVSA SYSTEMS RISK ANALYSIS 1 MAR.04
Página 5
Menú Principal Indice manual Indice norma
6 PIPELINES
6.1 General
6.1.1 The decision to install pipelines underground or aboveground shall be
accompanied by a risk analysis of each particular situation based upon the
requirements established in this guideline. When third parties are involved,
considerations in PDVSA document IR–M–02 must be addressed.
6.1.2 Underground pipelines shall be installed according to the minimum established
depths in documents PDVSA AK–212–O and PDVSA 90618.1.069.
RISK ENGINEERING MANUAL PDVSA IR–S–15
REVISION FECHA
STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR PIPELINES
PDVSA SYSTEMS RISK ANALYSIS 1 MAR.04
Página 7
Menú Principal Indice manual Indice norma
6.1.3 To protect the piping systems against the intervention of third parties, the following
areas should be defined, according to PDVSA document IR–S–16:
– Maximum Security Protection Zone.
– Safeguard Zone.
– Controlled Protection Zone.
These areas shall be established by Decree – law in conformity with “Ley
Orgánica para la Ordenación del Territorio”.
Likewise, a Right of Way Zone shall be built to allow the operation and
maintenance of the piping system.
6.1.4 The zone mentioned in Paragraph 6.1.3 do not offer protection to third parties.
To this purpose it is necessary to establish a “Safety Zone”, which shall be
determined for each particular case, based on a quantitative risk analysis, which
will define the pipe installation, based on the requirements mentioned in this
document, with the purpose of obtain a “Acceptable Risk” level, as it is established
in the risk criteria of PDVSA Document IR–S–02.
6.1.5 The placing of block valves shall be provided according to the ASME B31.4 and
ASME B31.8 standards, but also must take into account the proximity to
population and/or sensitive resources, and the acceptable or reducible risk level
(see Section 7.3 for additional details).
7 RISK ANALYSIS
When pipeline accidents occur, they can result in property loss, fatalities, and
severe environmental damage. Typical causes of failure of buried pipelines
include material failure by corrosion and/or erosion, overpressurization and
ruptures/penetrations due to excavation or other causes.
RISK ENGINEERING MANUAL PDVSA IR–S–15
REVISION FECHA
STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR PIPELINES
PDVSA SYSTEMS RISK ANALYSIS 1 MAR.04
Página 8
Menú Principal Indice manual Indice norma
In all PDVSA pipeline installations in which a risk to external third parties exists,
a Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) shall be performed. Where appropriate, the
QRA shall include events involving thermal radiation, overpressure, toxic vapor
dispersion, and environmental effects as part of the evaluation.
The “Safety Zone” shall be defined in such as way that the thermal radiation, the
overpressure levels and/or the toxic dispersion reached along the pipe, will not
offer a risk higher than the “Acceptable Risk”, for population settlements,
highways and property of third parties in general, according to the allowance
criteria established in PDVSA Document IR–S–02.
In existing installations where the creation of short term secure zones at the
property limit is not possible for compliance with a minimum risk level, the risk level
established using the PDVSA tolerance criteria must be mitigated to achieve a risk
as low as practicable. In this particular case, extreme measures shall be taken to
prevent incidents through mitigation, especially for critical equipment that
presents high risk to third parties. Also, measures shall be taken to plan for
evacuation of third parties that can be potentially exposed.
The level of risk analysis required will depend on the issue that needs a Maximum
Safety Zone to be evaluated. If the issue is to determine the required separation
distance for the pipeline to another installation such as plants wells, power lines,
etc., then a Consequence Evaluation should be performed taking into account the
probable causes of the release. For third party societal or individual risk
determination, a QRA using a range of hole sizes (1/4”, 1” and full – bore)
representing a corrosion pit, a puncture leak and a major breakshould be
performed.
.
compressor is shut down (and/or isolation valves are closed). The steady–state
continuous flow will be determined by the compressor performance characteristic
and the pipeline resistance between the compressor and the break. In no case
can the flow exceed the maximum capacity of the compressor. The final phase
involves depressurization to atmospheric pressure. The duration of the final
depressurization phase will depend on the length of the pipeline between isolation
points, which defines the inventory. (see Section 7.3 for analysis of isolation). The
same situation is encountered with liquid pipelines in mountainous terrain where
a significant hydraulic gradient exists.
momentum of the jet release, causing it to entrain less air and increase its overall
dispersion hazard.
There is no single acknowledged approach for determining the size of a crater.
If one has estimated that the momentum of the initial discharge is sufficient to
remove the overburden, then one approach is to select several crater sizes and
test their effects on exit velocity and ultimate hazard distances. One can then use
the crater diameter which produces the set of maximum hazard distances as a
conservative estimate (Ref. 1).
Aboveground pipelines can be addressed in the same manner as piping systems
in facility based assessments, with the recognition that the diking and grading
commonly found in facilities is unlikely to be present. There will also frequently be
a much longer length of line to empty even after pumps are shut down and valves
are closed.
An important parameter in the characterization of the hazard zones associated
with a gas pipeline release is the variable escape rate of gas from the rupture,
puncture or corrosion pit. A larger release will quickly depressure the line, and as
the line pressure declines, the mass flow out of the opening will also be reduced.
Studies have been performed to determine how fast this happens, and show that
after a very short time (on the order of seconds) the outflow will drop to the normal
flow rate that can be sustained by the capacity of the installed compression
equipment. The duration of the initial release is determined by the time it takes for
the pressure wave to travel from the release location to the upstream compressor
or emergency shutdown ESD valve and back. The initial release is short and can
be characterized with a puff model. The next stage involves a continuous release
until shutdown and isolation of the pipeline segment is achieved. This release is
characterizes as a steady state jet.
The effect of having emergency shutdown (ESD) valves installed along the
pipeline is to define the allowable mass available (defined by distance between
closed ESD valves) for final blowdown. The closer the valve spacing, the less
mass available for release and the faster the pressure in the pipeline decreases.
The value of the ESD valves is to limit the time during which the blowdown rate
occurs once the valves are closed. Hence, the release at this point needs to be
characterized as a blowdown of a fixed mass of material.
Determining the appropriate spacing for ESD valves is an analysis unto itself. It
is ultimately based on the pipeline release duration that one is willing to accept at
a particular location along the pipeline route. For examples, the acceptable
release duration may be higher for less populated areas. The total release
duration will be comprised of the initial puff, the time for leak detection/isolation,
and the final blowdown. The two key time period assumptions are the leak
detection interval and the time requirement for final blowdown. The valve spacing
analysis should consider the most probable large hole size, coupled with a range
RISK ENGINEERING MANUAL PDVSA IR–S–15
REVISION FECHA
STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR PIPELINES
PDVSA SYSTEMS RISK ANALYSIS 1 MAR.04
Página 12
Menú Principal Indice manual Indice norma
8 POPULATION
8.1 Population Density
Population densities, also known as exposed population, are an important part of
a QRA for many reasons. A particular reason is that density is used to determine
the number of people affected by a given incident in a specific hazard area.
Population data can be available from different sources in different forms. Some
examples of data along sources a specified pipeline route are census reports,
detailed maps, zoning data, aerial or satellite photographs, videotapes of the
pipeline, or actual inspection of the pipeline by the analyst conducting the QRA.
(For information in how to obtain data see Section 4, Ref. 1).
In some case in the absence of specific population data, default categories can
be used. Representative densities can be assigned based on the actual data for
specific routes. In cases where densities are being assigned based on visual
inspections or with the aid of maps or aerial photographs, the categories should
be defined in terms of commercial and industrial development as well. For
example, ”suburban” might be expanded to include mixed commercial/residential
areas or moderately dense industrial areas.
The values presented in Table 1 shall only be referential. For specific siting and
QRA evaluations, the actual population location and density shall be used.
population distribution along a route, the analyst must consider the full bandwidth
of concern and how the population density varies over this distance. If there is an
unpopulated area to one side of the pipeline route, the density should be obtained
for the populated side only and an adjustment should be made on the other side.
However, this does not mean that the unpopulated areas along should be
completely ignored. There may also some other type of concerns that need to be
addressed and evaluated.
is likely to occur the analysis should considerate segments of pipeline routes that
are close to facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools. These
populations represent both sensitive receptors and individuals who cannot easily
be evacuated from a building.
9 FAILURE MECHANISMS
As indicated in Section 7 of this guideline, general pipeline failure modes include:
S External and internal corrosion.
S External mechanical interference.
S Failures caused by miscellaneous factors such as construction/material
defects, natural hazards or operator error.
Most pipeline failures are due to external interference.
Pipeline failures by third party activity shall be reduced by ensuring that members
of the public, landowners and utilities are always aware of the location of the
pipeline to provide adequate protection to the pipeline in areas where the risks
appear high. Generally, it would be expected that the rate per mile of third party
incidents shall be higher in populated areas. The installation operators shall put
in place procedures to ensure the safety of the people in a populated area
including the public awareness campaigns and increased wall thickness which
some pipeline standards require in populated areas.
Pipelines crossing other utility service lines (e.g., water/gas mains, phone lines,
etc.) have an increased potential for third party incidents. Pipelines shall always
have adequate protection (i.e., physical monitoring, shielding) in these cases so
that work on the services will not cause damage to the pipeline.
New installations must be located at a site of suitable size, topography, and
configuration so that the facility can be designed to minimize the hazards to third
parties and offsite property resulting from leaks and spills of product at the site.
In selecting a site each operator shall determine all site–related characteristics
which could jeopardize the integrity and security of the facility. A site must provide
ease of access so that personnel, equipment, and materials from offsite locations
can reach the site for fire fighting or controlling spill associated hazards or for
evacuation of personnel (Ref. 6).
11.2 Corrosion
An installation shall not be constructed, repaired, replaced, or significantly altered
until a qualified personnel reviews the applicable design drawings and material
specifications from a corrosion control viewpoint and determines that the material
involved will not impair the safety or reliability of the component or any associated
components. The repair, replacement, or significant alteration of components
must be reviewed only if the action to be taken involves a change in the original
material’s specification.
Buried pipe shall be coated to resist external corrosion, and provided with a
cathodic protection system. Each exposed component that is subject to
atmospheric corrosive attack shall be protected from atmospheric corrosion by a
material that has been designed and selected to resist the corrosive atmosphere
involved or by suitable coating or jacketing.
Cathodic protection systems are designed to reduce the likelyhood of external
corrosions. To work effectively, regular readings of pipe to soil potentials should
be carried out to ensure that rapid corrosion is not taking place locally. Particular
areas prone to corrosion are where other metallic services pass close to a pipeline
and could interfere with the workings of the cathodic protection system, leading
to accelerated corrosion. In these areas local bonding should be undertaken and
the conditions monitored. Other areas prone to corrosion are in areas where the
RISK ENGINEERING MANUAL PDVSA IR–S–15
REVISION FECHA
STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR PIPELINES
PDVSA SYSTEMS RISK ANALYSIS 1 MAR.04
Página 18
Menú Principal Indice manual Indice norma
pipeline is shielded from the cathodic protection currents. Cases with corrosion
where pipelines pass within steel sleeves (at crossings) have been so severe that
some international pipeline codes now preclude the use of steel sleeves.
11.3 Maintenance
High maintenance standards shall be required to ensure that a pipeline operates
safely. The as–built condition of a pipeline shall be able to be maintained almost
indefinitely by high quality maintenance. Regular inspection of the cathodic
protection system shall ensure good installation condition.
A preventive maintenance program shall be in place which includes a schedule
of written procedures for regular testing and inspection of facility systems and
equipment. Each component in service, including its support system, shall be
maintained in a condition that is compatible with its operation or safety purpose
by repair, replacement, or other means. Safety and fire protection equipment shall
be tested or inspected at intervals not exceeding 6 months. Maintenance activities
on fire control equipment shall be scheduled so that a minimum of equipment is
taken out of service at any one time and fire protection is not compromised. (Ref.
7).
12 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
1. American Institute of Chemical Engineers “Guidelines for Chemical
Transportation Risk Analysis”. New York, 1995.
2. Ejecutivo Nacional de la República de Venezuela “Ley Orgánica para la
Ordenación del Territorio”.
3. European Gas Pipeline Incident Data Group. “Gas Pipeline Incidents: A
Report of the European Gas Pipeline Incident Data Group.” Pipe and
Pipelines International, 1970–1988.
4. Jones, D.J.; “An Analysis of Repazable Incidents for Natural Gas
Transmission and Gathering Lines – 1970 through June 1984”. American
Gas Association; NG–18, Report No. 158, 1986.
5. Lees Frank.; “Failure of oil pipelines in Western Europe 1975–80” from
CONCAWE, Loss Prevention in the process industries, Second Edition,
Volume 2, 1996.