PR-350-164501-R01 Guidance for Assessing Buried Pipelines after a Ground Movement Event

The vast majority of buried pipelines are not designed to accommodate significant localized ground movement such as that caused by landslides, earthquakes, or subsidence/settlement. When such a ground movement event occurs along the right-of-way (ROW) of a buried pipeline, it is imperative that the pipeline operator determine whether the ground movement is a threat to pipeline integrity, in order to protect those responding to the event, those living near the affected ROW, and the environment.

This report provides guidance to pipeline operators responding to a ground movement event. This has been done via a structured response plan to guide the investigation and to ad-dress the unique conditions associated with such events. The response plan covers some criti-cal decisions after an event, such as whether the continued operation of the subject pipeline is advisable, and if so, whether a pressure reduction is beneficial.

This document has a related webinar.