Safety system of Natural gas pipeline
Contents
¾ Introduction
¾ Natural gas pipeline system
¾ Statistics and causes of accident from pipeline system
¾ Harm from the rupture and leak of gas pipeline
¾ The benefit of natural gas pipeline transportation
¾ Conclusion
Introduction
For the past 150 years, natural gas has been playing a vital role in all aspects of
development especially the use of natural gas to replace coal and oil. Due to its
distinct property of natural gas which differs from other types of petroleum fuel,
the natural gas has been well accepted as the energy of choice for today and future.
Because the world needs not only the energy that drives the economy but the energy
that also protects the environment.
The natural gas provides heat and light; it is used as a fuel for power generation,
transportation, industry, agriculture and starting raw material for petrochemical
industry and also in the cooling system.
Trend of energy consumption in
Thailand between 2008-2021
The illustration shows the trend of
natural gas usage which is on a rise
for the next 10 years; while the
energy consumption grows at a rate
of 5% CAGR (Compound Annual
Growth Rate). Natural gas will be
the choice of energy as representing
growth rate 6% per annum during the
year 2008-2021.
The three main factors contributing
to such phenomenon are increasing
oil price, clean and environmental
friendly of natural gas and advanced
technology of the natural gas. As a
result, the access to natural gas usage
has no longer been limited to the
countries away from the field.
The key reasons why natural gas has stepped
up to be a mainstream energy resource of the
century are due to the followings.
It is a petroleum fuel with highest
efficiency, clean burning.
It minimizes the greenhouse effect
which is a cause of global warming.
It is safe to use.
It is relatively cheaper than other
petroleum-based fuels such as oil,
fuel oil and LPG.
It can add value and drive economy
of the country.
Most of natural gas is locally
produced.
N
Natural g pipeeline systtem
gas
Thee demand foor natural gas
g keeps riising while the producction is
limiited. As naatural gas combustible
c e, flammab ble and expplosive,
handing of fuelfu requirees utmost care with highly effficient
trannsportation system
s and least loss during
d transsit. Therefoore, the
trannsportation n via pipeliine is the most
m suitabble as its effficient
and has been developed
d c
continuouslyy. Most of all, it is sepparated
fromm mass trannsportation.
Natuural gas pippeline systeem evolvedd in 900 BC C. It was reecorded
thatt the Chinesse used the bamboo
b cyllinder to tran
nsport naturral gas.
In thhe United States,
S the first
f recoverry of naturaal gas was in 1816
or 192
1 years aggo. The gas is used to liight up the road in Balttimore,
Marryland Statee. Later, a success
s of more gas discovery
d heeralded
an era
e of activve pipeline constructionn, especiallly during a period
of 1920
1 until the
t Second World Waar in 1939. Today the natural
gas pipeline sttretches oveer a distancce of one million
m kiloometers
arouund the woorld; half off which is in i the Uniteed States anda one
fourrth is in Weestern Europpe.
In Thailand,
T thhe pipeline system
s has been
b in use for over 255 years.
Thee Petroleum m Authorityy of Thailannd or PTT Public Coompany
Lim
mited was asssigned to layl a 425 km m-pipeline from Erawan Gas
Fielld to come ashore at Rayong.
R Thhe onshore gas
g laid aloong the
maiin road is extended to the customers c e.g. Bangppakong
Commbined Cyccle Power Plant and other industries. The pipe’s
diam
meter variess in accordaance with thhe sale volum me. At pressent the
pipeeline in Thaailand coverrs a distancee of over 3,1
100 kilometters.
Thrroughout thet networrk, the pip peline full of naturall gas is
readdy to delivver the gas around th
he clock. Method
M of sending
s
gas from high her to low
wer pressure is applied as thee gas is
deliivered throough the pipe
p with a diameter from 4-422 inches
opeerating at 200-1870 psi or 1440 times over norm mal air
pressure. As the pipelline runs through agricultura
a al area,
mmunity area, alongg highway, the distu
com urbance froom the
thirrd party maay cause th
he accident and dangeer.
Statistics and causes of accident from pipeline system
PTT has placed a high priority on
safety in operating the natural gas
pipeline system. In every step, PTT The probable cause of accidents
stipulates the minimum required safety 1. From the pipeline: The accident
practices starting from planning, of the pipeline may come from a
design, construction, operation and chemical reaction resulting in
maintenance in order to ensure the internal corrosion as the natural
confidence and highest safety of gas has sulfur dioxide or sour
community and society. gas. The external corrosion
results from defects of coating
From data collection regarding material and cathodic protection
accident from the natural gas pipeline, method.
the main cause of rupture and leak of
the pipeline is by the third party. As a 2. From the third party: For
result, it is necessary for concerned instance, the pillar drill or the use
parties to learn the information, of heavy machine to hammer
properties, benefit and harm as well as and/or dig the ground where the
the correct procedure. pipeline is buried may disturb the
pipe.
3. From natural disaster: For
instance, the severe earthquake
and the land subsidence can
cause serious damage to the pipe.
PTT has collected data on pipeline
accident and found that since the
commencement of the natural gas
pipeline during a 25 year period
(1981-2006), there is no serious
accident causing death or injury.
Most of accidents are caused by third
party or external factors. For each
accident, immediate action always
took place to solve the problem.
Harm from the rupture and
leak of gas pipeline
Natural gas is flammable, colorless, odorless and non-
toxic. However, during natural gas transportation or
separation process, natural gas in pipeline may contain
heavy hydrocarbons e.g. hexane, pentane, and others. Or
in case of sour gas, which contain sulfur, may cause some
smell, beside the adding odorant to warn the consumers if
pipe leak. The leak or rupture of the pipe will lead to the
following conditions:
Smell / lack of oxygen When the pipe is leaked, the gas
will disperse in the air, which can cause dizziness for
people who inhale. For people inhaling natural gas for a
long time, they must be evacuated to get clean air and
receive artificial respiration and be sent to hospital.
According to the safety standard of natural gas, the
odorant must be added in the gas to allow people to detect
in case of leaks. In principle, the odorant must not change
the quality of the gas. Typically, Mercaptan which smells
like a rotten egg is added in the gas.
Noise the National Environmental Board specifies the
noise quality standard in the announcement of National
Environmental Board No.15 (BE2450) that it shall not
exceed 70 decibels. When the pipe leaks with high
pressure, people should be evacuated to prevent their
hearing affected.
Pressure As the pipe contains high-pressured gas; it can
cause accident to the people who stay near to the pipe or
the high pressured gas directly comes into contact and
may cause injury or death.
Heat and fire The chance of flammability of the gas is
slim when leaked by force majeure as the pipe is buried
deeply underground. In addition, the block valves and
other equipments are located in the open space. The
chance of natural gas leak and flammability depends on
factors below:
Flash point 1880C
Flammability range 5-15% of the air content
Self-ignition temperature 537-5400C
Flammability ratio (air:gas) 10:1
The pipe natural gas may cause any harm; therefore after
the backfill the pipeline sign must be marked with the
telephone number of PTT to inform the incident which is
the preliminary measure for the joint collaboration in
using energy with safety and efficiency.
Cessation of an accident
The pipeline system in Thailand covering a
distance over 3,000 kilometers running from the
Gulf of Thailand, onshore field in Khonkean What public should practice in an
and Udornthani as well as Yadana and Yetagun accident of pipeline rupture, leak
from Myanmar laid on seabed, along the or burst
highway, under the high voltage line, forest
area, communities, agricultural area, the 1. Evacuate the people and proceed
industrial estate, to bring gas from underground to windward area.
to be fully utilized for the utmost benefit. 2. Do not drive into the vapor cloud.
The pipeline in every area is under close safety 3. Eliminate the ignition sources or
measure supervision. The Block Valve station is heat which will cause ignition
established to control gas flow of every including starting an engine and
network. The Safety officers are assigned to switching lights on or off.
work 24 hours. Also each network is under 4. Immediately call PTT phone
control of the operation center specifically number as stated in the marker
designated for the operations. All of them are sign, provide the personnel with
centrally controlled by Chonburi Operations the information on detailed
Center, Chonburi Province. location and type of leak.
Nevertheless, for maximum security and safety
of the pipeline, PTT has prepared an emergency
response plan as a practice guideline to
minimize the damage for people, community,
and environment as well as to resume to the
normal condition as fast as possible.
INSURANCE
PTT make legally - required
insurance for life, property of
the third party affecting from
the accident caused by PTT’s
operation for 50 million US$
per each accident. The
compensation is based on the
status of damage.
The benefit of natural gas pipeline transportation
The transportation applies the means of transmitting gas from higher pressure
to lower pressure.
1. Pipelines are the most efficient and reliable way to transport energy products,
and reduce loss of the energy during transportation.
2. Extremely safe due to the international standard procedure of operation and
maintenance.
3. No consequence to the environment and community after the construction
- The gas temperature in the pipeline is the same as the soil around the pipe.
- The flow of the gas from underground pipeline is noiseless and does not
disturb the community.
- The pipeline can reduce traffic of the normal transportation.
4. The pipeline brings down the investment cost for industries using natural gas
in the long term as it requires no storage (no tankage to store the fuel is
necessary).
5. The pipeline can continuously transport a large volume of the gas.
Conclusion
Generally, it has been accepted that However, the gas in the pipe is
transporting natural gas through pipeline is flammable and explosive; there is
one of the safest and most reliable modes thus a chance for accident like other
due to the long intensive development for modes of transportation. The
over a century. By pipeline, the gas is accident record of the pipeline
unlikely to lose during transportation and somewhat shows a least risk factor
able to delivered in a large volume. The of exposing to a serious harm or
transmission is convenient and speedy. death. As it is noticeable that most
Most of all, the pipeline helps reduce causes of accident of pipeline are
traffic problem, road accidents as well as derived from the third party damage,
air pollution because the entire system is the public and concerned party should
isolated from mass transportation modes. thus involve in looking after the
pipeline, which are the public property
In addition, in running the system, the to be in a perfect condition for
priority has been placed on the people and operation as well as strictly follow the
community. The standard design, the safety rules.
service of the pipe, the maintenance have
been well planned in order to ensure the
efficient operations with maximum safety.
If found the natural gas pipeline leaked or damage,
please call PTT to report at 0-3827-4399
or 1800-555-666 (from TOT telephone) and 1410-555-666 (from cell phone).
