1 Copyright 2012 by ASME

Proceedings of the 2012 9th International Pipeline Conference

IPC2012
September 24-28, 2012, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
IPC2012-90501


INTEGRATION OF MONITORING AND INSPECTION SYSTEMS FOR GEOHAZARD
ASSESSMENT ON PIPELINES THAT CROSS AMAZONIAN JUNGLES AND THE
ANDES

John Malpartida Moya, Edward Francisco Oliveros Montes, Giancarlo Massucco De la Sota
Compaa Operadora de Gas del Amazonas, Engineering and Integrity Department
Lima, Per


ABSTRACT
As a part of the Integrity Management System,
TgP/COGA has identified the weather and outside forces as
main threats that increase the risk of the integrity of its
pipelines in jungle and mountains areas. In pipelines with
particular characteristics such as pipelines that cross the Andes
and the Amazonian jungle, this threat can cause even a greater
number of failures than other threats such as corrosion or third
party damage (TPD). Given this situation, the TgPs Pipeline
Integrity Management System has made a significant
development in the use and management of the information
provided by the various techniques of inspections and
monitoring of the pipeline and ROW. This article discusses the
various techniques and methodologies of monitoring that
allows to estimate the exposure of the pipelines to geohazards.
These techniques are, for soil monitoring: topographic
surveys (traditional and modern techniques of laser-detection
LIDAR), monitoring of stress and displacement of the soil by
fiber optics, inclinometers, piezometers and ROW geotechnical
inspection (land use, deforestation, etc). Pipeline monitoring:
in-line inspections (INS tool) and deformation monitoring
(strain gages). The soil/pipeline interaction model, developed
by finite elements technique, allows to estimate the pipeline
deformation and stress levels correlating the information of the
monitoring techniques listed above. All information is
supported into a Geographic Information System, which uses
APDM as database model, and which allows to integrate
information more efficiently with the goal of completing the
system risk assessment using a particular risk algorithm
developed and adapted to the reality of transportation systems
that cross amazonian jungles and the Andes.
By integrating these inspections and monitoring systems
as part of Pipeline Integrity Management, based on risk
assessments, the operator is able to act in advance to potential
critical events, mitigating and/or minimizing the occurrence of
failures. In this way the operator is able to optimize efforts to
preserve the integrity of the system and in addition minimize
personal, environmental and business impact.

INTRODUCTION
The hydrocarbon transmission system that belongs to
Transportadora de Gas del Per (TGP), comprise two parallel
pipelines: a natural gas (NG) pipeline, which runs from the
upstream facilities at Malvinas, in the Amazonian jungle of
Cusco-Peru, to a reception station at Lurn (south of Lima); and
a natural gas liquid (NGL) pipeline, which transports the
condensed liquids from Malvinas to Pisco, on the coast of Peru.
The right-of-way (ROW) crosses the Peruvian jungle with both
pipelines in its first 200 kilometres. It is very complicated
terrain where the soil movements are frequently due to heavy
rains. Figure 1 indicates the alignment of the ROW that, after
crossing the jungle, climbs over the Andes Mountains at an
elevation of 4827 masl, and descends steeply toward the coast
along the Pacific Ocean
The NGL pipeline is approximately 557 km long, and the
NG pipeline is approximately 731 km long. Along this route,
the NGL pipeline telescopes from a nominal pipe diameter of
14 to 10 inches and the larger NG pipeline telescopes from a
nominal pipe diameter of 32 to 24 to 18 inches. The NG
pipeline has a 24 inches loop of 105 km. Along their route both
pipelines cross the jungle in their first 200 kilometres, where
soil movements are frequent. Those movements increase in
rainy season.
On pipelines that cross amazonian jungles and the Andes,
the main concern about the pipeline integrity is the overload
caused by the soil movements. Geotechnical instability caused
or substantially contributed to three of four ruptures of our
NGL pipeline (KP 8+800 on December 2004, KP125+900 on
2 Copyright 2012 by ASME
March 2006, KP 200+800 on September 2005). The
geotechnical and geologic conditions were key factors in the
risk level of the system since the beginning of operation.


COAST MOUNTAINS JUNGLE
4827 m.a.s.l.

FIGURE 1: ALIGNMENT AND PROFILE OF THE CAMISEA
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.
Since 2006 TgP has performed specific geotechnical
stabilization measures additional to that performed during
construction and with a Pipeline Integrity Management System,
which has a special treatment for the geotechnical threat, it was
possible to reduce the risk and the incidence of ruptures in the
system.

SOIL MONITORING

Topographic Suveys

Once the weather and outside forces are identified as main
threat that increases the risk of the integrity of a pipeline, it is
very important to monitoring the behaviour of the soil in order
to evaluate any possible affects. A good methodology is to use
traditional topographic inspections of known survey points
over the right of way (RoW). This points are benchmarks over
the soil and control points over the structures in the RoW
(geotechnical works like gabions, channels, etc). These surveys
are performed frequently and the results are compared in order
to find any significant variation.

As a part of a continuous improvement, it is important to
analyze and evaluate the new techniques available. In that
sense, the LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensing
technique very useful in this matter.
LiDAR is an optical remote sensing technology that can
measure the distance to a target by illuminating the target with
light from a laser. It has multiple applications in different fields
(geology, geomorphology, seismology, forestry, geography,
among others). Figure 2 shows this technology to sensing the
soil topography with an airborne laser.

DIFFERENTIAL
GPS
GPS/INS
LIDAR Scanner

FIGURE 2: LiDAR AIRBORNE LASER
With this technique it is possible to perform different kind
of analysis:
- Detailed topography for engineering developments: pipeline
route evaluations, route identification, etc.
- Structures inventory
- Revegetation monitoring
- Soil movements
- Population growth
- Pipeline covering analysis. This is a very particular analysis
because it combines to different techniques: LiDAR and ILI
inspections (INS tool) (Figure 3). The use of ILI inspections
are detailed later in this document.

Marker Marker

FIGURE 3: LiDAR AND ILI INSPECTIONS TO EVALUATE
PIPELINE COVERING LEVELS
As a part of the evaluation of LiDAR technique, a test of its
precision was developed, comparing it against the traditional
topographic surveys. The LiDAR technique has proved to be
3 Copyright 2012 by ASME
very accurate and reveals more information than the traditional
method (contours, Digital Elevation Model, level of vegetation,
etc). See Figure 4.

DENSIDAD DE PUNTOS
LIDAR
KP 127+000
DENSIDAD DE PUNTOS
LIDAR
KP 127+000
POINTS DENSITY
TOPOGRPHIC SURVEY
KP 127+000
POINT DENSITY
LIDAR
KP 127+000

FIGURE 4: TRADITIONAL TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY VS
LIDAR SURVEY

In jungle, the main issues with the LiDAR technique are the
weather conditions and the vegetal coverage. The weather
reduces the time window available for the inspection. The
vegetal coverage reduces the points over soil that the technique
could give compared with mountain or coastal sectors. Despite
that, the quantity and quality of the information is very
acceptable for integrity purposes (precision of 20 cm on Z).


Geotechnical Fiber Optic

A new technique for sensing soil displacement is the use of
fiber optic technology. Its methodology consists of installing a
special fiber optic cable into the ground and sensing the
backscattered light from a laser source.


FIGURE 5: SPECTRUM OF THE BACKSCATTERED LIGHT
FROM A MONOCHROMATIC LASER SOURCE IN AN
OPTICAL FIBER.

From all the spectrum, the one of most interest is the
Brillouin scattering. It produces backscatter of lower intensity
than Rayleigh, but is directly related to local temperature and
strain conditions of the fiber (See Figure 5). The Brillouin
frequency shift (Hz) is directly proportional to the optic cable
strain (%) and temperature (C) [1]

This geotechnical fiber optic technology is a distributed
sensing technology, making this characteristic one of its best
advantages, because it is possible to sense the displacements in
the soil in a continuous way rather than specific points. Is is
possible to implement this sensing technique during operation,
using the communications fiber optic that is already installed
(as TgPs pipelines). In that case, it is only necessary install the
special geotechnical fiber optic cable in concern areas. The
monitoring is performed from the nearest Station as shown in
Figure 6.


FIGURE 6: GEOTECHNICAL FIBER OPTIC MONITORING
SYSTEM - BASIC CONFIGURATION


This system is capable to give information on real time, that
means a continuously monitoring stress and temperature of the
soil in difficult areas. Figure 7 presents strain data along a
length of fiber optic monitored pipeline.


FIGURE 7: SOIL STRESS MEASURED WITH FIBER OPTIC






Distance
4 Copyright 2012 by ASME
Other Geotechnical Instrumentation

Other types of instrumentations are also useful including
inclinometers and piezometers, rainfall monitoring, subsoil
explorations and seismic monitoring.

Inclinometers measure horizontal movement of soil at
discrete locations. In general, an inclinometer consists of two
parts: the casing and the measuring instrument. The casing
usually consists of specialized PVC pipe with four grooves or
tracks machined into the inner portion of the pipe. These
grooves serve to keep the instrument from twisting within the
casing. The casing is installed into the foundation soils in a
borehole. After that, a baseline reading is taken, to which all
subsequent readings will be compared. The instrument that
takes the readings is lowered into the casing. The instrument
takes readings of the tilt of the casing. Based on the tilt at each
point, the lateral movement of the casing is calculated. By
means of that, Inclinometers show the sliding plane and the
quantity of movement, in other words they not only show how
much movement is occurring, they also show the depth nd
directions at which the movement is occurring.

Piezometers measure the pore pressure within the soil. The
reaction of the pore pressure to fill placement provides an
indication of stability and expected soil movement. This data
can be use to predict any critical soil movement.

Keep the rainfall recorder over the right of way is very
important. With this information the operator can developed
precise statistics of rain. That is very important on the design of
geotechnical works because it is known that the rain in the
initiating factor in the most of the geotechnical events.

Among the subsoil explorations there are: vertical electrical
sounding (VES), standard penetration tests (SPT), geophysical
line, etc.

Maintain a record of all the earthquakes is also very
important. It has to be taken into account their magnitude,
intensity, geographical coordinates of the epicentre, depth,
distance to facilities and date and hour of the occurrence. In
order to complement this information, it is sometimes necessary
to install seismometers along the route of the right of way.

PIPELINE MONITORING

In-Line Inspections

There are two types of tools that gives some information
that could mean an issue related to weather and outside forces
threat: Deformation Tool and INS/GPS tool.

Deformation Tool, also known as calliper tool, gives
information about the geometry of the pipeline. It reports where
the pipe has dents, wrinkles, or ovalizations. These indications
could be a hint of a geotechnical issue. The ILI report is
checked against other reports in order to verify the possible
reason of the indications reported.

INS/GPS Tool gives even more information, not only the
location of the pipeline but the deformations of the pipeline
inferred from it position.

INS/GPS tool information analysis
Any pipeline can be subjected to a tensional state that might
cause strains. There are two main components of the strains
that act over the pipe wall:
- Longitudinal strain component (parallel to pipeline axis).
- Hoop strain component, caused mainly by the internal
pressure.

Longitudinal strains produced by tension that exceeds the
strain capacity of the pipeline may cause ruptures. Longitudinal
strain produced by compression may cause wrinkles or
undulations, and if they exceed the strain capacity of the
pipeline, they can cause failures. At the same time, longitudinal
strains (both by tension or compression) present two
components: normal and bending:

- The normal subcomponent of the longitudinal strain is
constant in all the transversal section of the pipeline. It is
caused by internal pressure, temperature variations, external
loads and mainly by the interaction between soil and
pipeline in a soil movement parallel to the pipeline axis.

- The bending subcomponent of the longitudinal strain is not
uniform in the transversal section of the pipeline because
the bending loads causes compression at one side and
tension in the other side of the section. The bending
component prevails in those cases where the pipeline
crosses steep areas with lateral loads.

INS tool allows identify only the bending component of the
longitudinal strain.

INS Strain Calculus Methodology
INS inspection is based on the identification of areas where the
pipeline is subjected to strain by bending and which value (c)
exceeds to 0.1% in more than one pipe, this is because strain by
bending due to external forces changes gradually and it extends
in more than one pipe in contrast to field bends (abrupt change
and only one pipe).
The bending subcomponent of longitudinal strain (c), measured
by the in-line inspection tool INS/GPS, can be determined
from bending strain measured at two points of the pipeline
transversal section: vertical strain (c
v
) and horizontal strain (c
h
).
5 Copyright 2012 by ASME
In order to determinate vertical strain (c
v
) it has to be
considered a point located at the bottom of the pipe (6 oclock)
and for the horizontal strain (c
h
) a point at the right of the pipe
considering the flux direction (3 oclock).

Strain indicates stress. Positive horizontal strain (+c
h
)
means the right fiber of the pipeline is subjected to tension, that
indicates also a left curvature. In the same way, a negative
horizontal strain (-c
h
) means the right fiber of the pipeline is
subjected to compression, that indicates also a right curvature.
See Figure 8.

Positive vertical strain (+c
v
) means the bottom fiber of the
pipeline is subjected to tension, that indicates also an ascendant
curve or sag curve. In the same way, a negative vertical strain
(-c
v
) means the bottom fiber of the pipeline is subjected to
compression, that indicates also a descendant curve or over
curve. See Figure 8.

Vertical Deformation
Measeument Point
Horizontal
Deformation
Measurement Point

Curvature Possible Soil Movement
Direction
Strain + - + -
Horizontal Left Right Right Left
Vertical SAG OVER Downwards Upwards
Horizontal Strain
Measurement
Point
Vertical Strain
Measurement
Point

FIGURE 8: CONVENTIONS AND CORRELATION OF STRAIN
WITH POSSIBLE SOIL MOVEMENTS.

The relationship between the informed bending strain (c)
and curvature (k) is the following (D: Pipe diameter):

2
k
c
D
=

2
v
v
Dk
c =

2
h
h
Dk
c =

(1)

Strain Limits
A very good reference is the standard CSA Z662/96 Oil and
Gas Pipeline Systems of the Canadian Standard Association.
This standard establishes the following:

- Tensile Strain
In the appendix C, points 6.3.1 and 8.10 of the standard
determine a limit value for the factored tensile strain (c
tf
)
equals to 0.525% to prevent any rupture in the pipeline due
to tension loads. To find this limit use equation 2:
tf t crit c c |c > t
(2)
Where:
u
ct
= resistance factor for tensile strain.
c
t crit
= ultimate tensile strain capacity of the pipe wall or
weldment.
c
tf
= factored tensile strain in the longitudinal or hoop
direction.

This limit value considered as c
t crit
= 0.0075 and u
ct
= 0.7.
A value of 0.525% is considered conservative and it is not a
realistic failure limit. For example TgPs full scale tests (bi-
axial) found tensile strains greater than 3% before rupture in
a API 5L X70 pipe. It is possible to use this values also to
establish strain limits more consistent to reality.

- Compressive Strain
In CSA Z662, appendix C, point 6.3.3.2 of the standard
determines a limit value for the factored compressive strain
(c
cf
) to prevent the formation of wrinkles:
cf c crit c c |c > c
(3)
Where:
u
cc
= resistance factor for compressive strain.
c
c crit
= ultimate compressive strain capacity of the pipe wall
or weldment.
c
cf
= factored compressive strain in the longitudinal or hoop
direction.
This standard recommends to use a value for u
cc
= 0.8 and
to determine c
c crit
use equation 4. c
c crit
depends on wall
thickness, external diameter, internal and external pressure:

( )
0, 5 0, 0025 3000
2
i e
c
crit
s
p p D
t
D t E
c
(
= +
(


(4)
Where:
t = wall thickness
D = external diameter of the pipe
p
i
= internal pressure
p
e
= external pressure
E
s
= Youngs Modulus
Using equations 3 and 4, it can be easily determined the
compressive limit strains (c
cf
) for all the diameters and wall
thickness of the pipelines system, when internal pressure =
external pressure = 1 bar, that means a decompression of the
pipeline maybe due to a rupture or leakage. The decompression
of a pipeline is an unusual situation, but it is the most critical
when a pipeline is suffering compressive strains. It is useful
also to know compressive limit strains (ccf) for the operation
pressure or MAOP, despite that these values are bigger.


Strain Gages

An important part of an integrity management system is
the monitoring of the different variables that involved in the
pipeline risk, and one of them is the strains of the pipes. From
our own experience, the most reliable way of monitoring
pipeline longitudinal stresses under field conditions is installing
vibrating wire strain gages. They are also suitable for a long
term operation

The spot-weldable strain gauges consist of a steel wire
held in tension inside a tube. The tube is mounted on a steel
flange that is welded to the pipe. Strain in the structural
member is transferred through the flange to the tube and the
6 Copyright 2012 by ASME
wire inside. An increase in tensile strain increases tension in the
wire and a decrease in tensile strain decreases tension in the
wire. A sensor placed at the top of the wire is used to pluck the
wire, causing it to vibrate at a frequency relative to its tension.
The vibration of the wire within the magnetic field of the coil
induces a frequency signal that is transmitted to the readout
device. The readout device processes the frequency signal
using calibration factors that relate frequency to strain in the
wire, and then displays a number, Hertz (Hz). This strain
reading from a strain gauge does not represent the total strain in
the pipe. There is strain in the member before the gauge is
welded to it, and there is strain in the wire of the gauge. The
wire must be tensioned in order to operate properly.

The stress of main interest on soil movement areas is the
longitudinal stress, that is why the strain gages are installed
parallel to the pipeline axis. It is common to use an array of
three sensors separated 120 degrees from one another (at 4, 8
and 12 oclock). Figure 9 shows strain gages installated.


FIGURE 9: STRAIN GAGES - INSTALLATION.

A stress monitoring in a soil movement area requires a
periodic review of strain gages measures. In pipelines that cross
jungles, there is another disadvantage: the ROW is not as
accessible as required, so this task generally involves a lot of
planning and logistic resources. It is a good practice
implementing an automatic system that collects the data at
specific time with more frequency. The necessary information
to be considered when performing an evaluation includes:
dates, value of strain gages reading (Hertz, Hz), its equivalent
to microstrains (uE), variation related to the first reading
(Delta), percentage of specific minimum yield strength of the
Pipe (% SMYS) equivalent to delta strain, and temperature
(C). It is also important to report any particular condition
observed on field that could have caused the variation
presented on the readings.

These sensors reveal information only in the place where
they are installed and they only measure the strain variations
from the installation onward. That means the initial zero of the
strain gage readings is not real, for that reason it is necessary to
estimate the initial strain over the pipeline using topographic
surveys, finite element analysis and as-built conditions.

This monitoring system helps to know the stress level of
ther pipelines in a very approximate way and also how it allows
to choose the best response in each case. From our own
experience, there is no better way of monitoring pipeline
stresses than installing vibrating wire strain gages.

Strain Gages Reading Interpretation
Strain gages sensors give frequency values (hertz) that are
equivalent to certain level of strain. To make this equivalency it
is used a formula that is function of the square of the frequency
measured. For that reason these sensors have a high grade of
sensitivity because a little change in frequency means a
reasonable change in strain.

As it is mentioned above, the strain is expressed in
microstrains. Strain has no units of measure but the values are
often very small. To manage these values much easier multiply
them by 10
6
. That is a microstrain, the strain multiplied by 10
6
,
or in other words strain expressed in parts per million.

The strain obtained is a longitudinal strain that correspond
to a longitudinal stress. It is easy to get stresses from strain
values because they are related by the Young modulus of the
material. According to the variation of strain and the position of
the sensor it is possible to relate the tensional state with the
possible movements of the pipeline. Figure 10 presents the
simplest possible cases of relation between strain gages
readings and pipeline movements.


FIGURE 10: RELATION BETWEEN STRAIN GAGES
READINGS AND PIPELINE MOVEMENTS.

In the field, pipeline movements are not as perfect as only
vertical or horizontal movements; most of the time they are a
combination of this movements in different directions and
different intensities. The correlation among field information,
inspections and strain gages readings helps to evaluate any
atypical behaviour occurring in the pipelines.


7 Copyright 2012 by ASME
COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING

Additionally computational modelling is a key factor in this
kind of transportation systems. With this activity the operator is
not only able to monitor or remediate a critical situation, is
also able to predict situations before they become critical. That
is why a Soil/Pipeline Interaction model was developed, with
finite element software. This model was validated and its
effectiveness was tested to reproduce reality taking into
account some of the ruptures our pipeline has undergone. This
model also allows to install the instrumentation like strain
gages in the most adequate zones of the pipeline after an
evaluation of the stresses.

A pipe-soil interaction study was developed, which uses a non-
linear finite element model. In contrast to the traditional
Wrinkler model, the research concludes that it must be used a
hybrid model (between continuous and structural). Figure 11
presents this two types of models. The hybrid model includes
pipe type elements to represent the pipeline and a solid
continuous element to represent the soil. Both types of
elements interact by a shared node. This system is called
solid-beam model; it proved to have a very reliable behaviour
when it was tested in the representation of real cases.




FIGURE 11: (A) BASIC TRADITIONAL MODEL (WRINKLER)
(B) SOLID-BEAM MODEL


The model has the following characteristics:

- Geometry: The pipeline is drawn with the ILI information.
The soil is generated around the pipeline according to a
field topographic survey. This means that the model
represent in a precisely way the terrain and pipeline, with
bends and slopes, all in a three dimensional space. This is
an advantage over the traditional models.

- Properties: The different soil layers are represented
according to soil explorations executed on field. Its depth
depends on how deep rock or stable soil is found. The
drainage soil condition is included in the specific weight of
the layer. Table 1 presents soil properties for several soil
layers:


Layer
Saturated
Specific
Weight
Cohesio
n
Friction
Angle
Elastic
Modulus



[Kg/cm3
]
[kg/cm2] []
[kg/cm2
]
1 1700 0.25 20 20
2 1900 0.3 16 30
3 2000 0.3 16 35
4 2200 0.3 16 10
TABLE 1: PROPERTIES - SOIL LAYERS


For pipeline properties it is better to use the results of real-
scale test performed (if they are available), as listed in Table 2:

Base Metal
Stress [Pa] Strain
4.80E+08 0
5.50E+08 0.005
6.00E+08 0.017
6.75E+08 0.057
7.00E+08 0.077
7.35E+08 0.117
TABLE 2: STRESS AND STRAIN VALUES REAL SCALE
TEST API 5L X70

- Boundary Conditions: They are assumed in agreement with
the reality. The translations are fixed in the lowest soil layer
and in the extremes of the model.

- Loads: Internal pressure, pipeline and fluid weight, soil
weight. The soil movements are represented as node
displacements, according to the field inspection.

- Mesh: The model has in average 100 elements by linear
meter. The study concludes that his hybrid model has a
good behaviour in comparison with more complex models,
because it dont require so much time of processing.

Figure 12 presents the results of the computational modelling.
It shows the soil displacements. In that figure it is also possible
to see the modelled geometry and the three dimensional
capabilities of the model.

8 Copyright 2012 by ASME

FIGURE 12: COMPUTATIONAL MODEL: SOIL
DISPLACEMENTS

Figure 13 also presents the results of the computational
modelling but now showing the stresses over the pipeline.


FIGURE 13: COMPUTATIONAL MODEL: PIPE STRESS


RISK ASSESSMENT

Risk assessment is an essential part of the integrity
management system (IMS). Our company developed a very
comprehensive and detailed risk assessment model based on
the guidelines of API 1160 and ASME B31.8S. Both standards
are guidelines of the Peruvian national regulation for
hydrocarbon transmission (DS 081-2007-EM Reglamento
de Transporte de Hidrocarburos por Ductos), which
establishes that every pipeline operator must develop an IMS.
The probability model is based on logic trees instead indexing
models (the most commonly used), in order to reflect in the
result all the variables and factors: exposition factors, resistance
factors and mitigation factors. For the weather and outside
forces logic tree is taken into account several attributes, some
of they are: slope terrain angle, slope stability, on-slope
constructions, water course, rainfall, scouring, depth of cover
survey, mining, armoring, ILI results, among others.

For the probability of failure calculation, the weather and
outside forces threat is divided in nine sub-threats, in order to
face accurately the reality:
- Scouring.
- Accretion.
- Inundation.
- Earthquakes.
- Settlement.
- Wind Erosion.
- Mud flow.
- Parallel Water Courses.
- Soil flux Movements, that includes the following type
of movements:
- Drops
- Rollover
- Rotational Landslide
- Translational Landslide
- Creep
- Debris Flux
- Complex Movements

The probability of failure due to weather and outside forces are
combined with the probability of failure due to the other
threats: internal corrosion, external corrosion, stress corrosion
cracking, third party damage, construction defects,
manufacturing defects, equipment failure and incorrect
operations. This overall value multiplied by the consequence of
failure; gives a risk value for the system.


INTEGRATION OF MONITORING AND INSPECTION
SYSTEMS

All these monitoring and inspection techniques have to be
adequately integrated. The information provided is only useful
if they are well understood and well unified.

When the soil movement is already happening, the system
developed has the following structured steps:
1. Identification of sensible areas subjected to soil
movements. It can be due to:
a. A field inspection (geotechnical inspection)
b. ILI inspections: if a significant strain is measured by
de INS tool, that reach or is very close to the limits
calculated as it is shown in this paper; or the calliper
tool detects pipe geometry variation on the pipeline
that could be related to soil movements.
2. Detailed geotechnical inspection of the identified areas.
3. Data gathering to determinate the extension of the
movement area, its route across the pipeline and also a
topographic verification of the pipeline position against the
as-built data and the geographical coordinates obtained
from INS tool. The topographic survey could be by LiDAR
technique.
9 Copyright 2012 by ASME
4. When the topographic verification shows a relevant
movement or the indication of the ILI tools are confirmed,
a computational modelling is executed to check if the
stress and strain limits do not exceed the established limits
and also to check if there are more affected areas. It is also
useful to determinate more accurately the position of the
instrumentation.
5. Installation of instrumentation on critical areas to detect
strain and stress changes in the pipeline due to soil
movement (strain gages, topographic control points, etc.).
The soil is also monitored by geotechnical fiber optics,
inclinometers and piezometers.
6. If it is necessary, an Intervention Plan is performed over
the pipeline to reduce stresses if the set up limits are
reached or exceeded. It can include a reopening of the
ditch and a stress relief. Non Destructive Tests (NDT) are
also carried out on the girth welds.

But the system has also to respond before the soil
movement occur; it is possible due to risk calculations
performed along the ROW. As it was mention before, the risk
calculation model developed has a particular improvement for
weather and outside forces threats analysis, which includes
several attributes. The monitoring and inspection are a key
component in this model.

Topographic surveys, including LiDAR techniques,
provide accurate and updated information of the depth of cover
of the pipe, essential attribute for the risk calculation. With this
information it is possible also calculate the slope terrain angle
and with this, in conjunction with other attributes, the slope
stability.

Strain gages, geotechnical fiber optics and ILI information
are useful to determinate and qualify the risk of zones
susceptible to soil movements.


CONCLUSIONS

- When soil movements are a reality in the ROW of
pipelines, a well established and structured monitoring
system helps to prevent critical damage on the pipelines. It
involves cooperation of several specialties (engineering,
geotechnics, topography, etc.), instrumentation and a
number of evaluations performed to be closer to the real
tensional state of the pipeline.

- Instrumentation like vibrating wire strain gages has proved
to be the most reliable instrument in order to know
longitudinal stresses in a pipeline because they measure
directly the strain on it. These devices plus the information
of the soil stress on the soil (by installation of geotechnical
fiber optic cables) are a good source of information for the
computational modelling.
- The study and implementation of new monitoring and
inspection techniques is very valuable to better understand
the behaviour of the soil and the pipeline. Stress monitoring
of the soil by geotechnical fiber optic gives, in opposition to
other techniques, real time and continuous information over
the monitoring zone. LiDAR technique has proved to be a
very reliable and complete source of topographic
information.
- The computational modelling tool developed is based in
two different concepts solid-shell model and solid-beam
model (solid: soil, Shell/beam: pipeline). The solid-shell
model is more versatile and allows to simulate different
types of contacts between soil and pipeline, but processing
data is slower than the solid-beam model, which has a big
calculus velocity due to its less quantity of elements, it is a
very fast tool that allows the operator to make early
decisions.
- When outside forces are a potential risk to face in the ROW
of pipelines, the IMS has to collect all the information (ILI
data, topographic surveys, geotechnic surveys,
instrumentation and rainfall monitoring) and perform and
exigent analysis in order to detect zones with soil
movements before they become critical. All this information
is supported in a very reliable GIS platform where the data
can be easily consulted. Our IMS helped us to prevent
critical damage on our pipeline for over five years.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work is supported in teamwork made by involved
areas: Engineering and Integrity, Maintenance and Operations
of Compaa Operadora de Gas del Amazonas.

REFERENCES
[1] Omnisens DITEST TM FIBER OPTIC DISTRIBUTED
TEMPERATURE & STRAIN SENSING TECHNIQUE
[2] BUKOVANSKY, M., MAJOR, G. Twenty years of
monitoring pipelines in landslides.
[2] COMPAIA OPERADORA DE GAS DEL AMAZONAS,
Instructivo de Monitoreo, Evaluacin, Intervencin y
Remediacin de Problemas Geotcnicos
[3] COMPAIA OPERADORA DE GAS DEL AMAZONAS,
Procedimiento de Clculo de Tensiones en Ductos de NG y
NGL.
[4] COMPAIA OPERADORA DE GAS DEL AMAZONAS,
Instructivo de Vigilancia Del DdV durante el Periodo de
Lluvias
[5] COMPAIA OPERADORA DE GAS DEL AMAZONAS,
Instructivo para Medicin De Puntos De Control Para Anlisis
Tensional De Zonas Geotcnicamente Crtic