Thermal calculations of underground oil pipelines

Abstract

Operation of oil pipelines in the frozen soil causes heat exchange between the pipeline and the soil and formation of a melt zone which leads to deformation of pipelines. Terms of construction and operation of oil pipelines are greatly related to their temperature conditions. In this regard it is necessary to know the laws of formation of thawing halos around oil pipelines. Thus, elucidation of laws of formation of thawing halos around oil pipelines and determination of optimal conditions for their installation during construction in areas of permafrost in the north of Tyumen region is a very urgent task. The authors developed an algorithm and a computer program for construction of the temperature field of the frozen soil. Some problems have been solved basing on the obtained dependences and graphs of the dependence were constructed. Research and calculations made on the underground oil pipeline construction allowed the authors to give recommendations aimed at increasing the reliability of oil pipelines.