Status and thinking of vulnerability assessment of oil and gas pipelines in Natech events

Abstract

Oil and gas pipelines are often exposed to the natural hazards, and the action of these natural hazards on the oil and gas pipelines may result in a series of technological hazards such as fire and explosion, which are referred to as the Natural Hazards Triggering Technological Accidents (Natech events), so that the pipelines system shows a higher vulnerability level. Herein, the relationship among risk, resilience and vulnerability was clarified by summarizing and analyzing the definition of vulnerability in different research fields. Besides, the advantages, disadvantages and applicability of various vulnerability assessment methods were reviewed, and the connotation of vulnerability in Natech events was expounded by analyzing the law of successive evolution of vulnerability. In addition, the vulnerability assessment process and crucial elements of oil and gas pipelines in Natech events were discussed from six aspects, including hazard identification, region division, etc. Finally, prospect was made in combination with the current research status for vulnerability assessment under Natech events. The research results can provide theoretical reference for quantitative vulnerability assessment of oil and gas pipelines in Natech events.

Keywords

• natech events
• vulnerability
• oil and gas pipelines
• risk