Saudi Journal of Engineering and Technology (SJEAT)
Volume-3 | Issue-12 | 672-679
Original Research Article
Analysis of Natural Gas Pipeline Failure (A Case Study of a Typical Marginal Oil and Gas Field in Niger Delta, Nigeria)
Ugwunna A. D, Appah D, Evbuomwan B. O
Published : Dec. 30, 2018
Abstract
This paper aimed at carrying out a failure analysis on a typical gas pipeline in
Niger Delta, Nigeria. The research analyzes the causes of failure of an existing pipeline
which conveys 35MSCF/D of natural gas from the processing plant of marginal oil and
gas field to a power generating station, 14km away. Non Destructive Testing (NDT)
procedure, specifically, Ultrasonic Testing method was used to carry out the failure
analysis on the pipe specimen. The pipeline thickness gauging alongside the flaw
detention procedures carried out showed that the pipeline failed integrity test, therefore
unfit for its intended purpose. The overall result shows that the major causes of the pipe
failure are metallurgical/weld defect as well as corrosion along the welded line. The
parameters obtained were used to compute the failure model for the pipeline.