Page 64 - Pipeline Risk Management Manual Ideas, Techniques, and Resources

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Third-party Damage

Index

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Third-party Damage Index Third-party damage, as the term is used here, refers to any acci-
A. Minimum Depth of Cover 0-20 pts 20% dental damage done to the pipe as a result ofactivities ofpersonnel
B. Activity Level 0-20pts 20% not associated with the pipeline. This failure mode is also some-
C. Aboveground Facilities 0-10 pts 10% times called outside force or external force, but those descriptions
D. Line Locating 0-15 pts 15% would presumably include damaging earth movements. We use
E. Public Education Programs 0-15 pts 15% third-party damage as the descriptor here to focus the analyses
E Right-of-way Condition 0-5 pts 5% specifically on damage caused by people not associated with the
G. Patrol Frequency 0-15 pts 15% pipeline. Potential earth movement damage is addressed in the
design index discussion of Chapter 5. Intentional damages are
0-100pts 100% covered in the sabotage module (Chapter 9). Accidental damages
done by pipeline personnel and contractors are covered in the
This table lists some possible variables and weightings that incorrect operations index chapter (Chapter 6).
could be used to assess the potential for third-party damages to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) pipeline accident
atypical transmission pipeline (see Figures 3.1 and 3.2). statistics indicate that third-party intrusions are often the lead-
ing cause of pipeline failure. Some 20 to 40 percent of all
Background pipeline failures in most time periods are attributed to third-
party damages. In spite of these statistics, the potential for
Pipeline operators usually take steps to reduce the possibility of third-party damage is often one of the least considered aspects
damage to their facilities by others. The extent to which miti- of pipeline hazard assessment.
gating steps are necessary depends on how readily the system The good safety record of pipelines has been attributed in
can be damaged and bow often the chance for damage occurs. part to their initial installation in sparsely populated areas and