1.1. History
Pipelines are the safest ways of transferring energy fuels, so the world relies on them to distribute energy. According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the New York pipelines encompass a total of 48,539 miles. As natural gas consumption rises, so does the need to have a transport structure in place to supply the amplified demand. The Department of Transportation (D.O.T) defines a Transmission line as a pipeline that transports gas from a gathering line to a distribution center and operates at >124 psi (Interpertation, 2011). Any pressure below 124 psi is categorized as a Distribution Line (Figure 1). Pipelines deliver an economical and safe means of transporting natural gas across vast distances around the states. Although energy demand has risen over the previous decade, more recent estimates suggest that this demand may increase during the upcoming decade. (EIA) (Figure 2). The new demand for natural gas is visible in NYC, Queens, Long Island, Brooklyn, and Staten Island areas, as they are incessantly growing. Thus, adding miles of distribution pipelines may be essential to sustain the demand.
However, the natural gas pipeline does fail from time to time, occasionally with catastrophic consequence. It is significant to recognize the efficient and valuable transportation of natural gas from the source point to consumption points, which involve the use of a highly controlled transportation system. Natural gas is most frequently transported using pipeline structure. This is merely a system of pipes that are often underground and used to move products or water from the source point to treating or utility point (Guo, 2014). According to a report by the PHMSA, there have been more than 4,600 gas pipeline accidents identified and recorded since 1990. From PHMSA statistical reports, excavation damage and corrosion have been defined as significant causes of most fatal pipeline accidents. Other causes include incorrect operation, equipment failure, materials or weld damage, and outside force damage, which can also cause pipeline incidents.
Figure 1.
The gas pipeline transportation system (Source: Pipeline Safety Trust, (Pipeline Safety, 2015))
Figure 2.
Annual New York natural gas total consumption (Source: U.S. Energy Info. Admin, (EIA))