An Industry Perception and Assessment of Oil and Gas Pipeline Third-Party Interference

Year 2023, Volume: 18 Issue: 1, 17 - 32, 30.03.2023

Rowlad Adewumi Okechukwu Agbasi Sunday Etuk Ubong Robert

Abstract

The world population is growing at an alarming rate and human needs for technology and easy life styles drive dependency on oil energy into excessive demand, resulting in more pipelines, pipelines that are often subjected to various form of abuse. The aim of this research is to investigate the perception of oil and gas pipeline third-party interference from government agencies, professional bodies, academia, pipeline service providers and private companies’ representatives. This paper attempts to identify types of third-party interference; the severity of interference; various preventive and detection tools; and examination of how the pipeline industry manage interference. The study population consisted of members of the pipeline industry, including health and safety engineers, pipeline engineers, pipeline service providers, and pipeline project engineers. The methodology for this study was formed by qualitative data, via open-ended questionnaire. The study shows that application of proper standard and procedures; greater awareness campaign to all stakeholders; and more Research and Development are the best procedures in preventing pipeline third-party interference. In organisational procedures to preventing third-party interference during and after pipeline installation, surveillance frequency as determined from risk assessment is the most effective. The study revealed that right-of-way encroachment is the most prevalent activities organisations presently monitor to avoid third-party pipeline damage. The result of the study also showed that communications with all stakeholders is more effective in preventing intentional pipeline interference, and government’s social responsibility to communities as the major factor influencing occurrence of intentional pipeline damage; and land use and human activities as the most ranked factor for consideration in mitigating intentional third-party damage. The study also outlined what governments and the industry can and should do to help better manage risk and effectively reduce the risk of pipeline third-party damage.

Keywords

Pipeline, Third-party Interference, Content Analysis, Country comparison

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