Quest Consultants' personnel have conducted a variety of safety-related studies for pipelines carrying hazardous fluids. In many of these studies, Quest personnel were responsible for determining the types of accidental releases that could occur, estimating the probabilities of occurrence of the accidents, and quantifying the potential effects of such accidents. The hazards that were evaluated include flammable vapor clouds, toxic vapor clouds, fire radiation, and vapor cloud explosions.

Examples of a few of these studies are presented below. This list is not complete, but is intended to illustrate the types of studies in which Quest personnel have been involved.

Liquefied Gas Pipelines; United States

Quest conducted a consequence analysis of several liquefied gas pipelines located in a right-of-way that runs parallel to a major river. These pipelines are underground and, at times, are also underwater. Two types of releases were investigated: those with sufficient momentum to expel the overburden (soil and water), and those in which the liquefied gas would migrate through the overburden to the surface. The size of the flammable vapor cloud produced by the release of liquefied gas from a pipeline is heavily influenced by the velocity of the released fluid at the time it enters the atmosphere.

Sour Natural Gas Pipelines; United States

An operator of several large-diameter gas pipelines expressed concern regarding the safety of the public near these pipelines. This concern was related to the flammable nature of the gas and the toxic properties of hydrogen sulfide. Quest conducted a quantitative risk analysis of the pipeline system.

DOT Emergency Response Manual and Video Tape; United States

Under contract to the Department of Transportation, Quest developed a written manual and video tape for use in assisting pipeline operators in complying with DOT requirements regarding emergency response procedures. The manual and video tape cover the pertinent government regulations, discuss recommended responses and mitigation techniques, and provide detailed information on the properties and hazards of materials commonly transported by pipeline.

LPG Pipeline Routing Study; Canada

A pipeline operator was considering constructing a new LPG pipeline and converting an existing crude oil pipeline to LPG service. Quest conducted a consequence analysis of both the new and converted portions of the system. Results of the consequence analysis were used to help select the preferred route for the new pipeline.

Comparative Risk of LPG Transportation Systems; Indonesia

Quest conducted a comparative risk analysis to determine which one of four alternative LPG transportation systems would have the lowest public risk. The alternatives included pipelines, barges, tank trucks, and intermodal tanks.

Pipeline Spacing; United Kingdom

A pipeline contractor retained Quest to estimate the effects that a torch fire resulting from failure of a gas pipeline would have on other pipelines laid in the same right-of-way.

Natural Gas Distribution Pipelines; United States

Quest personnel were retained as expert witnesses in several law suits involving fires or explosions alleged to have been caused by leaks from natural gas distribution pipelines.

Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline; United States

A major pipeline operator proposed to construct more than 300 miles of a natural gas transmission pipeline in the northeastern United States. Quest personnel conducted a quantitative risk analysis of the proposed pipeline. The analysis included effects of variations in population density along the pipeline route, probability estimates of various types of pipeline failures, and computer modeling of hazards produced by a range of pipeline failures.

Large-Diameter Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines; Indonesia

Two large pipelines (42-inch and 48-inch diameter) transport natural gas from production facilities to an LNG liquefaction plant. Quest personnel have been involved in several safety projects related to these pipelines, including the modeling of fire radiation and flammable vapor cloud hazard zones.

Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline; United States

A proposed land development project was being delayed due to some concern related to a nearby natural gas transmission pipeline. The developer asked Quest to perform a hazards analysis of the pipeline to aid in determining if an accidental release from the pipeline could adversely affect the area being developed.

Offshore Gas/Condensate Gathering Pipelines; Malaysia

The client retained Quest personnel to conduct a safety audit and review of their offshore pipelines in Malaysia. These pipelines carry a two-phase mixture of rich natural gas and condensate from four offshore production platforms to a land-based gas processing plant.

Sour Natural Gas Gathering Pipelines; United States

Quest personnel used state-of-the-art consequence models to evaluate the potential extent of flammable and toxic vapor clouds that could result from failures of a moderate-pressure natural gas pipeline. Hydrogen sulfide concentration in the gas was high. Failures included in the analysis ranged from 1/4-inch holes to full pipe ruptures. Pipeline failure probability estimates and local population distributions were combined with the results of the hazards analysis to produce a quantitative estimate of public risk. The results of the risk analysis were presented at public hearings.

Natural Gas and Liquid Product Transmission Pipelines/Terminals; Mexico

A major engineering/construction firm retained Quest to conduct a comparative risk analysis of several gas and liquids pipelines and terminals based on standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR 192 and 195.

For more information about our Hazardous Material Pipeline Safety Services, please contact us at info@questconsult.com.