Iranian Oil Pipeline and
Telecommunication Company
(IOPTC) is one of the distributed
companies having eleven main
subsidiaries located in different
geographical locations. Oil
travels a long distance from
oil wells to refineries and
distribution points all over the
nation through underground
pipelines. Its mandate can be
broadly categorized in four
main activities, namely project
profile, project execution,
operation and maintenance.
Because of the reasons
mentioned below, Project profile
is our main challenge and it
influences other activities.
The first and foremost is the
challenge of developing the
petroleum pipelines network. New Oil
Pipeline Project (NOPP) and Relocation
Potential Pipeline Project (RPPP) need
verification of feasibility study that shows
conflict between technical design and
environmental aspect. However, it can
be resolved with minimal effect on the
project schedule (Figure 1). Obviously,
to come up with an inter-organizational
agreement, the long administrative
procedure is one of reasons that the data
sharing is not taking place as it should.
The pipeline external corrosion is a
great threat caused by natural chemical
interactions. American Petroleum Institute
(API) suggests other risk factors such as
pipe material and manufacturing process,
highly CORROSIVE SOIL, and highly
volatile products. In addition, landslide
rock-fall, earthquake and flood are the
most serious geological hazards affecting
on-route selection of new pipeline. So far,
only feasible routes have been approved
by decision makers. The Proposed Route
is selected to minimize technical difficulty,
environmental impact, land conflict and
cost. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Region III suggests that when
establishing the frequency of assessment,
three risk factors should be taken into
consideration; specific product differences,
location related to the ability of the operator
to detect and respond to a leak (Figure 2). |