Pipeline Construction Projects Research Articles

Sustainability Assessment of Construction Technologies for Large Pipelines on Urban Highways: Scenario Analysis using Fuzzy QFD

Urban highways users frequently face disruptions due to construction and maintenance of buried infrastructure. In conventional open cut construction, social costs (vehicle operating and traffic delay costs) are generally high at work zone construction areas (WZCA). Municipalities also bear additional costs due to early maintenance of alternate routes, i.e., non-work zone construction area (NWZCA). Besides, work zone and non-work zone areas together experience significant potential socio-economic and environment impacts. In addition to minimal disturbance to existing socioenvironmental setting and user cost savings, trenchless construction result in agency cost savings by avoiding early maintenance at NWZCA. Past studies primarily focused on social costs associated to WZCA. In present research, a sustainability assessment framework has been developed that includes agency and user costs at both the work zone and non-work zone area. The framework evaluates various traffic detoured scenarios (for open cut construction) and trenchless technology scenario based on all three dimensions of sustainability. Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment (Fuzzy QFD) method has been used to incorporate the interaction between the agency’s sustainability objectives and public expectations for large-sized pipeline construction projects in urban areas. The framework effectively handles the uncertainties associated to data limitations and vagueness in expert opinion for subjective assessment criteria. To evaluate the pragmatism of proposed framework, it was applied on the case of a storm sewer construction project in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Trenchless technology was found to be the most sustainable construction scenario followed by the open cut scenario with 50% traffic detoured to NWCA. The proposed methodology is also sought to enhance decision making process pertaining to the viability of trenchless technologies in KSA and elsewhere.

Preventing regional social and environmental conflicts during oil pipeline construction projects

Preventing regional social and environmental conflicts during oil pipeline construction projects

A decision-support system based on Pythagorean fuzzy VIKOR for occupational risk assessment of a natural gas pipeline construction

Natural gas pipeline construction projects are major projects between countries that include onshore and offshore sections. Aim of these projects is to supply the natural gas from one place to another. Safety of workplace, environment and employers is also another important argument. In this respect, it is essential to conduct an occupational risk assessment (ORA) study to eliminate the risks that may arise around the pipeline. Application of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods for the ORA has shown great increase recently. Also, developing a decision support system (DSS) which is easy to use and capable of extracting results enables decision makers to assess health and safety risks. Therefore, (i) A DSS based on Pythagorean fuzzy VIKOR (PFVIKOR) in ORA literature is developed for the first time; (ii) A case study is employed to risk assessment for trenchless crossings installation by auger boring process of the pipeline project; (iii) A sensitivity analysis is performed in the results of PFVIKOR-based DSS; and (iv) Two additional risk parameters called sensitivity to PPE non-utilization and undetectability are considered in ORA process apart from the classical risk assessment parameters of severity and probability. Developing such a DSS and applying it for risk assessment in a natural gas pipeline construction will contribute stakeholders in the energy industry.

Effectiveness of soil and water conservation associated with a natural gas pipeline construction project inChina

AbstractA natural gas pipeline extends over a distance of 310 km in the Hebei Province of China and passes through various zones of natural vegetation, mostly wooded. Construction required a working width of about 40 m and a 1.4‐m‐wide trench to be dug to a depth of 2.4 m to enable the installation of a pipe with a diameter of 1,016 mm. The construction process had to manage an irregular configuration of terrain with steep slopes, varying degrees of instability, and a propensity for erosion and land degradation. To prevent potentially massive soil erosion and further deterioration of the affected environment, a comprehensive soil and water conservation plan was designed and implemented. A 3.25‐km‐long study area was selected in rugged hilly country and was divided into seven topographic zones, with slopes ranging from <10° to over 50°. Different soil and water conservation measures were adopted in each zone, including engineering measures, revegetation measures, and maintenance measures. One year after installation, trees planted in individual holes grew well in each zone and the vegetation cover on the slopes treated by hydroseeding exceeded 90%. In addition, run‐off and sediment yield on slopes were significantly reduced. These conservation measures were conducive to environmentally sustainable development and may serve as a scientific reference for ecological restoration and vegetation reconstruction in future pipeline construction projects in similar terrain. Furthermore, these measures also helped to ensure the safe operation of the pipeline and provided protection for people living and working along the pipeline route.

Comparative Study of Pipeline Deliverables using Deterministic and Stochastic Models

This study aim to proffer solution to the factors causing delay is pipeline construction project deliverables, it compared deterministic model (variable with certainty) and stochastic model (variable with uncertainty), with Six (6) planned project schedules of Brownfield Energy Service Limited for pipeline construction. Time assigned to critical activities, identified from a network analysis, with the aid of the Critical Path Method, expected mean time, both deterministic and stochastic duration was calculated. Program Evaluation Review Techniques (PERT), the variance and standard deviation of the critical activities were also calculated. The probability of completion of a project within a given period was gotten with PERT. Comparing the results for deterministic duration 60 days to 79 days, which is 50% compared to 64%. It was concluded that stochastic model is preferable when scheduling and executing pipeline construction projects, because uncertainties are factored into the planning and scheduling process including delays. Delays during execution stage, occurs mainly due to community related issues, equipment failures, change in job scope and work- men antics but not limited to these. This study advocates elimination of causes of delay, especially before and during project execution phase. It also suggested that every project schedule should follow an order of precedents, prerequisite, and management involvement and cooperation at all stages of the project

Comparative Study of Pipeline Deliverables using Deterministic and Stochastic Models

This study aim to proffer solution to the factors causing delay is pipeline construction project deliverables, it compared deterministic model (variable with certainty) and stochastic model (variable with uncertainty), with Six (6) planned project schedules of Brownfield Energy Service Limited for pipeline construction. Time assigned to critical activities, identified from a network analysis, with the aid of the Critical Path Method, expected mean time, both deterministic and stochastic duration was calculated. Program Evaluation Review Techniques (PERT), the variance and standard deviation of the critical activities were also calculated. The probability of completion of a project within a given period was gotten with PERT. Comparing the results for deterministic duration 60 days to 79 days, which is 50% compared to 64%. It was concluded that stochastic model is preferable when scheduling and executing pipeline construction projects, because uncertainties are factored into the planning and scheduling process including delays. Delays during execution stage, occurs mainly due to community related issues, equipment failures, change in job scope and work- men antics but not limited to these. This study advocates elimination of causes of delay, especially before and during project execution phase. It also suggested that every project schedule should follow an order of precedents, prerequisite, and management involvement and cooperation at all stages of the project

Assessing occupational risks in pipeline construction using FMEA-based AHP-MOORA integrated approach under Pythagorean fuzzy environment

The aim of natural gas pipeline projects is generally to make it possible to transfer the natural gas produced from one place to another. There are various safety risks for these broad construction systems. Therefore, to reduce the negative effects of emerged risks, a new risk assessment approach for occupational health and safety (OHS) is needed. In this paper, FMEA-based AHP-MOORA integrated approach under Pythagorean fuzzy sets is proposed for assessing occupational risks in a natural gas pipeline construction project. A case study for concrete coating process of natural gas pipeline project is employed to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed integrated approach. A comparative study, correlation analysis, and sensitivity analysis are also presented to approve the novel risk assessment approach. In conclusion, the integrated approach gives more reasonable results for evaluating the occupational risks in project of pipeline construction using the advantage of Pythagorean fuzzy sets that reflects uncertainty in more suitable way.

风险矩阵法进行油气管道施工项目HSE风险评估

风险矩阵法进行油气管道施工项目HSE风险评估

"GAS WARS" OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND UKRAINE IN 2006 AND 2009: VISIONS OF UKRAINIAN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL OPINION

The article is specifically concerned with the visions of Ukrainian socio-political opinion on the gas wars of 2006 and 2009 that had emerged between the Russian Federation (RF) and Ukraine. The author investigated the approaches of representatives of the political, media, expert circles to provide an overview of this issue, as well as the results of sociological monitoring, which generally reflect the estimates of the average population. It has been argued that starting with a seemingly purely economic proposal to raise gas prices for Ukraine to a market level, Russia actually had a political goal - to punish Kyiv for delaying negotiations on the creation of a consortium with the Russians for the development of the Ukrainian gas transportation system and the pro-European course launched by the «orange team» and to discredit the Ukrainian side as a transit country to attract the attention of Europeans to several Russian gas pipeline construction projects to bypass Ukraine, which would become an alternative or even a replacement for the Ukrainian one. The results of the study suggest that, although the gas wars of 2006 and 2009 demonstrated the readiness of the Russian Federation to use its energy resources to achieve geopolitical aims, in Ukraine, this crisis was partly considered in the context of internal political struggle. Despite the judgment of Russia's non-market actions and the beginning of diversification of the Ukrainian energy system, mostly public discussion was unfolded around criticism, foremost, of the Ukrainian authorities, whose ineffective efforts, they say, were used by Russian Federation. Paradoxically, even the average population was to blame for the fuel crisis, if not exclusively official Kyiv, then both sides, rarely - only Russia. Keywords: "gas wars" 2006 and 2009, Ukrainian socio-political thought, Russian Federation, Ukraine.

长输管道建设项目全过程管理建议

长输管道建设项目全过程管理建议

长输管道施工项目目标成本管理研究

长输管道施工项目目标成本管理研究

Q/SY 1002.1标准要求与长输管道施工项目HSE工作的融合

Q/SY 1002.1标准要求与长输管道施工项目HSE工作的融合

Cost Based Value Stream Mapping as a Sustainable Construction Tool for Underground Pipeline Construction Projects

This paper deals with application of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) as a sustainable construction tool on a real construction project of installation of underground pipelines. VSM was adapted to reduce the high percentage of non-value-added activities and time wastes during each construction stage and the paper searched for an effective way to consider the cost for studied construction of underground pipeline. This paper is unique in its way that it adopts cost implementation of VSM to improve the productivity in underground pipeline projects. The data was observed and collected from site during construction, indicating the cycle time, value added and non-value added of each construction stage. The current state was built based on these details. This was an eye-opening exercise and a process management tool as a trigger for improvement. After the current state assessment, a future state is attempted by Value Stream Mapping tool balancing the resources using a Line of Balance (LOB) technique. Moreover, a sustainable cost estimation model was developed during current state and future state to calculate the cost of underground pipeline construction. The result shows a cost reduction of 20.8% between current and future states. This reflects the importance of the cost based Value Stream Mapping in construction as a sustainable measurement tool. This new tool could be utilized in construction industry to add the sustainability and effective cost management.

World chemical outlook

World chemical outlook

Causes and Effects of Rework: A Study on a Major Water Supply Pipe-Line Construction Project in Libya

Causes and Effects of Rework: A Study on a Major Water Supply Pipe-Line Construction Project in Libya

Organizational and Legal Features of the Implementation of Cross-border Pipeline Construction Projects in Modern Conditions

The article raises questions of the implementation of the strategic priorities of development of the national economy. Their relationship and dependence on the successful implementation of transcontinental and cross-border projects are due to the possibility of realization of transit potential of a country, as well as broad prospects of cooperation with neighboring countries in Europe and Asia. The solution of organizational and legal problems of pipelines construction on the territory of countries - participants of such projects as the “Nord Stream”, etc., requires a search for the optimal combination of international law and national regulatory procedures. The success of the implementation of cross-border projects is linked by the authors to the development of regulations, as one of the most effective forms of practical implementation of the technology of the interface of economic interests of the countries - participants. Being a kind of institutional arrangements, regulations will let to resolve contradictions of international requirements and national procedures promptly.

Halting decisions for gas pipeline construction projects using AHP: a case study

This paper considers a decision making problem encountered by a natural gas pipeline construction company having a set of ongoing projects and facing unpredictable risks that can result in large deviations from planned schedules. This situation forces the company to consider the decision of halting one or more projects to avoid future losses and to allow for possible reallocation of some of their resources to other ongoing projects. This decision making problem involves different factors and criteria that need to be combined in an organized structure that exploits assessments of experts managing such projects. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is found to be suitable for guiding decisions in this problem. A case study for a major natural gas pipeline construction company in Egypt is presented, where three ongoing projects are considered. The proposed AHP structure, along with collected pairwise comparison scores and calculated priorities, suggests halting one project. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to investigate the effect of changes in the pairwise comparison scores assigned to the main criteria on the final decision. The results and analysis provide some insights regarding the application of the AHP and the relative importance of the factors affecting decisions.

Performance Analysis of Construction Manager at Risk on Pipeline Engineering and Construction Projects

AbstractMuch of the water and wastewater pipelines in the United States are nearing the end of their useful life. A significant reinvestment is needed in the upcoming decades to replace or rehabilitate the water and wastewater pipeline infrastructure. Currently, the traditional method for delivering water and wastewater pipeline engineering and construction projects is design-bid-build (DBB). The traditional DBB delivery system is a sequential low-integration process and can lead to inefficiencies and adverse relationships between stakeholders. Alternative project delivery methods (APDM) such as construction manager at risk (CMAR) have been introduced to increase stakeholder integration and ultimately enhance project performance. CMAR project performance impacts have been studied in the horizontal and vertical construction industries. However, the performance of CMAR projects in the pipeline engineering and construction industry has not been quantitatively studied. This paper fills this knowledge gap by a...

극한지 장거리 천연가스 배관의 유동 설계

천연가스 배관의 유동설계는 예상되는 모든 유체의 조건에서 배관의 설계수명 동안 적절한 흐름이 지속될 수 있는가를 결정하는 것이다. 장거리 자원이송망의 유동설계는 수송되는 유체의 물리적 특성, 유량, 온도와 압력, 배관의 길이와 고도, 배관이 횡단하는 지역의 환경 등 다양한 인자를 고려하여야 한다. 본 연구에서는 극한지 자원이송망 건설프로젝트의 운전 자료를 분석하였으며, 배관 내 가스흐름에 영향을 끼치는 가스의 물리적 특성 중 동점성률과 압축계수를 살펴보았다. 배관내경은 몇몇 유동방정식을 사용하여 계산하였으며, 배관두께는 안전계수와 배관재료를 고려하여 계산하였다. 배관 내 마찰과 가스온도 및 배관고도로 인한 압력강하는 AGA 유동방정식을 사용하여 계산하였다. 본 연구에서 수행한 유동설계 결과는 알래스카 배관 프로젝트 보고서와 비교하였다. Hydraulic analysis of the natural gas transmission pipeline is to determine whether adequate flow can be sustained throughout the design life of pipeline under all expected flow conditions. Many factors have to be considered in the hydraulic design of long-distance pipelines, including the nature, volume, temperature and pressure of fluid to be transported, the length and elevation of pipeline and the environment of terrain traversed. This study reviewed the available gas operation data provided by pipeline construction project in the arctic area and discussed the gas properties such as viscosity and compressibility factor that influence gas flow through a pipeline. Pipeline inside diameter was calculated using several flow equations and pipeline wall thickness was calculated from Barlow's equation applying a safety factor and including the yield strength of the pipe material. The AGA flow equation was used to calculate the pressure drop due to friction, gas temperature and pipeline elevation along the pipeline. The hydraulic design in this study was compared with the report of Alaska Pipeline Project.

An Interval Parameter Two-Stage Stochastic Approach to Optimize Budget and Schedule in Construction Management

An interval parameter two-stage stochastic model for project budgeting and scheduling is developed to dealing with the uncertainties residing in the project management. The model focuses on the probability distribution in activity durations and the uncertainties expressed as intervals in costs. It minimizes the inexact costs (direct costs, indirect costs and penalties) with reference to the specified project completion time and the durations of activities estimated from two-stage stochastic programming. The proposed approach for budgeting and scheduling is a hybrid of two stage stochastic programming and inexact optimization. Solutions obtained from the model will provide a reasonable crashing time plan to accomplish given projects on specific time and come up a lowest cost plan for tardiness. This approach can effectively reflect the interactive relationships among all the uncertain system components. The plan provides useful decision support for project managers through these post-optimality analyses. The developed model is applied to a case study to illustrate its feasibility of dealing the actual project management decision problems. The paper implements the model to a gas pipeline construction project with specified completion time and milestone allocating tasks as the case study. The proposed model provides a systematic framework that facilitates the decision making process and enable project managers to justify the range of the solutions when the decision variables are intervals.