Application of Reliability Analysis to Investigate Pipeline Failure

Abstract

This research work focuses on the application of reliability analysis to investigate ALakiri-Notore-Onne gas pipeline systems. Data of the pipeline system, including pipeline compressor, relief valve, incorrect operation, longitudinal weld crack, and third-party damage for a period of seven years (2014-2020) was collected from the company. The exponential distribution method was used in investigating the failure trend, reliability, and meantime between failures. The results of the analysis conducted show that the failure rate increases to its maximum value of (0.00457/year) in the year 2020. The failure rate of the pipeline compressor was 0.0001142 /year but increased to a maximum value (0.000457/year). The failure rate of the pipeline relief valve was maximum (0.0003427/year) in the year 2020. The minimum and maximum rates of the pipeline due to pipeline interference were 0.0001142/year and 0.0002284/year, respectively. The failure rate of pipelines due to incorrect operation increases to 0.0005714/year. The reliability of the pipeline system due to the compressor was 0.3679. However, the maximum unreliability of the system due to the compressor was 0.9818. The average reliabilities of 0.2228, 0.3014 and 0.1396 for pipeline systems due to relief valve, third party interference and Longitudinal weld crack respectively, in the seven years for the periods investigated were obtained. Similarly, the minimum meantime between failures of the pipeline components was the compressor, 2188 hours; relief valve, 2918 hours; longitudinal crack, 2188 hours; incorrect operation, 1750 hours. The average meantime between failures of the Alakiri-Notore-Onne gas pipeline system is 2188 hours. The result was able to estimate the meantime between failure and it also shows that reliability decreases with time.