Terrain and Geohazard Challenges facing Onshore Oil and Gas Pipelines

To access global oil and gas deposits, major pipelines must traverse remote regions with extreme terrains. There are a significant number of pipeline projects, active or planned, in tropical jungles, mountains and deserts, in permafrost and in areas of wetland. Each of these natural environments is associated with a range of geohazards, which may include landslides, soil erosion, karst, river migration, and seismic or volcanic activity. At the same time, society demands increasing availability and reliability of supply, together with improved environmental standards, all making for substantial challenges. In the past, guidelines have been few and approaches variable between projects. Nevertheless, best practices are beginning to emerge in some parts of the world and it is these that are being shared. This volume consisting of over 40 papers presents the proceedings of the International Conference on Terrain and Geohazard Challenges Facing Onshore Oil and Gas Pipelines. This was the first conference of its type, where the aim was of sharing new thinking and the promoting of engagement between pipeline designers and builders, geoengineers and environmental specialists and client organisations.