Determining lateral river channel activity with respect to safety of pipeline crossings

Abstract

When oil and gas pipelines cross rivers they are often buried in the ground
beneath the floodplain and river bed. There is a risk that river will expose the pipe by
lateral bank erosion, as well as bed erosion, and then there is a risk that the pipe will
break. Pipe failure can cause loss of revenue, repair and reparation costs, political
difficulties and adverse environmental impacts. Buried pipeline crossings correctly
located and engineered do not affect the flow hydraulics and river regime. Therefore,
pipeline crossing projects should be based on the study of natural processes including
those which lead to lateral movement of the channel.

This study deals with the scientific knowledge of a variety of channel types and
their evolution by lateral movements. The literature review and statistical analysis reveal
that the rates of bank erosion depend on the type of river channel pattern. Data from
different channel types are obtained from the literature with reference to a variety of
parameters which are then grouped depending upon the scale of the problem under
consideration (catchment, reach and local scales). These data for bank erosion rates are
analyzed to develop general relationships with such factors as size of river system, shape
of channel, bed type, gradient, riparian vegetation etc. Statistical examinations show that
there is strong correlation between bank erosion rate and the catchment area and with
channel geometry. Weak correlations with water discharge and with flow variability
suggest that bank erosion rates will not be changed significantly in the near future if
discharge and/or its variability alter under climate change. Results are used to provide
science-based recommendations to estimate lateral activity applicable to many regions of
the world.

More information

Identifiers

Catalogue record

Export record