Question:

Your article on vital energy arteries (Alternatives No. 15) prompted me to ask you a few questions. Why choose steel and not PVC, or some other high-performance alloy to build the pipelines? Is there a sensor system to detect leaks? Has a security plan been drawn up for underground or underwater transport, especially to prevent potential attacks?

Answer:

The projected operating life of an oil pipeline is 40 years. This requires exceptional construction material properties, including high resistance to corrosion, both from the acidic gases contained in the petroleum products and from the environment (especially marine), and high breaking strength to counteract freeze-thaw effects or fluctuating desert temperatures. It also requires a carefully controlled manufacturing process. Steel stands out from other materials for its excellent performance to industrial workability ratio. The pipelines are assembled in compliance with seismic standards. They are continuously monitored by means of a network of internal sensors and a remote monitoring system. They are subjected to non-destructive testing using robotics and ultrasound. When an accident occurs, emergency control valves are activated to isolate the damaged section and the pumping stations are shut down, preventing massive pollution on land or sea. Anti-terrorist plans are the responsibility of the countries through which the pipelines cross. The pipeline operators work to promote better risk assessment and to optimize their crisis management systems.