Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention

, Volume 11, Issue 3, pp 227–232 | Cite as

Pipeline Failure Results from Lightning Strike: Act of Mother Nature?

Case History---Peer-Reviewed
First Online:
Received:

Abstract

There are more than 2.5 million miles of oil and gas pipelines in the United States. Approximately 900 failures occurred on hazardous liquid pipelines from 2002 to 2003, and 9% of these failures were attributed to damages due to natural force, which included lightning strikes, among other naturally occurring events. This paper provides a case history in which failure analysis was applied to determine the metallurgical cause of a failure involving a polyethylene-coated hydrocarbon pipeline that leaked as a result of a lightning strike.

Keywords

Pipeline Lightning Failure Polyethylene Coating 
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References

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    Kaiser, B.A.: Lightning protection for pipeline compressor stations and other facilities. Pipeline Gas J. 232(11), 64 (2005)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© ASM International 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.DNV Columbus, Inc.DublinUSA

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