Management of Geohazards in the Interest of Owners and Operators of Onshore Pipelines

This chapter on the management of geohazards in the interest of owners and operators of onshore pipelines is from the proceedings of an international conference on the terrain and geohazard challenges facing onshore oil and gas pipelines (June 2004, London, United Kingdom). The authors first mention the evolution of the pipeline industry from a reactive approach to proactive practices that incorporate geohazard assessments and engineering into the planning and design process. They ask owners and operators to be flexible as these changes happen and to stay open-minded about the potential benefits, including cost benefits, of the proactive approach. The authors discuss geohazard management budgets, the evolution of geohazard management practices, available guidelines for geohazard management, training and experience of practitioners, resources needed by practitioners, and contracting geohazard consulting services. The chapter concludes with a list of nine specific recommendations for managers who are seeking to embrace this trend towards proactive geohazard management.