An information entropy-based risk assessment method for multiple-media gathering pipelines

Unrefined and highly corrosive upstream petroleum resources and complex operating environments pose a significant threat to the integrity and safety of gathering pipelines. The present study proposed a novelty method to perform a risk assessment for gathering pipelines. The use of historical failure data developed a fishbone diagram model of hazard factors. The risk index system was developed based on the KENT method, including failure likelihood and failure consequence coefficient models. Information entropy theory was used to determine the weight of each indicator. Combined with the area-level safety design coefficient, The welding institute (TWI) method was improved to perform risk classification for different areas. The proposed method was applied to 81 gathering pipelines. Results demonstrated that the proposed method could meet the actual conditions of gathering pipelines, improving upstream energy security.