Proceedings of the ASME 2013 International Pipeline Geotechnical Conference

IPG2013
July 24-26, 2013, Bogota, Colombia

IPG2013-1935

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO EROSION OF PIPELINE RIGHTS-OF-WAY IN TROPICAL SOILS:

CASE OF A BRAZILIAN PIPELINE

Wanderley Camargo Russo Jr. Alcindo Pereira dos Santos Filho

Petrobras Transporte S.A. – TRANSPETRO Petrobras Transporte S.A. – TRANSPETRO
1 2
São Paulo, SP, Brazil Senador Canedo, GO, Brazil

Celso Rodrigues da Silveira Filho Cláudio dos Santos Amaral

Petrobras Transporte S.A. – TRANSPETRO Centro de Pesquisas da PETROBRAS – CENPES
2 3
Senador Canedo, GO, Brazil Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Maurício Martines Sales Carlos Alberto Lauro Vargas

Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG
4 4
Goiânia, GO, Brazil Goiânia, GO, Brazil

Patrícia de Araújo Romão Diego Tarley Ferreira Nascimento

Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG)
4 4
Goiânia, GO, Brazil Goiânia, GO, Brazil

ABSTRACT operation, seeking for an adherence on various geological,

TRANSPETRO is responsible, among other activities, by
operation and maintenance of pipelines throughout Brazil.
Particularly in the Midwest region the company operates the
OSBRA pipeline, which moves about 8.7 Mm³/years of fuel
and covers approximately 1,000 km long, predominantly in
tropical soils. Erosive processes are significant and constitute
the main geotechnical occurrence in OSBRA pipelines rights-
of-way. In order to identify the susceptibility to erosion of the
area close to the pipelines were developed basic thematic
maps, that overlaid will help in identifying homogeneous
zones in terms of existing material susceptibility. The
mapping is being accompanied by an extensive endeavor of
field inspections along the pipeline rights-of-way, that
comprised geotechnical investigations, verifying the
conditions of use and soil management, the conservation
status of existing drainage works and geotechnical
characterization of soil samples of major geological
formations, including erodibility tests. The methodology is
being developed in ArcGIS frame, starting from the
morphometric analysis and the use of Digital Elevation
Models (DEM), aiming to understanding superficial flow
conditions (acceleration and concentration) and consequent
soil loss. The modeling results will be compared with
historical occurrences erosive 15 (fifteen) years of pipeline
__________________________________________________
1
Rua Felipe Camarão, 393, São Caetano do Sul/SP - 09550-150
2
Rod SEN-001, km 1, Senador Canedo/GO – 75250-000
3 natural phenomena or external interference that present risk to
Av. Horácio Macedo, 950, Rio de Janeiro/RJ - 21941-915
4
Praça Universitária, s/n, Goiânia/GO - 74001-970
topographical and meteorological tested. The methodology
will improve further procedures for identifying potential
erosions in tropical soils and will allow to anticipating
preventive maintenance in the most susceptible locals the
pipeline rights-of-way, suggesting mitigation measures best
suited for each type of potential erosive mechanism.
INTRODUCTION
The pipeline São Paulo/Brasilia (OSBRA) transports
hydrocarbons derived (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc.), ethanol
and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for about 1,000 km long
in a region with predominantly tropical soils where erosion
processes are the main geotechnical occurrence, requiring
constant attention to identifying them in their early stage and
treat them with simpler solutions and lower cost.
The soils in tropical regions present a particular behavior.
The intense chemical intemperism in the region forms a soil
profile frequent in the Brazilian Cerrado, usually formed by a
fine soil, unsaturated and highly sensitive to variations in the
suction, being that heavy rains drastically alter their behavior
and cause the drift of soil particles, causing erosion.
Among the activities of the Pipeline Integrity Standard
(PID) PETROBRAS included geological and geotechnical
inspections of pipelines rights-of-ways to identify, register,
classify the risk and monitor the pipelines rights-of-ways and
adjacent areas, changes in soil and subsoil motivated by
the safety and structural integrity of the pipelines.

1 Copyright © 2013 by ASME

 In order to produce a risk map to identify areas most
susceptible to erosion the UFG (Federal University of Goiás),
along with TRANSPETRO, is developing a methodology for
determining the susceptibility to erosion of pipelines rights-of-
way. Additionally, will be obtained climatological,
pedological parameters and temporal evolution of erosions
along the pipeline rights-of-way.
Activities include the preparation of a geotechnical risk
map and field inspections with geologists and geotechnical
teams. Inspections are conducted in accordance with standard
PETROBRAS N-2775 and the schedule is established based
on studies of the determinants of vulnerability to rights-of-
way processes of geological and geotechnical nature of which
is susceptibility to erosion.
The erosive processes in pipelines rights-of-ways increase
the risks of third-party action by decreasing coverage and may
even reach the exhibition pipeline.
Also, contributing to the silting of watercourses, disrupt
productive areas and negatively affects the company's
relationship with its neighbors. The erosion process depends
on external factors such as the potential of rainfall erosivity,
the conditions of infiltration, runoff, slope length and slope
and also on internal factors such as, critical gradient and soil
erodibility. The importance and complexity of the various
parameters that contribute to the understanding of erosion
processes in tropical soils are subjects of research areas and
discussion forums of the academic community of the Midwest
region, as seen in Fácio (1991), Mortari (1994), Barsi et al.
(1999), Lima (1999), Camapum de Carvalho et al. (2006),
among other authors.
The erosion in the OSBRA pipeline rights-of-way were
also studied by Russo and Spagnolo (2009), as well as
maintenance costs resulting from erosion in pipelines rights-
of-ways (Gavassoni and Leite, 2010) and proposed for
mapping of erosive potential (Gavassoni and Costa, 2010) and
for the design of erosion control elements (Russo and
Gavassoni, 2011). In this paper, proposed stages for erosion
susceptibility mapping at the OSBRA pipeline rights-of-way
are presented.
METHODOLOGY
The study will consist of the following stages: evaluation
of inspections and maintenance historic of pipeline right-of-
way, a geotechnical characterization from field tests and
laboratory studies along the pipeline rights-of-way, GIS
generated and interpreted data and field inspections to confirm
suitability and of model parameters, which are presented
below:
Basic data and planning
Initially the compilation of existing data in digital format
was performed, such as cartographic base maps, soil use, soil
type, geomorphological data, geological data and other
geological and geotechnical information about the pipeline
rights-of-way for basic thematic mapping.
Also, a survey of satellite images and aerial photographs
in digital format was performed, available for areas of
contribution of erosion near the pipeline rights-of-way.
To determine erosivity the existing meteorological station
near and enclosed drainage basins from digital elevation
models was compiled.
2 Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Altimetric maps were drawn from contours levels, slope,
curvature, length and orientation of the slope sections for
analysis of surface flow conditions.
Also, maps of soil use were drawn from aerial and recent
satellite images, incorporating a preliminary assessment of the
environmental conditions of the pipelines (such as existence of
mechanized agriculture) and established a first approximation
of the Zoning Map regarding geotechnical conditions in the
surrounding and the pipeline rights-of-way.
The assembly of georeferenced database, as well as
treatment and analysis and updates are being prepared with the
use of Geographic Information Systems, specifically ArcGIS
program / ESRI. The digital database of georeferenced
information subsidized integrated analysis of hydric erosion
determinant factors. From this stage excerpts considered most
vulnerable to erosion for field inspections were selected,
including observation and registration of linear erosion,
collection of soil samples for determining erodibility,
collection of samples for testing expeditious characterization,
assay type PANDA penetration. The results of laboratory and
field information enabled the finalization of Geotechnical
Zoning maps (1:100,000 scale).
Laboratory tests and analysis of results
Laboratory tests that are being carried out are:
characterization tests, specific soil surface erosion
(Inderbitzen test) and disaggregation test.
The characterization tests are performed on samples
collected from the deformed points of interest to determine the
physical index of the soil (Table 1).
Table 1: Testing of physical characterization
TEST STANDARD
ABNT
Particle size (with the use of laser NBR 7181/84
particle size analyzer)
Density of grain NBR 6508/84
Moisture Content NBR 6457/86
Liquidity Limits NBR 6459/84
Limits Plasticity NBR 7180/84
The particle size distribution performed with a laser
particle size analyzer without using deflocculants was
compared with curves calculated according to the ABNT with
the objective of analyzing the structure of the soil related to
the mechanical behavior in natural condition.
Specific assays for surface erosion and disaggregation are
carried out in collected field soil samples. The objective of
these tests is to measure the erodibility of the soil samples
when subjected to a surface water flow, and also the strength
of the natural structure of these soils in the presence of water.
For these tests Inderbitzen test, qualitative assays of
disaggregation, assay Crumb Test, double-oedometer test and
MCT tests were performed, summarized below:
a) Inderbitzen Test: Evaluates the soil susceptibility to
erosion by laminar flow on its surface (erodibility). A sample
undeformed or compacted is placed at the base of a channel
through which a flow of water with controlled hydraulic
gradient is conducted. The water flow per unit area generates a
shear force on the surface and removes soil particles. The
mass and size ranges of the particles collected indicate the soil
loss during the test.
 b) Disaggregation Test: Checks soil stability when
immersed in distilled water. A soil sample is introduced into a
vessel containing water, then, reactions to the process of
submersion are observed. The test allows predicting the
behavior of soil when flooded with water and the ability of
water to disaggregate the soil.
c) Crumb Test: Qualitatively classifies the reaction of a
portion of ground in relation to the dispersion when flooded
with water. The test consists in placing a portion of soil (about
2 g) in a beaker containing 100 to 150 ml of distilled water.
Such portion must remain in the beaker for 1 h, verifying the
ability of the shedding of particles around the immersed
sample.
d) Double Oedometer Test: Compares the test results in
consolidation of natural and flooded conditions. Evaluates the
possibility of collapse or settlement by abrupt vertical
saturation and/or loading of the soil.
e) Rapid disk method of the MCT (Miniature-Compacted- Figure 2: Aerial photography with level curves and
Tropical) classification: In a sample molded insert shape geotechnical occurrence (in red)
(φ =5 cm and h=2 cm) it determines the type of soil
classification MCT and penetration resistance and contraction The level curves (with contour interval of 1 m) and marks
when dried in an oven. This test is a quick way to classify and of delimitation the pipeline rights-of-way were spatialized
correlate with the type of soil and with the susceptibility to with historical occurrences of erosion processes registered in
erosion. inspections and maintenance of TRANSPETRO, forming part
of georeferenced databases.
Treatment of data and presentation of results using For statistical analysis the meteorological station
geoprocessing techniques representative of each section of the pipeline was determined
The survey began with the digital map base on the scale using the methodology of Thiessen polygons (Fig. 3).
of 1:100,000 and smaller scales as other available. Information
compiled included: altitude, slope, orientation and curvature
of the slopes (horizontal and vertical) from the project
TOPODATA (which offers refinement and improvement of
the spatial resolution of the SRTM – Shuttle Radar
Topography Mission), ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne
Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer), with spatial
resolution of 30 m and sensor AVNIR-2 (Advanced Visible
and near Infrared Radiometer – Type 2) on board ALOS,
2011, with a spatial resolution of 10 m.

Figure 3: Definition of the influence of meteorological

stations by Thiessen polygons (in blue)

All files described were organized into a database and

compiled into a Geographic Information System, specifically
the ArcGIS software package ArcMAP 10, composing a
project in Geographic Coordinate System associated with the
South American Datum 1969 (DSS-69) – Fig. 4.

Figure 1: Satellite image Landsat 5, 2011

The images were processed according to the boundary of

the study area. To photointerpretation and georeferencing of
information used satellite images of 2011 Landsat 5 with
spatial resolution of 30 m (Fig. 1) and orthorectified digital
aerial photographs with spatial resolution of 50 cm (Fig. 2).

3 Copyright © 2013 by ASME

 orders of drainage basins, taking into account that the
crossings of waterways generally correlate to the most
susceptible areas to erosion. This fact is linked to the action of
water runoff on slopes. Therefore, 123 (one hundred twenty
three) drainage basins were delimited, mostly in second order,
according to the classification of Strahler (1952).

Figure 4: Layout of the files in ArcGIS 10 software design

Spatialization of these stations will allow elaborating an

erosivity map of local rain. The erosivity calculation will
consider the rain intensity but also correlating with rain
distribution (severe rain events).
The altimetric information regarding ASTER images
were processed to be extracted from the drains in greater detail Figure 7: Delineation of drainage basins
scale (1:50,000) – Fig. 5. Then, the drains were prioritized
according to the methodology of Strahler (1952) – Fig. 6. It is noteworthy that, both the information derived from
altimetry ASTER and TOPODATA images and the images
and products Landsat 5 and TOPODATA project (slope,
orientation of slopes, vertical and horizontal curvature), were
cut based on drainage basins delineated boundaries.
Later, the Digital Model Elevation (DME) was developed
based on information derived from altimetric ASTER images.
This analysis was performed by comparison of digital
elevation models and terrain, generated from images (ASTER
and TOPODATA).

Field Inspection
Observing basic and thematic maps (slope, land use,
geology, etc.) and the partial field works, some stretches of
OSBRA pipeline rights-of-way were selected to be inspected
in detail, as exemplified in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.

Figure 5: Drainage based on information extracted from

ASTER images altimetric

Figure 6: Hierarchy of Drainage as methodology Strahler Figure 8: Examples of thematic maps for field work - chart-
(1952) image and altimetry

Based on extracted drainage, drainage basins that cross Were identified 98 (ninety eight) occurrences of erosion
the pipeline were delimited (Fig. 7). We considered several and 58 (fifty eight) dams upstream pipeline. For each
occurrence the completed registration form PETROBRAS

4 Copyright © 2013 by ASME

standard N-2775 was inspected, containing the main observed Some dams were inspected and evaluated qualitatively if
characteristics. their conditions constituted a risk high or low for the pipeline
The expansion of the databank generated by field work in (Fig. 14).
selected portions, with the help of GIS programs, will allow
finishing the erosion susceptibility maps in order to identify
the most critical areas of the pipeline in semi-detailed scale
(1:25,000).

Figure 11: Erosion by washouts the banks of the stream

Figure 9: Examples of thematic maps for field work - slope

charts and geological

Figure 12: Crossing the pipeline for streams with erosion by

stepping the banks

Figure 10: Examples of thematic maps for field work- land

mapping and zoning of the land use

Main characteristics of erosion observed

The main problems observed in these visits were grouped
according to pipeline rights-of-way crossing, namely by
reservoirs (downstream, below or at the bottom of dams), for
drainages or watercourses (streams, rivers, etc.), for flooded
areas and passages of animals and close to areas with active
erosion.
During the field inspections it could be observed that the
erosion occurs constantly in crossings over streams (Fig. 11),
with the aggravating constant of animals crossing (Fig. 12). In
crossing the flooded regions shows that the soil,
predominantly sandy, is stepped on by animals that trigger the Figure 13: Erosion caused by the flow of the auxiliary
erosion process, which is accelerated in times of rain. spillway dam upstream of the pipeline rights-of-way crossing
In addition to erosion, dams located upstream of the
pipeline rights-of-way product also represent serious risks due In the regions close to large erosions where crosses the
to concentrated volume (Fig. 13). The effects of disruption of pipeline rights-of-way, as illustrated in Fig. 15, the main risk
dams pipelines rights-of-ways have been described by Souza
et al. (2007).

5 Copyright © 2013 by ASME

is that, if the process is not stabilized, erosion progresses
toward the pipeline, leaving it exposed and vulnerable.
The main action in this case is the stabilization process
with the deviation of water flow internal or external to
erosion. Moreover, when erosion processes starts in the
pipeline rights-of-way, as shown in Fig. 16, requires, in
addition to the solutions presented above, the execution of
works to protect the pipeline rights-of-way, as channeling the
remaining flow.
Figure 14: Fragility of the downstream slope of the dam
probably caused by the overtopping of the dam
Figure 15: Crossing the pipeline near erosions. In this case,
large erosion advances toward the pipeline rights-of-way
6 Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Figure 16: Crossing the pipeline with erosions that begin in
the of pipeline rights-of-way
CONCLUSIONS
Some conditions that trigger and/or accelerate the laminar
erosions were observed. Furthermore, the susceptibility to the
occurrence of linear erosional features we examined.
As comments/recommendations are given specific
interventions short and medium term in some instances, which
were described in more detail in the registration forms for
each occurrence.
The main results and benefits of the project are
summarized below:
• Preparation of chart of erosion susceptibility OSBRA
pipeline rights-of-way, with the index of soil erodibility and
the degree of susceptibility to erosion pipeline rights-of-way
stretches in the medium of semidetalhe scales (1:25,000 to
1:100,000);
• Results of geotechnical tests that enable a better
understanding of the geotechnical characteristics of the
unconsolidated material along the stretch OSBRA pipeline
rights-of-way;
• Assessment of the risk of damage to the pipeline caused by
the rupture of reservoirs installed upstream of the pipeline
rights-of-way;
• Suggestions for preventive and corrective maintenance of
the drainage system of OSBRA pipeline rights-of-way,
depending on the degree of susceptibility to erosion;
• Suggested methodological procedures to be applied in other
ranges of TRANSPETRO and incorporation of the results
obtained in the Standards PETROBRAS N-464, N-2775 and
Technical Specification and Drainage.
• Reduced occurrences of erosion by implementing preventive
actions appropriate to each level of susceptibility and
monitoring directed to the sensitive points;
• Decreased maintenance costs of pipeline rights-of-way from
reducing occurrences of device selection and more efficient
drainage to be applied on the slopes;
• Reducing the risks associated with erosion in pipelines,
environmental preservation areas and third party properties;
• Optimization of the inspection process by engaging more
attention and more frequent inspections in the most critical
areas.
• Generation of technology for the construction of new
pipelines or extensions.
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