Pipeline Spacing Guidelines

In Russia, SNiP 2.05.06-85 [Reference 3] provides the following route selection

guidelines for main transmission pipelines:

• Pipeline routes shall be chosen to optimize all criteria, taking into account the costs of
installing, maintenance and repair; environmental protection; the amount of metal; the
construction scheme; safety precautions; duration and time of year of pipeline
installation; and the existence of roads, etc.
• The pipeline shall maximize the use of the existing ne twork of roads.
• Installation as single pipelines or when installed in a “technical corridor”, in parallel
with operating or future pipelines. Spacing between petroleum pipelines is covered in
Tables 6, 7 and 8 of Reference 3.

Spacing of Parallel Pipeline s

Pipeline Category Minimum Distance Between

Parallel Pipelines, Meters
Petroleum pipelines less than 400 mm diameter, 11
buried in forest areas
Petroleum pipelines from 400 mm to 700 mm 14
diameter, buried in forest areas
Petroleum pipelines from 700 mm to 1000 mm 15
diameter, buried in forest areas
Gas pipelines, buried in forest areas 16
Petroleum pipelines with diameter 1200 mm, 32
buried in forest areas
Gas pipelines, buried in Siberia, diameter less 60
than 700 mm
Gas pipelines, buried in Siberia, diameter greater 75
than 700 mm up to 1000 mm
Gas pipelines, buried in Siberia, diameter greater 100
than 1000 mm up to 1400 mm
Gas pipelines, set on the surface in Siberia, 50
diameter less than 700 mm
Gas pipelines, buried in Siberia, diameter greater 60
than 700 mm up to 1000 mm
Gas pipelines, buried in Siberia, diameter greater 80
than 1000 mm up to 1400 mm
Gas pipelines, one buried and one set on the 50
surface or above ground, in Siberia, diameter
less than 700 mm
Gas pipelines, one buried and one set on the 60
surface or above ground, in Siberia, diameter
greater than 700 mm up to 1000 mm
 Gas pipelines, one buried and one set on the 80
surface or above ground, in Siberia, diameter
greater than 1000 mm up to 1400 mm
Gas pipelines, both above ground, in Siberia, 40
diameter less than 700 mm
Gas pipelines, both above ground, in Siberia, 50
diameter greater than 700 mm up to 1000 mm
Gas pipelines, both above ground, in Siberia, 75
diameter greater than 1000 mm up to 1400 mm

Exceptions can be made in specific cases that will allow some reduction in pipeline
separation. However, consideration must be given to the space needed for pipeline
repair and replacement access.
• A “technical corridor” is a complex of parallel transmission pipelines, installed in a
single route, used for the transmission of petroleum or gas. On occasion, based on
feasibility studies and factors guaranteeing reliability of the pipeline systems, it is
allowable to install both types of pipelines in a single “technical corridor.”
• For petroleum pipelines less than 1000 mm diameter placed adjacent to roads, the
distance from the road shoulder to the pipeline axis shall be not less than 30 meters
(50 meters when more than 1000 mm.) according to Reference 3, Table 4, Installation
Criteria 3)
• For gas pipelines, the allowable distances from the pipeline to road shoulder are as
follows (Table 4 of Reference 3):

Separation of Gas Pipelines from other Installations

Gas Pipeline Category Minimum Separation Distance,

Meters from Service Roads
Parallel to Pipeline
Class 1, up to 300 mm 30
Class 1, more than 300 mm to 600 mm 50
Class 1, more than 600 mm to 800 mm 100
Class 1, more than 800 mm to 1000 mm 150
Class 1, more than 1000 mm to 1200 mm 175
Class 1, more than 1200 mm to 1400 mm 200
Class 2, up to 300 mm 30
Class 2, more than 300 mm 50

Class 1: gas pipeline pressures from 2.5 to 10 MPa (363 – 1450 psi)
Class 2: gas pipeline pressures from 1.2 to 2.5 MPa (174 – 363 psi)

• For gas pipelines installed in forests, the minimum distances from roads and railroads
may be reduced by 30%.
• These separation distances can be reduced by 30% if the pipeline category is changed
(Increase in pipe wall thickness for petroleum pipelines and full 100% radiographic
inspection of all welds for gas pipelines).
• In routing pipelines, there are other facilities that will require separation distances
from pipelines, according to Reference 3.
• In addition, Reference 3 advises that where pipelines are to be installed in permafrost
ground, subsurface ice conditions, heaving areas, thermal “karst” development areas,
icy slopes, clay and fully saturated soils should be avoided whenever possible.

No separation distances are stipulated between produced water pipelines and petroleum
and gas pipelines, as this document is understood to apply to main crude oil and gas
transmission pipelines and not oil production.

Note: This document provided by DuVal Dickey