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Close up photo of pipelines against dusky sky

Consequence Modeling for a Carbon Capture & Storage CO2 Transport Pipeline

Reducing carbon emissions is quickly becoming a priority to combat climate change, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is a key strategy to help meet emission reduction goals. With the increase in CCUS operations, more pipelines will be built, or converted from transporting hydrocarbons, to transport CO₂.

As with any product transported by pipeline, there are risks associated with CO₂ transport. However, these risks are quite different from those of hydrocarbon products. The primary risk associated with a release of a large quantity of CO₂ is the displacement of oxygen that can cause an asphyxiation hazard. With this risk, it is necessary for pipeline operators to understand the potential consequences of an accidental loss of containment.

An undisclosed pipeline operator was considering converting an existing crude oil pipeline to transport CO₂ for the purposes of transporting captured carbon dioxide to a subsurface storage location. The pipeline traversed a large distance including both developed and rural areas.

Key details

Client

Confidential pipeline operator

Location

United States

Services provided

Modelling
Human health impacts
Environment
Health, Safety and Risk

Challenge

The first step for the operator was to assess the feasibility of this conversion, including gaining an understanding of the potential consequences if an accidental release were to occur and assessing potential mitigation options that may reduce those consequences.

They needed to understand the risk to sensitive receptors such as High Consequence Areas (HCAs) and how valve additions/changes would be able to help reduce the consequences of a CO₂ vapor release. They also needed an understanding of the sensitivity of the models to some of the assumptions that were made, such as leak sizes, pipeline operational conditions, and varying environmental conditions.

This information would then allow the operator to make an informed decision on if the risk was acceptable or not before proceeding with the project.

Solution

Consequence modeling was completed to assess a range of potential outcomes of a release and the sensitivity of those outcomes to various environmental, operational, and hazard level factors.

Pipeline running above ground in a green field with mountain backdrop

Result

The consequence modeling helped to identify potential impacts from a wort-case scenario, a full-bore rupture of the pipeline as a baseline. Additional consequence modeling was performed to assess the potential range of consequences considering smaller releases, changes to the operational characteristics of the pipeline, and a range of environmental and meteorological conditions. The valve placement study helped understand which valves may need to be upgraded or where new valves may want to be added to help reduce the consequence around certain receptor areas.