Objective Extreme events such as natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and cyberattacks pose significant threats to the safe operation of China’s oil and gas pipelines. To systematically identify core risks, understand their mechanisms, and develop effective prevention strategies, targeted research is urgently needed to enhance the resilience and reliability of national pipelines under extreme conditions. Methods Typical cases of extreme events involving oil and gas pipelines, both at home and abroad, were systematically compiled through literature review and case analysis. The inducement mechanisms, failure modes, emergency responses, and post-disaster support mechanisms of these events were thoroughly analyzed, and the action characteristics and evolution patterns of various extreme events were revealed. Results Five core extreme risk factors threatening the safety of oil and gas pipeline systems were identified and refined: extreme natural disasters, terrorist attacks, local wars, electrical fire sources, and cyberattacks. Their typical manifestations and damage mechanisms were systematically analyzed. Based on this, five practical prevention strategies were proposed: enhancing monitoring and early warning, strengthening physical emergency response, ensuring strategic backups, rigorously enforcing technical controls, and establishing a comprehensive defense system. Conclusion The research has identified the primary risk factors associated with extreme oil and gas events and proposed specific implementation paths for prevention and control measures. These findings provide theoretical support and technical guidance for the safety design and operational management of China’s oil and gas pipelines under complex and evolving extreme risks. They also serve as a foundation for improving the national energy infrastructure safety system, formulating targeted pipeline protection policies, and developing emergency preparedness strategies. This research offers both theoretical reference and practical guidance for enhancing the risk resilience and reliable operation of China’s oil and gas pipeline systems under extreme scenarios.