The Influence of Permafrost Degradation on Golmud-Lhasa Oil Products Pipeline and Prevention Measures

The paper analyzes changing rules of ground temperature in Qinghai-Tiebet Plateau permafrost regions and points out that along with serious permafrost degradation over Golmud-Lhasa Oil Product Pipeline due to the warm-up climate of Qinghai-Tiebet Plateau, the location in burying depth for most pipeline segments are no longer the "weak freezing layer" with small water content, and less sensitive in freezing and thawing. Aiming at the unstable factors that carrying capacity of permafrost falls, pipeline sinking grows, seasonal thawing layer incrassates, and frost amount and frost force increase, the paper brings forward corresponding preventive measures to make geological survey over the pipeline and conduct leaking inspection to the pipeline segments in permafrost regions, and establish and carry out regular pigging and patrolling.