Progress in the integrity research of mechanical damage of oil and gas pipelines

Mechanical damage is the main reason led to pipeline accidents, and the integrity management on it has always been a difficult problem in the pipeline industry. Based on the pipelines' accident cases at home and abroad, the hazards and characteristics of pipeline mechanical damage are introduced. The research process in the integrity of pipeline mechanical damage worldwide is reviewed from evaluation technology, management technology and standards. Although some progress is achieved, so far there has been no authoritative guideline available to instruct the application practice. Technical problems to be solved in pipeline mechanical damage in detection, identification and evaluation are analyzed. For the research strategies in the integrity management of pipeline's mechanical damage, a research line diagram of "assessment-mitigation-prevention" is proposed, and key contents in different research fields about special subjects of mechanical damage of pipelines are given.