Upgrading of pipeline regions and control of public security risks

In China now, total pipelines have reached nearly 11×10⁴ km, contributing to a backbone network. With the economic development, the regions where pipelines go through become more dense-populated and change to Class III and Class IV from original Class I and Class II. In this circumstance, the initial design is no longer applicable. If all pipelines are treated by depressurization, replacement or relocating, the costs must be high and new risks must occur. Considering the pipeline risks, this paper systematically discusses the upgrading of pipeline regions, and provides the requirements for such upgrading in China by referring to the laws and regulations on upgrading management in other countries. Moreover, this paper puts forward the measures to be taken after the upgrading of pipeline region is approved and gives further explanation through case analysis. Proper addressing of pipeline region upgrading is significant for the public security management and economic benefit of pipelines.