Advancements in long-distance pipeline management standards of Australia

Safety is very important for oil and gas pipelines. All pipeline enterprises are required to establish sophisticated pipeline management procedures to protect safety of pipelines against excavation, explosion, perforation for oil stealing and other forms of the third-party damages. Currently, related to pipeline safety management on state levels in American and European countries have been carried out in China. But there are few researches related to recommended practices for pipeline operators. Taking the AS 2885.3-2012 as an example, this paper reviews pipeline commissioning, public warning, route patrolling, used pipeline, and pipeline abandonment and other advanced concepts in pipeline management standards of Australia. For example, pipelines with commissioning delayed and used pipelines are managed as in-service pipelines, pipeline management programs and emergency programs are made known to the public so to as enhance their awareness of pipeline protection, detailed pipeline route patrolling is conducted strictly, and uniformed telephone "alarm-call" system is established to regulate the third-party operations and detailed treatment of abandoned pipelines is made. Finally, with consideration to advancements in Australian standards, it is proposed to promote technical levels of pipeline management in China.