Analysis and prevention of geological hazards along the China-Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline

The geological conditions along the China-Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline (Myanmar section) are complex, and this pipeline crosses the Ruokai Mountains and the North Myanmar Plateau. The surface is disturbed in the large area and the original landform is changed during the construction period. And the re-filled soil after pipeline laying has low mechanical strength and strong water sensitivity. Therefore, due to the effects of heavy rainfall and floods during the flood season, a great number of geological hazards occur along the pipeline, e.g. landslides, water damage to river channels, water damage on slopes and failure of existing hydraulic projects, resulting in pipeline exposure and suspension in many positions, which seriously threaten the operation safety of the pipeline. In this paper, the types, causes and structural characteristics of the geological disasters along the pipeline were mainly analyzed, and the measures for the prevention of geological hazards in the Ruokai Mountains and the North Myanmar Plateau were proposed respectively, so as to provide reference for similar projects.