Analysis of thermal and ground interaction of main oil pipeline systems in extreme conditions

The development of the oil and gas complex in Russia is currently associated with intensive development of oil and gas fields located in remote from consumers for thousands of kilometers of eastern and northern areas characterized by complex climatic and geocryological conditions. Trouble-free transportation hydrocarbons to the consumer is one of the priorities ensuring the economic security of the state. Safety and reliability of operation of underground main oil pipelines laid in the permafrost zone depend on a number of natural and technogenic factors. Rich industry experience fully reveals the serious problems that arise when design, construction and operation of gas and oil transport highways on permafrost soils. The main danger for underground main oil pipelines laid in the permafrost zone, represents the formation of a soil thawing halo around the pipeline. Thaw leads to uneven subsidence of the soil, the formation thermokarst sinkholes and, as a result, to bending and damage oil pipeline.