Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Estimates on thermal impact of gas-line and alleviating effect of countermeasures in patchy permafrost of northwestern China

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Linear engineering across cold regions has a negative effect on the stability of underlying permafrost. The permafrost degradation affected by engineering activities would induce ground thaw settlement; hence, the feedback from ground alternation would damage the engineering structure conversely, which is detrimental to both engineering safety and the surrounding environment there, especially differential thaw settlement in patchy permafrost. To detect the engineering influence of gas pipeline on permafrost environment, a series of field monitoring was conducted and a numerical model considering the phase changing was introduced to simulate the thermal dynamic of underlying frozen soil and estimate the effect of several countermeasures chosen to alleviate the thermal disturbance from the pipeline. The results show that frozen soil was unstable and easy to degrade because of thermal disturbance from the pipeline—the active layer thickness is 1.5~2.0 m while the maximum thawing depth under the pipe goes over 7.0 m. Both cooling gas temperature and applying insulation layer would alleviate the permafrost degradation, but in different degrees of effect. The former did not have a significant alleviation for permafrost degrading, especially in the short term, while the latter was more effective during the whole life.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (1971) Summary: project description of the trans Alaska pipeline system. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, Alaska

  • Bayasan RM, Korotchenko AG, Volkov NG, Pustovoit GP, Lobanov AD (2008) Use of two-phase heat pipes with the enlarged heat-exchange surface for thermal stabilization of permafrost soils at the bases of structures. Appl Therm Eng 28(4):274–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2006.02.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berg RL, Wright EA (1984) Frost action and its control. In: Technical council on cold regions engineering monograph. ASCE, New York, pp 45–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonacina C, Comini G, Fasano A, Primicerio M (1973) Numerical solution of phase-change problems. International Journal of Heat & Mass Transfer 16(10):1825–1832. https://doi.org/10.1016/0017-9310(73)90202-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrener L, Korin E (1999) Thawing and refreezing around a buried pipe. Chem Eng Process 38(3):239–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0255-2701(98)00084-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess MM (1992) Analysis of the pipe and ditch thermal regime, Norman Wells Pipeline. Paper presented at the 11th international conference on off shore mechanics and arctic engineering, Calgary, Canada, June 1992

  • Burgess MM, Lawrence DE (1997) Thaw settlement in permafrost soils: 12 years of observations on the Norman Wells Pipeline right-of-way. Paper presented at the 50th Canadian geotechnical society conference, Ottawa, October 1997

  • Burgess MM, Smith SL (2003) 17 years of thaw penetration and surface settlement observations in permafrost terrain along the Norman Wells Pipeline. In: Phillips M, Springman SM, Arenson LU (eds) Permafrost. Swets, Canada, pp 107–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Hu W, Jin H, Yu W, Tong C, Brewer MC (2006) Design modes, changes and construction process of the Alyeska Pipeline. Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation 25(12):1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Ji C, Huang J, Liu C (2011b) Strain monitoring and prediction system for the buried pipeline in permafrost area. The Chinese J of Geo Hazard and Control 22(4):122–126. https://doi.org/10.16031/j.cnki.issn.1003-8035.2011.04.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen P, Yang B, Wang M (2011a) Geological disaster risk analysis and management solutions for mohe-daqing oil pipeline in permafrost regions. Oil & Gas Storage and Transport 30(8):621–623

  • Chen J, Li K, Sheng Y, Feng Z (2014) Variations and influencing factors of the water temperature within the pipe buried in seasonally frozen ground areas. J Glaciol Geocryol 36(4):836–844. https://doi.org/10.7522/j.issn.1000-0240.2014.0100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen L, Fortier D, McKenzie JM, Sliger M (2020) Impact of heat advection on the thermal regime of roads built on permafrost. Hydrol Process 34:1647–1664. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comini G, Guidice SD, Lewis RW, Zienkiewicz OC (1974) Finite element solution of non-linear heat conduction problems with special reference to phase change. Int J Numer Methods Eng 8(3):613–624. https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.1620080314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumais S, Konrad JM (2018) Large-strain nonlinear thaw consolidation analysis of the inuvik warm-oil experimental pipeline buried in permafrost. J Cold Reg Eng 33(1):040180141–0401801412. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CR.1943-5495.0000179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng S, Zhang X, Ma T, Li R, Cai Y, Chen P, Ma Y (2014) Thaw settlement prevention and temperature monitor of Mohe-Daqing Crude Oil Pipeline in permafrost marsh zone. Oil & Gas Storage and Transport 33(5):478–483. https://doi.org/10.6047/j.issn.1000-8241.2014.05.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gan S (1988) Finite element technique and program. Beijing Institude of Technology Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Gong Q, Wang H, Zhu L, Xu H, Gu Z, Chao H, Lin N, Shen L (2017) Characteristics and variations of the ground temperature field in Liaoning Province. J Glaciol Geocryol 39(3):505–514. https://doi.org/10.7522/j.issn.1000-0240.2017.0057

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hastaoglu MA, Hakim AA (2004) Freezing time predictions of buried pipes: a 3-D transient simulation. Chem Engineering & Technol 19(3):243–248. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.270190309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He S, Yu W, Chen W, Yu Z, Jin H (2008) Non-linear analysis of temperature fields around the buried oil-pipeline in permafrost regions , Northeast China. J Glaciol Geocryol 30(2):287–295

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang P (2014) Se-Ning-Lan long pipeline along types and mechanism of geological disasters. Shanxi Architecture 40(4):53–55. https://doi.org/10.13719/j.cnki.cn14-1279/tu.2014.04.028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin H, Brewer MC (2005) Experiences and lessons learned in the engineering design and construction in the Alaska Arctic. J Glaciol Geocryol 27(1):140–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin H, Yu W, Chen Y, Gao X, Li F, Yao Z (2005) (Differential) frost heave and thaw settlement in the engineering design and construction of oil pipelines in permafrost regions: a review. J Glaciol Geocryol 27(3):454–464

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin H, Hao J, Chang X (2010) Zonation and assessment of frozen-ground conditions for engineering geology along the China-Russia crude oil pipeline route from Mohe to Daqing, northeastern China. Cold Regions Science & Technology 64(3):213–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2009.12.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lachenbruch AH (1970) Some estimates of the thermal effects of a heated pipeline in permafrost. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lai Y, Wu Z, Zhu Y, Zhu L (1999) Nonlinear analyses for the couple problem of temperature, seepage and stress fields in cold region tunnels. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 21(5):529–533

    Google Scholar 

  • Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology & Cryopedology and Desert, Chinese Academy of Science (1975) Permafrost. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Liu S, Feng Y, Liu K, Zhang C (2013) Numerical study on the effect of frost heave prevention with different canal lining structures in seasonally frozen ground regions. Cold Regions Science & Technology 85(1):242–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2012.09.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang P (2006) Natural gas operation technology and safety management. Chemical Industry Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin D (2011) China's transnational oil and gas pipeline safety analysis. Master's thesis, China Foreign Affairs University

  • Liu G, Zhao L, Xie C, Pang Q, Du E, Qiao Y (2016) Variation characteristics and impact factors of the depth of zero annual amplitude of ground temperature in permafrost regions on the Tibetan Plateau. J Glaciol Geocryol 38(5):1189–1200. https://doi.org/10.7522/j.issn.1000-0240.2016.0139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu G, Yue Y, Lv W, Wang K, Duan Y, Zhang B, Long P (2020) Permafrost problems and countermeasures along transmission lines in Laji Mountain of Qinghai Province. Electric Power Survey & Design 2:45–50. https://doi.org/10.13500/j.dlkcsj.issn1671-9913.2020.02.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nixon JF, Burgess M (1999) Norman Wells Pipeline settlement and uplift movements. Can Geotech J 36(1):119–135. https://doi.org/10.1139/t98-092

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyman KJ (1983) Thaw settlement analysis for buried pipelines in permafrost. In: Pickell MB (ed) Pipelines in adverse environments II. ASCE, New York, pp 300–325

    Google Scholar 

  • Pang L, Wang J (2004) Research on the temperature field of the underground straight buried pipe with hot medium. J System Simulation 16(3):485–487

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu G, Liu J, Liu H (1994) Geocryological glossary. Gansu Science & Technology Press, Lanzhou

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadegh AM, Jiji LM, Weinbaum S (1987) Boundary integral equation technique with application to freezing around a buried pipe. Int J Heat & Mass Transf 30(2):223–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/0017-9310(87)90110-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seligman BJ (2000) Long-term variability of pipeline–permafrost interactions in North-West Siberia. Permafr Periglac Process 11(1):5–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1530(200001/03)11:1%3C5::AID-PPP335%3E3.0.CO;2-C

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi R (2018) Disease mechanism analysis and numerical simulation of positive temperature gas-pipe in segregated frozen ground based on hydrothermal coupling effect. Master's thesis, Lanzhou Jiaotong University

  • Shi R (2019) Measurement and analysis of the ground temperature field with positive temperature gas pipeline in permafrost regions. J Glaciol Geocryol 41(4):865–874. https://doi.org/10.7522/j.issn.1000-0240.2019.0030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith SL, Burgess MM, Riseborough DW (2008) Ground temperature and thaw settlement in frozen peatlands along the Norman Wells Pipeline Corridor, NWT Canada: 22 years of monitoring. Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Permafrost, Fairbanks, June 2008

  • Speer T, Watson GH, Rowley R (1973) Effects of ground-ice variability and resulting thaw settlements on buried warm-oil pipelines. Paper presented at the 2nd international conference on permafrost, Yakutsk, July 1973

  • Sykes JF, Lennox WC, Charlwood RG (1974) Finite element permafrost thaw settlement model. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts 12(7):92. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(75)90421-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson SR, Tart RG (1996) Driven pile capacities in warm permafrost in Komi Republic, Russia. In: Cold regions engineering: The cold regions infrastructure—An international imperative for the 21st Century. Russia. ASCE, New York, pp 254–265

    Google Scholar 

  • Trifonov OV, Cherniy VP (2012) Elastoplastic stress–strain analysis of buried steel pipelines subjected to fault displacements with account for service loads. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng 33(1):54–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2011.10.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Jin H, Li G, Tong C (2015) Secondary geohazards along the operating Mohe-Jagdaqi Section of China-Russia Crude Oil Pipeline in permafrost regions: a case study on a seasonal frost mound at the site MDX364. J Glaciol Geocryol 37(3):731–739. https://doi.org/10.7522/j.issn.1000-0240.2015.0082

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang F, Li G, Ma W, Wu Q, Serban M, Vera S, Alexandr F, Jiang N, Wang B (2019) Pipeline–permafrost interaction monitoring system along the China–Russia Crude Oil Pipeline. Eng Geol 254:113–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.03.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waters E (1974) Heat pipes to stabilize pilings on elevated Alaska Pipeline sections. Pipeline & Gas J 201(10):46–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei X, Niu Z, Li Q, Ma J (2018) Potential failure analysis of thawing-pipeline interaction at fault crossing in permafrost. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng 106:31–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2017.12.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wen Z, Sheng Y, Ma W, Qi J (2005) Evaluation of EPS application to embankment of Qinghai–Tibetan Railway. Cold Regions Sci & Technol 41(3):235–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2004.11.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Zhu Y, Guo C, Su Q, Ma W (2005) Multifield coupling model and its applications for pile foundation in permafrost. Sci China (Series D) 35(4):378–385. https://doi.org/10.1360/082004-175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie D (2016) Design and construction of a gas pipeline in frozen soil. Soil Engineering and Foundation 30(3):355–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu X, Fu L (1983) Conversion of relevant parameters of ground-atmosphere system and determination of depth of seasonal thawing. Paper presented at the 2nd national conference on permafrost, Lan Zhou, October 1983

  • Xu W, Liang Z, He M, Lv Z, Zhong G, Li P (2006) Study on the scheme of pipeline orientation measurement. J Southwest Petrol Inst 28(5):96–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu X, Wang J, Zhang L (2010) Frozen soil physics. China Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Zakharov AI, Khrenov NN (2004) ERS DINSAR observations of gas pipelines located in permafrost area of Siberia. CiteSeerX. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.558.5332&rep=rep1&type=pdf. Accessed 26 March 2019

  • Zhang R, Jiang H, Wang Z (2016) Frost heaving damage of water channel in cold regions: chain analysis and disaster mitigation research. J Glaciol Geocryol 38(6):1607–1614. https://doi.org/10.7522/j.issn.1000-0240.2016.0188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng P (2011) Numerical simulation for coupling of water, temperature, and stress fields of underground oil pipeline in cold region. Doctoral thesis, China University of Petroleum (East China) 

  • Zhu L (1988) Study of the adherent layer on different types of ground in permafrost regions on the Qinghai-Xizang plateau. J Glaciol Geocryol 10(1):8–14

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the editors and reviewers for their insightful comments and valuable suggestion on the manuscript, which give us available opportunity to produce progressive improvement of the current work.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (no. 51268033, no. 41771073, and no. 41871061), the Major Research Project of China National Petroleum Corporation (no. XG11-2015-002), and the Key Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (grant no. ZDRW-ZS-2020-1).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Rui Shi & Zhi Wen

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China

    Rui Shi

  3. Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Dong-gang West Road 320, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China

    Xu Wang & Zhi Wen

  4. State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Desheng Li

Authors
  1. Rui Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xu Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhi Wen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Desheng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

WX conceived and designed the study. SR performed the data analyses and wrote the manuscript. WZ helped perform the analysis with constructive discussions. LD reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhi Wen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shi, R., Wang, X., Wen, Z. et al. Estimates on thermal impact of gas-line and alleviating effect of countermeasures in patchy permafrost of northwestern China. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 2601–2616 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-02076-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-02076-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation