(a) whether the Government has any monitoring system in place to check various oil pipelines
in the country for immediate detection in the event of any leakages;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether oil Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have certain protocols for decommissioning of
old oil pipelines;
(d) if so, the details thereof, company-wise; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) and (b): Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies(OMCs) have implemented Supervisory Control
and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System for effective identification, monitoring and control of
leakages in the pipelines. This system involves monitoring of various parameters of pipeline
operations like flow, pressure/volume of crude/products etc. These operating parameters are
monitored by OMCs round the clock and in case of detection of any leakage, immediate remedial
action is initiated. Besides, oil companies have also taken the following measures:
i) Intensive patrolling of the entire pipeline network by dedicated teams;
ii) Fitting of gas pipe lines with Hi-Lo valves;
iii) Intelligent pigging of trunk lines to monitor the health of pipelines;
iv) Pipelines Integrity Management programme and practices to manage pipelines integrity.
v) Installation of CCTVs at Sectionalizing Valve (SV) and Cathodic Protection (CP) Stations.
(c) to (e): Oil Industry Safety Directorate(OISD)-Standard-141 “Design, Construction and
Inspection Requirements of Cross country Pipelines†lays down the necessary protocol/guidelines
to be followed by oil companies for detection and management of oil leakages. Clause 5.3.5 of OISD
Standard-141 states that cross country pipeline system shall be equipped with following:
a) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System for pipeline length of 50 Km and
above or line fill of 5000 Kl and above except jetty pipelines.
b) Leak detection system with provision for identification/location of leak and isolation
of affected section from remote operation for pipeline length of 50 Km and above or line fill of
5000 Kl and above.
As per the OISD Standard, de-commissioning of old pipeline is required to be carried out
by the oil companies.