Development of a Low-Cost Prototype System for Pipeline Operational and Vandalism Spillage Detection and Validation Framework

Crude oil spillage is a major challenge in Nigeria. It affects the environment, health, life, and livelihood of residents of the Niger Delta region, where oil is explored, processed, and transported via a network of pipelines. Oil spillage is primarily caused by vandalization/sabotage and operational issues such as corrosion, equipment failure, operation, and maintenance errors. Thus, prompt response is required to mitigate the impact of oil spills. In this study, we deployed low-cost Arduino systems, including sensors (vibration and flow), modules (GPS and Wifi) and an IoT platform (ThingSpeak) to detect spillage caused by vandalism and operational inefficiencies proactively. The results demonstrate that low-cost sensors can detect changes in the flow volume between the inflow and outflow attributable to spillage, and vibration shocks caused by vandalism can be detected and linked to the cause of the spillage and communicated in real time to inform response action. Moreover, we proposed a framework for field validation utilizing KoboToolBox (a crowdsourcing/citizen science platform). The prototype system designed and programmed showed promising results, as it could detect spillage for vandalism and operational scenarios in real-time, quantify the volume of spillage, and identify the location and time of spillage occurrence;indicators relevant for response planning to minimize the impact of oil spillage. A video demonstration of the prototype system developed is accessible via: https://youtu.be/wKa9MZvYf1w. .

Improving Supply Chain Strategies towards Mitigating the Effect of Crude Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry: A Case Study of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

Generically, SCM may be said to include all activities carried out to ensure proper functioning of the supply chain. The activities included in proper management of a supply chain broadly include logistics activities, planning and control of the flow of information and materials in a firm, management of relationships with other organizations and government intervention, However, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism are established products supply chain disruptors in Nigeria which are rendering the task of running an efficient petroleum supply chain onerous. This paper aims to establish the importance of effective supply chain strategies for companies in the oil and gas industry with special focus on the Nigerian oil and gas sector and the strategies by which the state oil and gas corporation in this sector may mitigate disruptions to its supply chain. This study investigates the enhancement of supply chain strategies towards meeting the challenge of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, using the Nigerian National Corporation (NNPC) as a case study. Based on this study, data were collected from two sources: A summary of incident reports obtained from NNPC and an interview with personnel in the PPMC Department. Incident report refers to a report produced when accidents such as equipment failure, injury, loss of life, or fire occur at the work site. Content analysis is utilized to evaluate data obtained from interview responses, CBN financial stability reports, NDIC annual reports, circulars, banking supervision reports and implementation guidelines. The study found out that NNPC should endeavor to sustain its value chain and ward of pipeline vandals and crude oil thieves by engaging in community partnership, detailing security outfits to ensure its pipelines’ right of way and bridging. Concluded that the oil supply chain of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has been plagued by disruptions in the form of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism which has had debilitating effects on its value.

Asset Integrity Management in Mitigating Oil and Gas Pipeline Vandalism in the Niger Delta Region—Deep Burial Solution

Pipelines, as means of transportation of water and hydrocarbon have been considered “effective, safe and reliable”. Over the years, pipeline failures in Niger Delta region of Nigeria have resulted in loss of lives, water pollution, soil contamination, air pollution, destruction of infrastructures and aquatic lives, and other losses. The study area, Niger Delta region is located on Latitude 4°50' 00"N, longitude 6°00'00"E and comprised of nine coastal states of Nigeria (about 70,000 km2). Failure data were collected using: Questionnaires administered to experienced pipeline engineers in the International oil and gas companies (IOCs), Personnel interviews, and reports from the Department of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). This study assessed the strategies employed by four IOCs to mitigate pipeline failures in the process of asset integrity management. Design and construction methods detailing pipelines laying to infiltration discouraging-depth were studied. The results obtained showed that vandalism is presently the major cause of pipeline failures. Deep burial solution was therefore explored as a vandalism mitigation approach and its cost of implementation for a typical Φ20"× 15 km trunkline in the region showed 9.627% (≈809.3 million Naira) rise compared to the normal burial option, and this difference accrued mainly from equipment and personnel cost. This is a paltry sum compared to the huge losses due to vandalism. Finally, this study posits that the available regulatory framework is now inadequate for pipeline design, construction, and operations due to this challenge and requires urgent amendment in favour of deep burial option.

Traffic sign vandalism and demographics of local population:A case study in Utah

Among the different types of traffic sign damage, vandalism is exclusively caused by humans. Traffic sign vandalism is a serious concern, since it can lead to an increase in unsafe driving behaviors. In addition, it results in increased costs to transportation agencies to replace, repair, or maintain the vandalized signs. This paper examines the association between the local population demographics and traffic sign vandalism rates in the State of Utah. To accomplish this goal, sign data of over 97,000 traffic signs across Utah were digitally collected by an equipped vehicle. Sign damage data were obtained from the inspection of daytime digital images taken of each individual sign. Demographic data of Utah＇s counties, including population density, ethnicity, age, income, education, and gender, were obtained from the U.S. Census. The association between demographic groups and vandalism rates was tested using chi-square and trend tests. The results reveal that the most statistically significant variables comprise median household income, completion of at least an associate degree, and population density. According to the fitted linear regression model, a relationship exists between sign vandalism rate and local population demographic. The findings of this investigation can assist transportation agencies in identifying areas with a higher likelihood of sign vandalism, based on demographic characteristics. Such information can then be used to encourage scheduled sign inspections and to implement various countermeasures to prevent sign vandalism.

Landscape Destruction of the Potala Palace Square in Tibet

This paper, with the Potala Palace Square as the object of study, uses the post occupancy method to carry out a field investigation in a joint manner of questionnaire survey, interviews and behavioral trails observation, so as to analyze the landscape destruction behavior of the Potala Palace Square. The results show that the existing problems in design and management of that square as well as the public are responsible for the destruction; male foreign tourists in all ages, who mostly are the unemployed, students and service employees, prove to be destructors. The Potala Palace Square is characterized by regionalism. Opinions on green effect, management and other options of inland public and local residents vary from one to another. Designers and the administrative department of the square are required to come up with countermeasures to avoid the destruction. In practical design, designers must comply with the thinking of "Design Must be for People" and natural ecological principles, and the administrative department should scientifically manage and maintain the square.