Determination of the Oil Pipeline Route, Oil Spill Path and Volume of Oil by Multi-Criteria Analysis

Abstract

This thesis study focuses on implementing Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to identify potential spill locations and estimate crude oil pipeline routes. A groundbreaking approach introduces a least-cost path algorithm, which aids in determining an optimal pipeline route that navigates topological and geographical complexities. This optimal path ensures both environmental preservation and socio-economic sustainability. A comparison is carried out between a conventional route-finding technique and the GIS-based approach, thus shedding light on the strengths and limitations of both methods in the context of pipeline planning and construction efficiency. In the experimental results, the simplified route exhibited a shorter length of 148.99 km compared to the existing 155.83 km route, and also demonstrated lower costs of 129,053.00 compared to the existing route's 160,958.00.

Furthermore, the study pioneers a cartographic line simplification technique aimed at reducing complex topological combinations and eliminating unnecessary detours in pipeline routes. This strategy results in a more practical and realistic approach toward pipeline construction by removing high vertex points from the proposed route. Notably, the number of vertex points was reduced to 170 in the simplified route compared to 772 in the 30 m DEM route. Exploiting GIS technology, remarkably Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and state-of-the-art algorithms, the research predicts possible pipeline leakages and spills. Upon meticulous analysis, the accuracy of the sampled dataset improved from 84% to 93% after excluding erroneous pixels. High-risk regions can be identified by assessing terrain slope, pipeline pressure, and soil type. This proactive approach enables effective emergency planning and better resource allocation and potentially mitigates the environmental impact of oil spills. In conclusion, this study highlights the immense potential of merging GIS capabilities and innovative algorithms in pipeline route planning and spill prediction, thus reducing potential environmental damage from oil spills.