Pipeline Risk Assessment: Third Party Interference

According to Wall Street Journal review, there were 1,400 pipeline spills and accidents in the US 2010-2014. Four in every five pipeline accidents are discovered by local residents, not the companies that own the pipelines. Nowadays, third party interference caused 50% accidents in pipeline industry.  The causes of the third party interference event are hard to be forecasted and sometimes beyond control of pipeline operator. In order to facilitate risk assessment, it is crucial to classify the threats of third party interference. By grouping the risk of third party interference, the decision makers can make appropriate safety-related actions to prevent the incidents and to mitigate their possible consequences.