Comprehensive Analysis of Corrosion, Failure, and Environmental Impacts in Natural Gas Pipelines: A Case Study of the Carlsbad, New Mexico Incident

Pipeline networks are vital for transporting crude oil and natural gas from production sites to processing and distribution facilities, supplying over half of the world’s energy demand. However, the steel commonly used in pipeline construction is highly susceptible to corrosion, which remains a leading cause of leaks and failures in natural gas transmission systems. The catastrophic 2000 Carlsbad, New Mexico incident, where internal corrosion led to a fatal pipeline rupture operated by El Paso Natural Gas Company, underscores the severe risks associated with inadequate corrosion control programs. This report integrates a detailed analysis of the Carlsbad event within an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework. It explores the chemical, microbiological, technical, and organizational causes of the failure, as well as its environmental, social, and economic consequences. The study emphasizes that pipeline corrosion extends beyond a technical maintenance concern—it represents a multifaceted challenge with critical implications for safety, sustainability, and social responsibility.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Western Ontario

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Mahdiyeh Mallahi Karai

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hedberg, Yolanda

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/38946

OAI record oai:identifier

https://uwo.scholaris.ca/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Auwo.scholaris.ca%3A20.500.14721%2F38946