NEWS 2013

Posted October 15, 2013 (Updated November 12, 2013)

Event: November 19, 2013

GSE: Dr. Jim Oswell, Naviq Consulting Inc. - Several Case Histories of Pipeline Distress Induced by Landslides in South America

Location: Faculty Club, University of Alberta

Time: 11:45am Registration, 12:15pm Lunch, 12:30pm Presentation

Cost: $30 Members, $40 Non-Members, $10 Students

Note change in date and speaker.

Those countries in South America that are mountainous have traditionally experienced much higher rates of pipeline incidents caused by landslides than North America. The terrain and climatic conditions are two important factors that influence the negative interaction between slopes and pipelines.This presentation discusses several case histories in two South American countries where post-incident forensic investigations showed that landslides were the direct cause of the pipeline distress. In one unfortunate case, the loss of containment by the pipeline resulted in over 30 fatalities. The initial approach to the investigations and the subsequent geotechnical monitoring and results will be presented.

Jim Oswell, PhD, Principal Consultant, Naviq Consulting Inc. has practiced geotechnical engineering in western and northern Canada, and internationally for nearly 30 years. Many of these projects involve site investigations, laboratory testing, forensic analysis and evaluation and development of engineering study reports.

Dr. Oswell's primary expertise is in geotechnical issues related to pipelines and permafrost. Frequently, he has worked on pipelines in permafrost. He has senior consulting expertise on the following major pipeline projects in permafrost terrain: Mackenzie Gas Project, Norman Wells oil pipeline, Alaska North Slope Project, Denali Pipeline Project, Alaska Gas Project, Mohe-Daqing oil pipeline and Baydaratskaya Bay gas pipeline crossing.

In non-permafrost terrain, Jim has provided geotechnical engineering expertise on pipeline projects in Alberta, northern British Columbia, Russia, Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia. These projects have typically involved soil-pipe interaction studied and/or geohazard assessments.

Dr. Oswell has published over 30 technical conference and peer-reviewed journal papers, and was the keynote speaker at the 63rd Canadian Geotechnical Conference in Calgary. He is past chair of the Canadian National Committee of the International Permafrost Association and a past Vice President of the Canadian Geotechnical Society. He is presently an Associate Editor of the Canadian Geotechnical Journal.