Phd ThesisIn Nigeria, downstream transportation and distribution of petroleum products is mainly
done using pipelines and truck tanker transport systems. These systems have been linked
to substantial accidents/incidents with consequences on human safety and the
environment. This thesis proposes a risk management framework for the pipelines and
road truck tanker transport systems. The study is based on a preliminary review of the
entire downstream petroleum industry regulations which identifies key legislations and
stakeholder interests within the context of accident prevention and response. This was
then integrated into tailored mixed method risk assessment of the pipeline and truck
transport systems. The risk assessment made use of accident reports and inputs from semistructure
interviews and focus group discussion with relevant stakeholder organisations.
For the pipeline systems, 96.46% of failure was attributed to activities of saboteurs and
third party interference. The failure frequency of the pipeline (per km-year) was found to
be very high (0.351) when compared to failure frequencies in the UK (0.23×10-3) and the
US (0.135×10-3). It was discovered that limitations in pipeline legislations and national
vested interests limits regulatory and operational capabilities. As a result the operator
lacks the human and technical capability for pipeline integrity management and
surveillance. Similarly the finding from the truck system revealed that 79% of accidents
are due to human factors. The tanker regulators have no structured approach in dealing
with the regulation of petroleum road trucking. Also, operating companies poorly adhere
to safety standards. From an accident/incident response perspective, it was discovered
that local response capability is lacking and the vulnerability of affected communities
increases due to poor knowledge of the hazards associated with petroleum products.
A framework was proposed for each of the transport systems. For the pipeline system, the
framework leverages on the powers of the Petroleum Minister to provide best practice
pipeline risk management directives. It also proposes strategies which combine the use of
social tactics for engaging host communities in pipeline surveillance with technical tactics
to enhance the pipeline integrity. For the truck risk management framework, control
points for prevention of truck accidents were identified. It adheres to principles of
commitment to change, and regulatory/peer collaboration for deployment of management
actions. Suitable policy recommendations were made based on regulatory and operational
interest of stakeholder organisations.Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTD