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The ιmpact of εarthquake-ρelated γeohazards on οffshore πipelines and σeaside φacilities of the οil and gas industry in the Mediterranean region

P.N. Psarropoulos, Y. Tsompanakis, A.A. Antoniou, D.C. Charmpis

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Summary

The transportation of hydrocarbons to Central and Northern Europe is currently being performed by high-pressure onshore pipelines coming mainly from Central Asia. In the next decades the increased demand for energy in European countries will undoubtedly require the smooth and safe transfer of hydrocarbons from the East Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa. This process is expected to be performed using offshore pipeline networks and seaside facilities connecting various countries in the wider Mediterranean region. However, since the Mediterranean basin is characterized by moderate to high seismicity, the seismic design of any offshore pipeline or seaside facility should aim to eliminate the probability of occurrence of a potential accident such as explosion, fire, leakage, etc., and their devastating consequences. This goal may be achieved through: (a) the identification and the quantification of the potential geohazards, and (b) the realistic verification of the integrity of offshore pipelines and/or seaside facilities. Apart from strong ground motion, the potential earthquake-related geohazards include mainly coastal or submarine landslides, active faults, soil liquefaction phenomena and, in some cases, tsunamis. For this purpose, after a short presentation of the topography, bathymetry, geology, tectonics and seismicity that characterize the Mediterranean region, the main earthquake-related geohazards are briefly described. In addition, this study proposes certain technically and economically feasible mitigation/protection measures.

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