In June 2021, a major accident occurred on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in the United States due to the thawing of permafrost. The pipeline supports began to bend, creating a risk of rupture. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources responded to this challenge by installing thermosstabilizers on the pipeline. These contain a refrigerant that helps maintain the low temperature of the soil around the support.
An equally significant problem is known as frost heave. During the cold season, frozen water mass swells, placing pressure on the soil. It begins to move upward, as downward displacement is hindered by denser soil layers. This creates a load on the pipeline supports, disrupting their design alignment. Such a situation requires immediate repairs, which result in substantial financial losses due to downtime.
Russia’s pipeline system faces both thawing and frost heave problems. Permafrost covers about 60% of Russia’s territory, with many hundreds of kilometers of main pipelines passing through it, such as "Power of Siberia," "Zapolyarie-Purpe-Samotlor," "Kuyumba-Tayshet," and others. Over 80% of pipelines are built on above-ground supports. While thermosstabilizers, such as those used in Alaska, address the thawing issue, their use creates additional challenges when it comes to frost heave due to the presence of the refrigerant. Furthermore, these supports are costly and expensive to maintain.
Scientists from the Department of Oil and Gas Transport and Storage have proposed a new support design that effectively addresses the problem of frost heave. The concept of the development involves maintaining the design alignment of the above-ground main pipeline by giving the support a wedge-shaped form. The wedge, with a 30-degree angle, as part of the supporting structure, cuts through the heaved frozen soil, allowing the support to maintain stability.
«The development is patented. Its effectiveness has been confirmed through computer modeling. The optimal geometric shape of the wedge for reducing the impact of frost heave forces has been determined. Our proposed support design also includes a damping system that reduces stress on the pipeline metal due to soil movement» – said Ildar Shammzov, Head of the Department of Oil and Gas Transport and Storage.
Under his scientific supervision, graduate student Arthur Batyrav defended his doctoral thesis on this project. Companies such as Gazprom and Transneft have shown interest in the proposed support design. Potential interested parties may include pipeline companies in the United States and Canada.
It is worth noting that in early April, the Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University hosted the IV All-Russian Scientific Conference "Breakthrough Technologies for Hydrocarbon Transport and Storage - 2025." Scientists from the Mining University and other specialized universities in the country, along with representatives from major domestic oil and gas sector companies, analyzed achievements in the field, identified key directions for further scientific research.