A Risk Assessment Framework for Illegal Tapping Threat in Natural Gas Pipelines in Mexico

Abstract The unauthorized access and siphoning of products from energy pipelines, also known as illegal tapping, is a growing concern for pipeline operators across the globe. In addition to loss of product and revenue, illegal tapping poses a significant threat to the integrity and safe operation of pipelines. Although typically aimed at liquid hydrocarbon pipelines, TC Energy’s (TCE) natural gas pipelines in Mexico have also been compromised in recent years, often due to the mistaken belief that they transport liquid hydrocarbons. Additionally, unintentional damage to nearby third-party pipelines can have severe consequences for TCE’s assets. Illegal tapping incidents in TCE’s pipelines in Mexico has led to inclusion of this threat in TCE’s pipeline risk assessment process. Detailed review of the illegal tapping incidents indicates that high risk regions can be identified using factors such as elevated rates of hydrocarbon sabotage in specific areas due to active organized criminal activities, locations where foreign gasoline pipelines run in proximity to TCE’s gas pipelines, and population density around the pipelines. The goal of this study is to develop a data driven risk assessment framework for the illegal tapping threat in Mexico. The risk assessment framework will help regional operators to effectively identify high risk pipe segments for illegal tapping and implement risk mitigation plans accordingly.