Qingdao pipeline explosion: introductions and reflections

Abstract

As a result of rapid economic development, China is consuming roughly 500 million tons of oil. At present, it is the second-largest consumer of oil worldwide. Furthermore, the increase in its oil consumption has been the highest in the world for 13 consecutive years. The total mileage of domestic oil-gas transportation pipelines in China is 102,000 km, and these pipelines are hazardous. On November 22, 2013, an oil pipeline exploded in Qingdao City in Shandong Province, thus resulting in great personnel and property losses. This short communication briefly introduces this catastrophe, its causes, and some of the related emergency responses.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]