Study on the seismic signal levels induced by natural gas transportation pipelines

Seismic monitoring stations are critical infrastructure for China's earthquake prevention and disaster reduction efforts, and their observational environments are legally protected. Meanwhile, natural gas transmission pipelines are vital facilities that drive national economic development and safeguard people's livelihoods. By 2023, the total length of long-distance natural gas pipelines nationwide had reached 124, 000 kilometers. The construction of such extensive pipelines inevitably overlaps with seismic observation sites, raising the urgent question of whether pipeline operations affect the seismic observation environment and to what extent. To address this, we conducted a series of seismic observation experiments at the Yongqing Compressor Station in Hebei and along a gas pipeline project. Based on the observational data, we studied the propagation patterns of vibration noise generated by natural gas pipeline facilities. The experimental results indicate that near-field noise levels around compressor stations along the pipeline are relatively high, severely interfering with the normal operation of seismic monitoring stations and warranting separate consideration. In observation areas far from compressor stations, however, the existing environmental background noise did not clearly reveal vibration noise from the natural gas pipelines. Based on these findings, we recommend accelerating the establishment of a national database for ambient seismic background noise and incorporating environmental impact assessments of seismic background noise into the evaluation processes of large-scale construction projects. The results of this study will provide references for the formulation and revision of relevant national standards and contribute to a scientifically balanced approach between economic development and environmental protection.