Pipeline Third-Party Damage and Illegal Tapping

Most pipeline leaks are a consequence of third-party activities close to the right-of-way. Pipeline Third-Party Damages are either due to intentional or unintentional actions. A quick presentation of the different defects generated in the pipelines by the action of third parties is carried out. Special emphasis is given to one of the most significant challenges for the pipeline industry: the problem of theft of oil products in pipelines and its consequences. This problem exists in all continents, and this chapter briefly presents the experience of Colombia and Brazil on this subject.