Pipeline network robustness analysis with complex network theory

Oil and gas pipelines constitute the backbone of global energy transportation, serving as critical infrastructure that ensures the continuous supply of energy resources across vast geographical regions. However, their extensive and interconnected structures, coupled with exposure to diverse environmental, operational, and security risks, render them particularly vulnerable to failures, disruptions, and even deliberate attacks. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in applying complex network approaches to model, quantify, and enhance the robustness of oil and gas pipeline networks. It discusses how network-based modeling enables the representation of both structural and functional characteristics thus offering deeper insights into system behavior under stress. Furthermore, the review presents comparative evaluations of robustness across various simulated disturbance scenarios, including random failures, targeted attacks, and cascading disruptions, highlighting the potential of network theory to inform risk assessment, vulnerability mitigation, and the design of more resilient energy infrastructures. • This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of methods for constructing complex network models in pipeline systems, enhancing the robustness analysis of such networks. • It reviews various complex network robustness verification methods, highlighting their application in different scenarios. • The paper explores future challenges and development trends in applying complex network robustness in pipeline network systems, identifying potential opportunities for improvement.