A large number of pipelines are designed and constructed using steel pipes. The article analyzes statistical data on the corrosion damage of underground steel gas pipelines. The main failures occur in the areas where the insulation is damaged. During operation, the main focus is on controlling the condition of the pipelines' corrosion protection. In addition, it is important to inspect the pipeline route to analyze the condition of its surface. The analysis of underground gas pipeline damage revealed that the majority of corrosion malfunctions are found in pipelines that are 35–40 years old. Therefore, special attention should be paid to pipes that have been in operation for a long time when managing underground gas pipelines. Operational experience has shown that the majority of faults occur in gas networks with a pipe diameter of 100 mm. Moreover, the article presents an analysis of damage to underground gas pipelines, which found that the greatest amount of damage occurs on pipes laid at a depth of 1.5–1.8 meters. This is due to the increased soil moisture at the specified depth, which contributes to the occurrence of corrosion.

Keywords: operation of underground steel gas pipelines, corrosion damage, protection of underground gas pipelines from corrosion