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Learning in Practice: Actors-networks and sociotechnical approach to understanding the constitution of protection of pipelines against clandestine diversions in the oil and gas industry

Silva, Daniela LU (2025) FLMU16 20251
Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety
Abstract
In many countries, the oil and gas industry (OGI) faces a sociotechnical problem related
to illegal tapping, a complex phenomenon involving stealing products from pipelines. This study
analyses the network constitution to understand and tackle this phenomenon, called ”clandestine
diversion” (CD), which is the theft of oil and its derivatives products through illegal tappings of
onshore pipelines, in Brazil's pipeline network. The results and analysis shed light on the
importance of combining different types of knowledge, which translated into integrated actions
needed to respond to a complex social and economic problem. Based on the actor-network
theory (ANT), the research maps controversies and translations of knowledge... (More)
In many countries, the oil and gas industry (OGI) faces a sociotechnical problem related
to illegal tapping, a complex phenomenon involving stealing products from pipelines. This study
analyses the network constitution to understand and tackle this phenomenon, called ”clandestine
diversion” (CD), which is the theft of oil and its derivatives products through illegal tappings of
onshore pipelines, in Brazil's pipeline network. The results and analysis shed light on the
importance of combining different types of knowledge, which translated into integrated actions
needed to respond to a complex social and economic problem. Based on the actor-network
theory (ANT), the research maps controversies and translations of knowledge between different
actors to understand how protection measures are constituted. The study brings CDs, initially
perceived as isolated incidents, evolving into a systemic problem involving organised crime,
which requires collaborative actions between public and private entities blending knowledge that
moves from the technical to the social, integrating communication, data intelligence, and police,
among others.
Methodologically, the research adopts a case study approach based on the principles of
ANT, focusing on the relational dynamics between human and non-human actors. Data
collection methods included semi-structured interviews, participant observation and document
analysis to map controversies in the CDs network. The results reveal that tackling CDs requires a
shift from a fragmented organisational approach to a collaborative one, integrating technical
knowledge with social and legal knowledge (for example) that considers the politics of the actors
– human and non-human.
This study contributes to an understanding of learning that takes into account the different
agents’ perspectives. In this understanding, the social environment is characterised as the space
in which learning processes and the generation of knowledge are constituted. It highlights the
importance of recognising knowledge as a collective and dynamic construction forged by
continuous negotiations between diverse actors. It elucidates the agency of non-human actors in
6
the mobilisation of the CD network, such as the numerous accidents with fatalities in Mexico
due to CDs. This work also offers insights into collaborative and interdisciplinary management
of complex sociotechnical problems in technologically advanced and high-risk organisations. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Silva, Daniela LU
supervisor
organization
course
FLMU16 20251
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Learning in practice organisational learning, actor-network theory, clandestine diversion, pipeline, oil and gas industry (OGI)
language
English
id
9209449
date added to LUP
2025-08-06 11:50:57
date last changed
2025-08-06 11:50:57
@misc{9209449,
  abstract     = {{In many countries, the oil and gas industry (OGI) faces a sociotechnical problem related 
to illegal tapping, a complex phenomenon involving stealing products from pipelines. This study 
analyses the network constitution to understand and tackle this phenomenon, called ”clandestine 
diversion” (CD), which is the theft of oil and its derivatives products through illegal tappings of 
onshore pipelines, in Brazil's pipeline network. The results and analysis shed light on the 
importance of combining different types of knowledge, which translated into integrated actions 
needed to respond to a complex social and economic problem. Based on the actor-network 
theory (ANT), the research maps controversies and translations of knowledge between different 
actors to understand how protection measures are constituted. The study brings CDs, initially 
perceived as isolated incidents, evolving into a systemic problem involving organised crime, 
which requires collaborative actions between public and private entities blending knowledge that 
moves from the technical to the social, integrating communication, data intelligence, and police, 
among others.
Methodologically, the research adopts a case study approach based on the principles of 
ANT, focusing on the relational dynamics between human and non-human actors. Data 
collection methods included semi-structured interviews, participant observation and document 
analysis to map controversies in the CDs network. The results reveal that tackling CDs requires a 
shift from a fragmented organisational approach to a collaborative one, integrating technical 
knowledge with social and legal knowledge (for example) that considers the politics of the actors 
– human and non-human.
This study contributes to an understanding of learning that takes into account the different 
agents’ perspectives. In this understanding, the social environment is characterised as the space 
in which learning processes and the generation of knowledge are constituted. It highlights the 
importance of recognising knowledge as a collective and dynamic construction forged by 
continuous negotiations between diverse actors. It elucidates the agency of non-human actors in 
6
the mobilisation of the CD network, such as the numerous accidents with fatalities in Mexico 
due to CDs. This work also offers insights into collaborative and interdisciplinary management 
of complex sociotechnical problems in technologically advanced and high-risk organisations.}},
  author       = {{Silva, Daniela}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Learning in Practice: Actors-networks and sociotechnical approach to understanding the constitution of protection of pipelines against clandestine diversions in the oil and gas industry}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}