An SNA-DEA prioritization framework to identify critical nodes of gas networks: The case of the US interstate gas infrastructure

This paper presents a framework to identify critical nodes of a gas pipeline network. This framework calculates a set of metrics typical of the social network analysis considering the topological characteristics of the network. Such metrics are utilized as inputs and outputs of a (Data Envelopment Analysis) DEA model to generate a cross-efficiency index that identifies the most important nodes in the network. The framework was implemented to assess the US interstate gas network between 2013 and 2017 from both the demand and supply-side perspectives. Results emerging from the US gas network case suggest that different analysis perspectives should necessarily be considered to have a more in-depth and comprehensive view of the network capacity and performance.