Abstract: Buckling failure is one of the important failure modes of long-distance oil and gas pipeline. The local buckling failure of a natural gas pipeline in Gansu province was studied. The macro-morphology, geometric dimensions and physical and chemical properties of the buckling failed pipe section were tested and analyzed. By investigating and analyzing the landform of the failed pipe section, the load types that may cause the buckling failure of the pipe section were inferred, and the finite element analysis software was used to simulate and compare the stress distribution and deformation of the pipe section under the load parallel to or perpendicular to the pipe axis. The results show that the physical and chemical properties of the buckling failed pipe section meet the requirements of relevant standards, and the compression load parallel to the pipe axis is the main reason for the local buckling failure of the pipe section. In addition, local wall thickness change and local deformation cracking occurs in the buckling fold region of the pipe section under the action of axial compression force.