In this work a study of the stability of buried pipelines subjected to thermal loads is developed. The thermal loads are due to the heated fluid that flows through the pipe. Fluid heating is for ease of oil transportation. The pipe expands due to the thermal loading. Axial forces are developed in the pipe due to the expansion since the pipe is restricted on its ends. The analysis of pipes subject to thermal loadas were carried out with use of theoretical and numerical methods for upheaval and snaking buckling problems considering perfect pipes and pipes with imperfection. The numerical models were developed with the support of the ABAQUS software. The pipe was modeled as a beam and the soil is represented by interface elements and alternatively by spring elements. A beam-shell model was also developed where part of the pipe was modeled as a shell to allow a wrinkling analysis. Parametric studies were also carried out to investigate the effects of the soil stiffness, shape and amplitude or the imperfection and internal pressure on the critical temperature of the pipe.