Learnings

Outcomes

This research project has successfully investigated the presence of debris in pipes. It has assessed the size of the problem and the consequences of it to routine network operations in terms of quantifying additional costs to networks in changing planned operations that may be avoided in future if a suitable solution could be identified.

The challenge of addressing debris within pipes is a complex problem, affecting numerous different operations with interconnected issues. Steer Energy was tasked by Northern Gas Networks, Wales & West Utilities, SGN and Cadent, supported by the Energy Innovation Centre, to provide an overview of the critical issues and identify potential routes for improvement. The work focused on how camera inspections, robotic interventions, flow stopping, and new pipe insertions were affected by debris, and what could be done to minimise this impact.

The information gathered within this project concluded that debris is mainly found:

• at sites close to governors,
• in areas of historical industry or poor ground conditions.   
• In larger pipeline sizes that were been observed to create more debris.
• In tier 1 and tier 2 pipes, delamination creates large chunks that fall off alongside “bitty” corrosion.
• At sites close to gas holders or governors mention was made of “wetter” debris closer to the holder/governor.

One theme that came through the interviews was that dealing with debris in pipes was commonly viewed by Operatives as simply part of the job. There are known ways of addressing it to ensure that the pipe gets inspected, interventions carried out, or the new pipe gets laid. It is not, therefore, necessarily viewed as a problem or challenge however the project recorded.

• 50% of the entries indicated debris was found
• 15% of planned operations had to be changed due to the presence of debris.

A small percentage of planned operations needed changing due to the presence of debris. We applied cost estimates to the 15% changed operations. The total additional cost was calculated as £138,780, averaging as an increase of £2,238 per changed operation.

Steer Energy provided a long list of 47 concepts to address the challenge of debris from multiple different angles and following a review, these were shortlisted to 10. Examples of the technical solutions that Steer Energy recommend taking forward are:

• Better Head designs - maximising the distance that insertion heads can be pushed
• Skiddarggé, Articulated Head, and Improved Camera Lights - improving the ability to gather information from camera inspections
• Blown Away - minimising the impact of debris on achieving a stopper bag seal

It should be noted that no market ready solutions exist to address the problem identified and the development of any of the solutions will require investment to design, develop and demonstrate a fit for purpose product or piece of equipment.

Lessons Learnt

The following lessons have been taken from this work:

• Before starting the project, workshops took place between innovators and the gas networks. This helped everyone to fully understand individual, as well as collective issues. Originally the networks were looking for a solution to the problem, however it became apparent that a discovery phase was first needed to fully define & quantify the issues faced by the networks. This additional engagement step improved understanding of the problems to be solved and whilst this process may not be appropriate for all projects, consideration should be made for this approach in future projects.
• Data gathering was key to this project, being flexible as to how that information is gathered (emails, telephone interviews, electronic surveys, etc.) has been needed in order to maximise the collection of field information. Good communication has been required between the technology provider and GDNs individually and collectively, in order to address any concepts in a timely manner.