The project scope is designed to develop a risk based model for prioritisation of high pressure gas pipeline management and maintenance activities. Taking into account the threats posed by different damage mechanisms such as corrosion, third party interference, and ground movement on individual pipeline sections, this type of prioritisation system is a new concept and will better enable the prioritisation of resources to the highest risk pipelines. This work will determine how National Grid can best make decisions for prioritising maintenance and inspection for high pressure gas pipelines to maintain their availability for use by customers whilst meeting our safety obligations.
The proposal is to draw on the PIPESAFE model, which can assess risk at a single location, from the most likely failure mechanism at that location, and to extend this to develop a model which would prioritise maintenance activities across the full length of a pipeline section. The project will use information from around the world including Europe, US and Asia from research bodies such as EPRG and PRCI to define the appropriate risk profile and consider the various options for pipeline inspection and management. The work will consider the location of the pipelines, the failure mechanism likelihoods for sections of pipeline and the prevention and mitigation measures in place for pipeline sections.
National Grid’s expenditure on inline inspection, excavations, linewalking, CIPS, third party monitoring/ raising awareness is many £m per annum . Being able to rank pipelines against each other for their propensity for failure will help National Grid makes informed choices for investing funds in maintenance and/or inspection activities for higher risk pipeline sections and ensure that we can continue to meet our customer and safety obligations in the most efficient way.
The project will therefore deliver both a specific piece of new equipment and also a novel operational practice.
Benefits
Delivery and implementation of the model with guidance documents.
