The Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) is the basis of much of the international research for gas pipelines and above ground installations, providing knowledge to members effectively and economically. PRCI aims to conduct a collaboratively-funded research & development programme that enables energy pipeline companies around the world to provide safe, reliable, environmentally compatible, cost-efficient service to meet customer energy requirements.
Benefits
For the PRCI, formal cost/benefit studies of member participation show a consistently positive ratio for the reduced costs of operations and maintenance, inspection, materials, design, construction and testing. For example:
In the case of PRCI, National Grid and Cadent Gas can use its subscription fee to support its choice of projects, but additionally, National Grid and Cadent Gas have full access to the results of all other projects that they do not specifically support.
Learnings
Outcomes
JEFI-04-14 HyBlend2 [E-contract executed]
The purpose of the multi-lab US program is to enable a safe, cost effective pathway for blending of hydrogen into natural gas. The project focusses on 4 areas:
1. Pipeline Integrity & Risk (HELPR tool)
Developed HELPR, a probabilistic risk model for hydrogen pipelines
New capabilities include:
Advanced crack/fatigue modelling
Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD) methods
User-defined pressure cycles and improved visualisation
Expanding to cover defects like dents, corrosion, issues with welds etc.
2. Materials Performance (Metals & Polymers)
Hydrogen can:
Cause embrittlement in steels
Change polymer structure and reduce fracture resistance
Polymer crystallinity increases with hydrogen pressure-affects durability
Butt fused joints show mechanical changes under hydrogen
3. Hydrogen leakage and environmental impact
Hydrogen leaks more easily than natural gas due to smaller molecules
Estimated leakage ranges across supply chain: ~0.3% to 20% depending on stage and assumptions.
Hydrogen has indirect global warming impact: Low leakage (<1%) → minimal climate impact, Higher leakage (3–5%) → significant emissions increase.
4. Techno-economic and system analysis (BlendPATH)
Models Hydrogen blending upto 100% H2
Simulates pipeline hydraulics and cost
Enables better investment decisions
Project outcomes and benefits:
Hydrogen blending is technically feasible but a complex process with factors like material degradation and defects needing careful management.
Leakage is a critical uncertainty in climate benefit
>50% hydrogen blends show strongest emissions reduction potential
Cost competitiveness depends on operating conditions, infrastructure reuse and energy system integration.
JEFI-04-11A Develop Pipeline Industry Consensus Engineering Requirements (CER) for Hydrogen Transmission Pipelines- B31.8s [Closeout complete documentation sent to admin team for review and final processing]
This PRCI project was initiated to address a critical gap in existing pipeline standards: the lack of hydrogen-specific integrity management guidance. While ASME B31.8S governs natural gas pipeline integrity, it does not yet fully cover hydrogen or hydrogen blends. The project’s primary objective was to develop Consensus Engineering Requirements (CERs) that define how hydrogen pipelines should be managed safely and reliably. These CERs were created through a structured, industry-aligned process involving PRCI, ASME, ROSEN, and a broad group of global subject matter experts. CERs resulting from the project capture the state-of-the-art understanding of hydrogen related pipeline risks such as cracking, fatigue, embrittlement etc and are fully aligned with ASME frameworks. Once incorporated into the ASME standard, these requirements will provide industry-wide guidance for managing the integrity of hydrogen and hydrogen-blend pipelines. Until then, this report serves as a best-practice technical reference for operators transitioning toward hydrogen infrastructure.
Project outcomes and benefits:
Provides technical knowledge required to safely transport hydrogen at scale, supporting industry shift towards low carbon fuels.
Aligns directly with ASME B31.s, establishing a standardised industry guidance.
Hydrogen specific threats discussed in detail, which enhances decision making process towards pipeline design, inspection and maintenance process.
Demonstrates effective collaboration between ASME committees, industry stakeholders and PRCI EFI.
JEFI-00-02A EFI Guidance Document (second revision) [Final report approved]
A research initiative by PRCI’s Emerging Fuel Institute (EFI) hydrogen technical committee with the objective of developing a technical guidance document for engineering, designing and operating hydrogen pipelines.
Project outcomes and benefits:
Wider stakeholder collaboration- ASME , PRCI, Pipeline community
Defining a clear technical criteria helps ensure safety, reduce uncertainty and advance the safe deployment of hydrogen pipelines.
Lessons Learnt
PRCI membership has seen a greater diversification over the last few years. Participation in previous years was predominantly from North America, however that has been an increase in memberships from around the world-primarily China and European countries. The uptake in wider global membership feeds into a wider range of research and areas of exploration that promotes a broader application globally. This benefits National Grid Gas Transmission and Cadent by delivering an even wider breadth of research than ever before, and an increase in the leverage available with greater uptake in membership. Following feedback from the business the innovation team will focus on ways that the results and progress of the PRCI projects can be better disseminated to the wider business. This will allow the benefits of the research carried out by PRCI to be leveraged fully
