EPRG (European Pipeline Research Group) 2021 - 2026

Completed

Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Other (Energy technology information dissemination)
Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
National Grid Gas Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 April 2021

31 March 2026

ENA months

£376,166

Energy

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Gas Transmission

Project Contact, Cadent Central
Project Contact, Cadent Eastern
Project Contact, Cadent North London
Project Contact, Cadent West Midlands
Project Contact, Cadent North West

Project Contact, Cadent Gas

EPRGs enduring mission is to use the combined expertise of gas and pipe manufacturing companies to address common issues concerning the technical integrity of gas pipelines in the fields of pipe manufacturing, pipeline design, construction, operation and maintenance. To achieve this, EPRG will: Identify methods and practices for improving the integrity of existing and new pipelines and protecting health, safety and the environment. Establish research programmes in response to the needs and priorities of the member companies using the services of contractors which are best-in-class in the relevant areas of expertise. Develop recommendations and guidelines based on the results obtained. Promote the acceptance and implementation of the recommendations and the guidelines.The research work conducted by EPRG is established by a Plenary Group, and managed by three technical committees; Corrosion, Design and Materials. The exchange of experience among the member companies and with other relevant institutions is an important feature of the EPRG activities. For example, a regular exchange of research results is shared with the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) and Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) at joint EPRG/APGA/PRCI biennial meetings.In RIIO-1 EPRG was sanctioned and registered on an annual basis. It is the intention to sanction for the full period of RIIO-2 with an annual review to ensure value with annual progress reports. Participation in EPRG provides National Grid and Cadent Gas with the ability to access research projects that may otherwise be more difficult to fund on an individual basis, as well as the opportunity of validating work carried out on internal programmes. There are extensive networking opportunities with other gas transporters and across the wider industry. Collaboration through this organisation will continue to play a key role in the innovation portfolio. National Grid and Cadent Gas want to continue to establish best practice technologies and techniques in order to allow the safe, reliable, efficient and economic use of the gas network, while reducing impact on the environment. By participating in EPRG, National Grid and Cadent Gas have benefitted, and will continue to benefit from the international experience of the other member companies representatives, while benefiting from significant leverage on project activity from the other member companies.

The European Pipeline Research Group (EPRG) undertakes a wide range of research directed towards the increased integrity and safety of gas pipelines. Topics such as corrosion, fit-for-purpose assessment, and pipeline rehabilitation constitute the major areas of concern for existing pipelines. Whereas areas of concern for new pipelines, in the ever-expanding European gas grid, such as the use of higher strength steels and higher hoop stress factors, and new fluids provide new challenges and opportunities for cost-effective pipeline construction and operation.Collaboration on international research programmes, through industry bodies such as EPRG, is essential to ensure we benefit from leveraged research. Continued participation in EPRG allows National Grid and Cadent Gas to develop a breadth and depth of knowledge that can only be realised through leveraged research programmes, providing maximum cost effectiveness to the customer.

19/10/22