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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_WWU_059
Title	Permanent Leak Repair Clamps Phase 2
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 March 2020
End Date	01 March 2021
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£172,323
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	Wales
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_WWU_059
Objectives	This project proposal builds and progresses upon the successes of a previous innovation project, Permanent Leak Repair Clamps (NIA_WWU_040). This project has now been completed with a view of how a common emergency pipeline repair strategy could be developed for the management and repair of leaking pipelines by providing sound engineering process for our engineers to follow. The project also recommended that a Bolted Structural Repair Clamp (i.e. Double Seal Clamp) would be the best solution as a permanent leak repair method and this was reached following a review of all relevant standards in relation to how WWU perform leak repairs on pipelines, as well as standard practice within gas industry worldwide regarding repair of pipeline leaks. A typical bolt-on clamp consists of two halves bolted together with elastomer seals around the circumference of the pipe and along the bolting face to contain the pressure from a leaking pipeline. The clamps are usually designed to contain full pipeline pressure and are generally installed by bolting onto the pipeline at the defect location.It is proposed that we will demonstrate the use of a Double Seal Clamp for a permanent repair of a small leak located at a ditch crossing on a 6-inch pipeline in North Wales (HN029 Tryfil to Llangefni).The project will investigate market availability and indicative costs of a clamp, developing a cost benefit analysis to evaluate the benefit of a double seal clamp over the current solution of a temporary Plidco Clamp. The project will develop a work procedure and risk assessment for the installation of the clamp and the removal of the temporary clamp, the clamp will then be installed onto the network. We will develop a method to remotely monitor the clamp for the remainder of the assets life using available logger technology and using alarm systems for immediate alerts Stage 1: IRMS to check market availability and indicative cost of “Double Seal Clamp” (with monitoring point) from potential suppliers Partner Develop Cost Benefit Analysis Develop event-based decision tree on the possible repair scenarios Stage 2: Develop flow charts / story board or sequence of activities that will be involved in the removal of standard Plidco Leak Clamp already installed on any WWU pipeline. This will be the engineering procedure Develop flow charts / story board or sequence of activities that will be involved in the installation of Double Seal Clamp Develop Clamp Installation Risk Assessment. The risk assessment will be developed in conjunction with WWU and shall be utilised during the installation of the Double Seal Clamp Stage 3: Installtion of Double Seal Clamp This project will provide the understanding needed to remove a temporary clamp and replace with a permanent solution on a High Pressure Pipeline.
Abstract	A project that will enable Wales & West Utilities to install a permanent leak repair clamp to a High Pressure (HP) pipeline and develop a decision tree for WWU to carry out future works.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	02/11/22