Development of Specification for PE Repair Systems

Completed

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

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Cadent Gas

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 September 2014

01 June 2016

21 months

£407,151

Technical Consultancy

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Cadent Gas

Project Contact, Northern Gas Networks
Project Contact, SGN

The aim of this project is to look at potential repair techniques for PE pipe systems that could provide an alternative to cut out and replacement. Success of this project would be a successful conclusion and understanding as to the most frequent types of PE pipe leaks/failures and assessment of current repair techniques in order for a draft technical specification for Interim and Permanent to be produced. If successful this would lead to further work under a separate project to undertake development of a repair technique, field trial demonstrations, and updating of the required policies, procedures and industry standards.

Current procedures for the repair of Polyethylene (PE) gas piping systems only allow cut out and replacement as a permanent repair for a leaking or damaged section. However, the availability of alternative interim, or permanent, repair techniques could offer significant reductions in the time and costs to undertake repairs to damaged PE piping. Under previous NIA project ‘PE Asset Life Research’, carried out by National Grid and Macaw, work was undertaken to look at potential repair techniques for PE pipe systems that could provide an alternative to cut out and replacement. This study found that the most common leakage occurrence was on 63 to 180mm diameter PE pipe operating at low pressure, and that an alternative repair technique completed on the first visit under live leakage conditions could provide savings in the region of 35% to 55%. This project would consist of data analysis around the most frequent types of PE pipe leaks/failures and currently available alternative repair techniques for PE pipe systems.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

09/08/18