Cast Iron Fitness For Purpose (CIFFP)

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 December 2013

01 November 2014

11 months

£138,809

Technical Consultancy

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Cadent Gas

Project Contact, Northern Gas Networks
Project Contact, SGN
Project Contact, Wales and West Utilities

To develop a methodology that satisfies obligations under the Pipeline Safety Regulations to enable Tier 2/3 pipes to be safely maintained for continued use, or be categorised in such a way to prioritise for remediation or decommissioning. In this context remediation could involve internal repair of pipe and/or joints, or semi structural linings, or fully structural linings if the pipe required decommissioning. Success of the project would be: Evidence of national and global work on CI test assessments. Contact with suitable broad range of stakeholders and review of scientific papersSubstantive and reliable data has been sourced on CI failure data. Learning adds value in addition to pipe risk score and that the output feeds into the pass/fail criteria methodologyCommercially available and cost effective CI inspection techniques have been identified. A suitable range of techniques that enables pipes of greater or lesser risk score or other risk factors can be assessed. Ideally 3 or 4 techniques are or could be developed to be applied to pipes of differing initial levels of risk scoreTechnically acceptable, cost effective and practical decision support methodologies have been identified. That GDNs reach consensus on approach and external stakeholders sign on (HSE).

The Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) are investigating various techniques to assess the condition of Cast Iron (CI) pipes including, but not limited to, coupon removal for localised metallurgy, internal pipe inspections ( inner/outer wall corrosion, hairline cracks and induced strain) localised NDT (ultrasonic and magnetic flux for corrosion and pitting) and basic internal camera inspections. In addition there are a number of techniques to remediate and/or reduce pipe risk including permanent joint repairs (CISBOT) and semi structural linings. However none of the projects makes any quantitative assessment based on the individual outputs to define with any degree of accuracy the remaining life of the complete pipe section or current factor of safety with measured defects. To undertake an in depth review and assessment of technologies and methodologies that provide intelligence on the fitness for purpose of CI pipe including: Review of CI inspection techniques (intrusive and NDT), both under trial/development and those that are commercially availableReview of CI residual life and strength assessment methodsReview of GDN CI failure dataTo consider the statistical reliability of inspection dataNote : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

10/07/18