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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGGT0065
Title	Pipeline and Farm Equipment Loading Review
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	PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 75%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given National Grid Gas Transmission
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 October 2014
End Date	01 April 2015
Duration	6 months
Total Grant Value	£100,000
Industrial Sectors	Technical Consultancy
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid Gas Transmission (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGGT0065
Objectives	A review of implications and potential solutions to modern heavier agricultural equipment crossing steel pipelines. To either confirm that current standards, construction and protection practice remain valid despite changes to modern agricultural practice, or propose changes and further work that may be required to validate current pipeline management and protection arrangements or actions required to mitigate any future risks to the NTS.
Abstract	Modern farming techniques are placing larger and heavier equipment, and hence heavier loads, on fields and farm crossings of high pressure (HP) pipelines which were laid to former editions of the industry accepted standard for HP pipelines, UK IGE/TD/1. This document originally published in 1965 by the Institution of Gas Engineers (IGE now IGEM - Institution of Engineers and Managers), is recognized as good practice guidance which should be used to meet the requirements of the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996. The document is now in its fifth edition and was last updated in 2008. The changes in agricultural equipment have the potential to introduce increased risk to the National Transmission System (NTS) but this issue does not appear to have been taken into account during the 5 reviews since 1965. We are not aware of any future plans to review TD/1 for this issue. It was therefore identified that a review was required on the implications of current and projected farming equipment and techniques to identify the potential scope of any problems, the validity of current specifications, any international best practice, and to propose any further investigations and field testing that may be required. This research project will investigate the impact of current agricultural loading on pipes in the ground, to identify and understand the potential scope of risk and the validity of current specifications. Phase 1 - A full review of potential pipeline risk areas. Desktop review report detailing the outcome and conclusions from; Review of implications of current agricultural methods for all key risk areas including; design, loading, construction, climate affects, operation & maintenance, etc. Workshops with risk area specialists Research of international custom and practice Field work proposals for a potential subsequent Phase 2Presentation and facilitated discussion with National Grid, IGEM and other Gas Networks Phase 2 - Based on outputs from phase 1 it is anticipated that further work will be required (e.g. field trials, review and revision of associated specifications). Learnings on the associated risk will feed into potential mitigation measures relating to the protection of existing pipeline, and the specification for future pipelines, where they may be impacted by modern agricultural equipment and techniques.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	09/10/18