EPRG (European Pipeline Research Group) 2019

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)

Project Contact
National Grid Gas Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 June 2019

01 June 2020

ENA months

£96,600

Energy

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Gas Transmission

Project Contact, Cadent Gas

EPRGs enduring mission is to use the combined expertise of GT and pipe manufacturing companies to address common issues concerning the technical integrity of GT 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 Pipeline Industry Association (APIA) at joint EPRG/APIA/PRCI biennial meetings. 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.There are 18 relevant projects currently underway at EPRG for the 2019 programme, and it is anticipated that several new projects will be initiated during the course of the year. Projects listed below that are of particular interest to National Grid and Cadent Gas have been identified by an asterisk (*):EPRG Project Code Project Title 163a* Long term resistance to adhesion loss of 3 layer polyolefin coatings.166* Low bond line toughness in HFW pipe. [166

The European Pipeline Research Group (EPRG) undertakes a wide range of research directed towards the increased integrity and safety of GT 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 GT grid, such as the use of higher strength steels and higher hoop stress factors, provide new challenges and opportunities for cost-effective pipeline construction and operation.

14/12/22