Introduction: A high-pressure natural gas transmission system is a complex combination of buried pipelines and above-ground installations (AGIs), such as compressor stations and terminals. These assets present potential major hazards, such as fire risk, in the unlikely event of accidental releases of gas, due to a range of causes. But there is particular risk present due to accidental interference damage by third parties. Under the Pipeline Safety Regulations (PSR), National Grid is required to manage the risks associated with these assets effectively, and to be able to demonstrate to HSE that risk is considered as low as reasonably practical (ALARP).

Objectives:

Research into the enduring management of safety risks on pipelines and above ground installations. The project includes the implementation of the results via tools and methodologies that are aligned specifically to National Grid’s needs but are also relevant to the UK gas industry, utilising the results of the international collaborations as appropriate

Expected Benefits: Through collaboration with other gas transmission companies, National Grid is able to demonstrate to the safety regulator, its customers and the general public, through its safety cases, that its knowledge of gas transmission hazards and risks is at the forefront of current thinking and therefore that its safety cases are credible and realistic.

Such collaboration also allows National Grid to participate in, and benefit from:

• The ongoing development of international best practice in risk management.

• Shared learning from incidents.