Introduction: Risk Methodology membership for 2020/21

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 and Cadent Gas needs, and are equally relevant to the UK gas industry, utilising the results of the international collaborations as appropriate.

Expected Benefits: This collaborative programme develops and applies techniques for quantifying the risk associated with pipeline assets and AGIs and investigating the effectiveness of a variety of approaches for reducing risk. Collaboration with these companies helps to reduce cost and to learn from the experiences of other pipeline companies and to share best practice.

The main benefit monetarily is realised in cost avoidance. Looking at implications of an incident on a high pressure pipeline, this has the potential cost upwards of £50 million. As a real world example, the Belgium high pressure pipeline experienced an incident in Ghislenghien, that costed in the millions, including compensation payments, resource constraints, reputational damage and stricter regulation.