Technology unlocked the gas resources in the Marcellus play, and now rigs marching across the Appalachian Basin are delivering startling new supplies to the nation. Happily, technological advancements are also helping the midstream side of the business. As new pipelines begin to move down the valleys and around the ridges of the U.S. Northeast, research and development are ongoing to improve the safety and reliability of these vital systems.

The Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) is a group of pipeline operators and technology and service companies that spearheads the application of science and technology to all elements of energy pipeline operation. Natural gas, liquids, CO2 and biofuels all move via pipelines, and PRCI implements research programs that address pipeline corrosion, design, materials, and integrity. “These are the backbones of pipeline operations,” said Mark Piazza, senior program manager for PRCI, speaking at Hart Energy’s Marcellus Midstream conference in Pittsburgh.

Two topics of pipeline research highlighted by Piazza were aerial surveillance of rights of way and development of semi-smart pigs.

“The concept with aerial surveillance is to use a suite of sensors to detect machinery threats and leaks and right-of-way changes,” he said. “Third-party damage is still the leading cause of pipeline incidents.”

PRCI is looking at ways to automate right-of-way monitoring, so that pipelines could be scanned from the air.

Currently, pipeline operators often use small aircraft with a solo pilot scanning the ground for issues. Sometimes, the pilot is accompanied by an observer or spotter.

If appropriate sensors and programs can be developed to provide continuous, real-time detection and reporting from the air, the response rate to address unauthorized right-of-way encroachment or intrusion would be greatly improved, and the number of third-party damage events reduced. An automated system could also create archives of data, which operators could use for several purposes. In the challenging terrain of New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, such systems could quickly prove to be quite effective.

The development of semi-smart pigs is another area of interest for PRCI. Its work focuses on developing and validating a cleaning tool that has the capability of gathering data. Sensors that detect temperature, velocity, pressure and wall thickness would be integrated into a cleaning pigging tool. The idea is that valuable information could be collected for an incremental cost during routine cleaning operations, and pipeline operators could easily “plug and play” a particular sensor into a tool to gain specific data.

In addition to these efforts, PRCI conducts research in areas including corrosion, pipeline fatigue assessment, and quality management systems for pipeline construction, said Piazza. The 60-member group also works closely with the U.S. Department of Transportation; that agency awarded $800,000 in funding to the aerial monitoring study.

“We are also global,” said Piazza. “We have members in countries around the world, and we are currently working with pipeline groups in Europe and Australia on various research projects.” While pipeline-related topics account for about two-thirds of its studies, PRCI also conducts research into related areas such as compression, measurement and underground storage.

“Many of the companies involved in the Marcellus play would benefit from belonging to our group,” he said. “Leak detection is hugely important, and retrofitting existing systems is very challenging.” Research into damage prevention and into building new systems in populated areas is also quite relevant to Marcellus pipeliners.

“Many aspects of pipeline construction have not changed in a long time, and we are working to modernize the construction process, and to document and standardize those practices.”

Contact the author, Peggy Williams, at pwilliams@hartenergy.com.