Studies in Progress

The INGAA Foundation is currently working on the following projects. 

Transmission Industry Critical Skills Forecast Analysis
The Transmission Industry Critical Skills Forecast Analysis will identify and prioritize skills required in the transmission industry. The project will combine a functional analysis of the technical workforce's responsibilities with the industry's forecasts for the responsible job classifications. A criticality assessment will prioritize the functions and job classifications, which in turn, will be used to prioritize the skill requirements. The study will focus on the critical skills for the technical workforce in the transmission segment of the natural gas industry that is responsible for design, construction, operation and maintenance of pipelines, and will consider pipeline, engineering and construction companies. The study approach is to define, analyze and align the functions, skills and job classifications required in the industry. This will form the foundation for a prioritized list of technical functions and job classifications for the natural gas transmission industry that will be used to prioritize skill requirements. The deliverables will include a functional analysis, supply recommendations, and an action plan for increasing critical skills in the industry. The American Gas Foundation has also joined the effort.

Carbon Sequestration & Storage: Developing Transportation Infrastructure
This study will help inform Foundation members, policymakers and others on issues associated with developing and operating a CO2 transportation system for purposes of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). The proposed study will build upon a 2007 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report to Congress on policy issues that will arise in connection with CCS. The study will identify any additional issues not raised by the CRS or other reports. The study will not duplicate previous work but will develop original research examining the infrastructure needs for pipeline, compressors, and pumps for CCS. The study will discuss implications for the natural gas pipeline industry and more broadly the natural gas market resulting from the development of CCS infrastructure.

Quantification and Potential Utilization of Unconventional Gas Supplies 
This study will evaluate: a) potential supply volumes, b) types of supply source(s), c) geographic locations(s), d) resource timing, e)operational issues or constraints, and f) gas quality issues associated with various unconventional gas supplies such as coal gasification, shallow shale development, and coal bed (seam) methane. The report will be available to companies who are considering the potential utilization of unconventional gas supplies and are in need of additional background information, knowledge, and understanding about the developing areas of supply. It should help ensure that critical decision-making data is available for the industry consistent with the long term planning requirements of operational organizations and customers. 

Alternative Transportation Fuels: Natural Gas Implications
The alternative transportation fuels mandate in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 has created a greatly expanded market for bio-fuels such as ethanol. This market could grow even bigger if the Congress expands the scope of the mandate yet again, as now is proposed. Natural gas is one of the principal energy sources now used in producing ethanol. A number of interstate pipelines have expanded their facilities to connect with ethanol plants. Still, little has been done to analyze the dimensions of this market, the factors that will affect the ultimate size of the market, and the additional infrastructure that may be necessary to supply these new consumers of natural gas. This study will quantify the magnitude of the potential incremental demand for natural gas that may be created as a result of the federal alternative transportation fuels mandate and the proposed expansion of the mandate.   In addition to ethanol, the study will examine possible natural gas demand that may be created by the production of other bio-fuels, such as bio-diesel. The study also will examine the extent to which the mandate creates additional demand for natural gas-based fertilizer due to the cultivation of additional crops needed to provide feedstock for the production of bio-fuels.

Parallel Construction of New Pipelines
After the 2007 Midyear Meeting, the Executive Committee approved conducting a workshop to explore issues related to regulatory requirements and current operation practices related to using existing rights-of-way for new construction.  It was contemplated that the workshop and subsequent white paper would define opportunities to improve route selection, surveying, ROW grading and preparation, marking and location and excavation supervision  among other practices.  The workshop was held in Houston on July 19, 2007.

Risk Threats for Cased Pipeline Crossings
Operators who choose to assess their pipelines in High Consequence Areas (HCA’s) by using the External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA) methodology need to clearly define the integrity threat(s) associated with cased pipelines in order to select the correct methods for assessing cased pipelines.  The guidelines offered in the National Association of Corrosion Engineers’ (NACE) ECDA procedure 0502-2002 are somewhat unclear in their guidance.  This study will examine the likely threats associated with cased pipeline crossings and develop a list of existing tools and processes available to assess for threats.

Tools for Communicating Pipeline Safety Risk to the Local Government and General Public
The goal of this project is to incorporate newly available statistical societal descriptions of risk to the public and the factual performances of the pipeline companies and translate them to emotional based descriptions of individual risks for communication to ROW owners.  This project was reported as complete at the April 2007 Midyear Meeting.  However when the draft final report was submitted, more editing than had been anticipated was required so the process could be more easily incorporated into the pipeline industry communication practices. 

Squareness Of Bevels and Straightness Of Double Jointed Pipes Workshop
In these days of limited resources, time constraints and cost pressures, any issue with the “pipeline project assembly line” can greatly determine if a project is successful or not. One of the more frustrating aspects is an issue that happens sporadically--misalignment of bevels during double jointing that prevents subsequent coating. It is hard to plan and design a system to manage if everyone is not familiar with the issue. The issue of bevel alignment for double jointing is one of those situations. While it may happen sporadically, it can cause high frustration and unnecessary cost if not managed correctly.

During the manufacturing, transportation and prepping of the single joint of pipes it appears that sporadically the bevel of the pipe is not sufficiently perpendicular to the overall length of the pipeline joint. This may occur even though there are QA/QC processes to address straightness. When the two pieces of pipe are welded together on the “Double Joint” rack the total joined piece of pipe may not be straight thereby creating an issue in the coating plants. The current API 5L specification for line pipe specifically excludes Double Joints from its purview. Coating plants require certain tolerances on the straightness or camber of the pipe that is being coated and a “double jointed” piece of pipe may be rejected and set aside if the coating plant is unable to process the pipe through the plant. In order to coat the pipe, the weld will need to be removed and replaced.

· This causes a delay in the coating process and perhaps the overall project

· It requires a re-weld and NDT for the bad joints

· It disrupts shipping and schedules of the next “station” in the construction assembly line

As mentioned this happens sporadically and some companies may not have experienced this situation.

The purpose of the workshop is to examine the technical and contractual issues so that these kinds of issues can be addressed early and the impact minimized or managed.