Road Crossing Assessment for Gas Networks Ireland Gas Transmission Pipelines

Project Background

Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) operates and maintains over 14,725 km of gas transmission and distribution pipelines, supplying reliable and efficient energy to more than 720,000 homes and businesses across Ireland every day.

As part of third-party infrastructure planning, GNI consulted Penspen to assess whether a proposed route used by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), crossing multiple pipelines would be acceptable or may induce unacceptable loading at each of the pipes. As result, it was determined that each crossing needed a static and fatigue loading assessment to predict the outcome of the vehicle route.

Services

Penspen’s Asset Integrity team has extensive experience in assessing road and rail crossings for transmission pipelines, making us well-positioned to support GNI with the crossing assessment.

For each of the eight crossings, our team carried out two independent assessment methodologies to:

• Calculate the maximum induced stresses on the pipeline wall due to live HGV loading
• Compare those stresses against the pipeline’s allowable stress limit

In the event that unacceptable loading was found at any of the pipelines, the team also provided practical recommendations to mitigate them, including:

• Temporary pressure reductions
• Rerouting of vehicle paths
• Deployment of live load mitigation methods such as temporary bridging

Result

Penspen’s rapid response was key to the project’s success, delivering:

• Preliminary results in just under 2 weeks
• Client collaboration and consultations throughout
• Completed and approved assessment within 3 weeks

The final assessments showed that all eight pipeline crossings were within safe loading limits, confirming that no unacceptable stress or fatigue would be introduced by the planned HGV route. Had this not been the case, the early delivery of results would have provided GNI with valuable time to implement mitigation strategies to minimise operational disruption.

The outcome of this project is that the planned route of the HGV is safe and that no bursting event to each of the pipelines is expected. Through our work, we have successfully ensured the ongoing integrity and safety of GNI’s critical energy infrastructure, while enabling vital transport improvements to move forward in Ireland.

Commenting on the project, Penspen Europe Asset Integrity Director, said: “This project really showcases our commitment to pipeline safety and integrity, even under time pressure.The collaboration with GNI to deliver assessment results quickly is a testament to the relationship we have built and Penspen are delighted to have provided our expertise to safeguard Irelands critical energy.”

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