Official websites use .gov
A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
N/A
20.723
To sponsor research and development (R&D) projects that focus on providing near-term solutions which will improve safety, reduce environmental impact, and enhance reliability of the nation’s pipeline transportation system.
This chart shows obligations for the program by fiscal year. All data for this chart was provided by the
administering agency and sourced from SAM.gov, USASpending.gov, and Treasury.gov.
For more information on each of these data sources, please see the
About the data page.
TBD Program made three new awards addressing the further development of robotic inspection solutions capable of inspecting natural gas pipelines that are not piggable by traditional technology. The program also entered into two cooperative agreements. One with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement where a project developing inspection criteria for offshore risers was co-funded and one with the National Institute of Standards and Technology that is investigating the characterization of modern high toughness steels for fracture propagation and arrest assessment. All projects have a public page for more information and are sortable by FY via https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/matrix/ .
PHMSA and the pipeline industry recognize the role of research in removing mutual challenges and, since 2002, have coordinated and collaborated on more than 270 projects and invested approximately $109M of PHMSA funding, plus $100M worth of shared resources.
Funded a number of projects in the areas of Anomaly Detection/Characterization, Leak Detection, Liquefied Natural Gas, Threat Prevention, Underground Natural Gas Storage.
The following project registered technology transfer during FY 2019. Rapid Aerial Small Methane Leak Survey https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/matrix/PrjHome.rdm?prj=651
The following project registered technology transfer during FY 2020. In-Ditch Validation Methodology for Determination of Defect Sizing https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/matrix/PrjHome.rdm?prj=503
The following project registered technology transfer during FY 2021. Development, Field Testing and Commercialization of a Crack and Mechanical Damage Sensor for Unpiggable Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/matrix/PrjHome.rdm?prj=496
PHMSA’s research supports regulatory and enforcement activities and provides the technical and analytical foundation necessary for planning, evaluating, and implementing the pipeline safety program. PHMSA annually sponsors R&D projects that focus on providing near-term solutions to help ensure the safe, reliable, and environmentally-sound operation of the Nation’s pipeline system.
Recent R&D projects have focused on the following areas: leak detection; detection of mechanical damage; damage prevention; improved pipeline system controls, monitoring, operations, improvements in pipeline materials, underground natural gas storage (UNGS) and liquid natural gas (LNG). These projects develop innovative technology, strengthen consensus standards, and promote knowledge to decision makers that can be implemented to improve pipeline system safety.
PHMSA maintains a collaborative process in the program by holding annual peer reviews on all post-award or active research projects. This action ensures that quality is addressed throughout the lifecycle of research (pre-solicitation, pre-award, and post-award). These projects must stay true to the goals conceived in consensus at R&D Forums and as promised by researchers receiving the government research award. If projects deviate, feedback from peer review panels is used to adjust or modify them.
PHMSA’s research has support regulatory and enforcement activities and provides the technical and analytical foundation necessary for planning, evaluating, and implementation of the pipeline safety program. PHMSA is sponsoring research and development projects annually focused on providing near-term solutions to help ensure the safe, reliable, and environmentally-sound operation of the Nation’s pipeline system.
The most recent R&D program announcement focused on developing new technologies or products to advance pipeline safety through six focus areas: a) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Hydrogen (H2) Pipeline Safety; b) Leak Detection; c) LNG; d) Threat Prevention; e) Anomaly Detection and Characterization; f) Hazardous Liquid Tanks
Fourteen projects were funded from the 2024 Solicitation, as we continue developing innovative technology, strengthening consensus standards and promoting knowledge to decision makers that can be implemented to improve pipeline System safety. The projects will run 1-3 years in length and progress may be viewed through the PHMSA R&D Project Managment System (MIS).
FY24 Funded Projects were: • “Evaluate and Assess the Development of Pipeline System Repair and Maintenance Technologies in Hydrogen (H2), H2-Natural Gas Blends, and Natural Gas Pipelines” • “Partnership to Advance Pipeline Leak Detection Methods” • “Advanced Leak Detection Capabilities for Compressible Hydrocarbon Products” • “P3LD: Practical Protocols for Pipeline Leak Detection” • “Non-destructive Toughness Measurement” • “Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Knowledge Development, Consequences of Catastrophic Failure of LNG Storage Tanks” • “Gap Analysis to Identify Opportunities to Inform Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) Programs in LNG Facilities” • “Development of a Blade Toughness Meter (BTM) for In-Situ Pipe Toughness Measurement” • “Assess and Prevent Threats in Conversion or Repurposing Pipeline Systems” • “Use of Gamification and Generative AI to provide more effective training for hazardous condition and emergency response.” • “In-situ Rapid-Cured-in-Place Pipelining System for Rehabilitation of Metallic Gas Pipe”
PHMSA is maintaining a collaborative process in the program, by holding peer reviews on all post-award or active research projects. This action ensures that quality is addressed throughout the lifecycle of research (pre-solicitation, pre-award, and post-award). These projects must stay true to the goals conceived in consensus at R&D Forums and as promised by researchers receiving the government research award. If projects deviate, they are adjusted or modified using the feedback from peer review panels.
Single Audit Applies (2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F):
For additional information on single audit requirements for this program, review the current Compliance Supplement.
OMB is working with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and agency offices of inspectors general to include links to relevant oversight reports. This section will be updated once this information is made available.
