Introduction
The intelligent Pipeline Integrity Program (iPIPE) is an industry-led consortium whose focus is to contribute to the advancement of near-commercial, emerging technologies to prevent and detect leaks from gathering pipelines. The program is a direct response to North Dakota Governor Burgum’s May 2017 challenge to industry to think outside the box and apply new technology to address the challenge of eliminating pipeline leaks.
Because the state of North Dakota’s jurisdiction on pipelines is with liquids gathering pipelines, this is our initial focus. However, we anticipate that many of the technologies advanced through this program will have applications in other pipeline sectors, as well.
At the onset, this program is funding approximately $4 million in development and demonstration activities over the course of almost 4 years. As additional pipeline operators join the program as members, further funding will be applied to more technology development efforts.