PHMSA is proud of the successes that have been and will be achieved through its Research and Development efforts. PHMSA conducts and sponsors research projects focused on providing near-term solutions that will increase the safety, cleanliness, and reliability of our Nation's pipeline system. Below you will find links to some of our success stories. We will update and add to these links from time to time.


 •In-Situ Hydrogen Analysis in Weldments: Novel NDE for Weld Inspection DTPH56-07-T-000009 [12/29/2009]
A new series of portable nondestructive materials characterization systems are being developed for the assessment of hydrogen, micro- structure, and other crucial materials properties.   More...

 •Cathodic Protection Current Mapping In-Line Inspection Technology DTPH56-05-T-005 [06/17/2009]
Pipelines with rights-of-way in areas difficult to access present unique problems for pipeline operators when monitoring cathodic protection systems and their effectiveness in protecting the pipeline from external corrosion.   More...

 •In-Situ Hydrogen Analysis in Weldments: Novel NDE for Weld Inspection [08/01/2007]
With use of pipeline steel and steel weldments of increasing strength, the critical hydrogen concentration for hydrogen cracking is being significantly reduced. The assessment of hydrogen content in pipeline steel and its weldments is an essential requirement to monitor loss of integrity of the pipeline and to prevent failures.   More...

 •External Pipeline Coating Integrity DTPH56-06-T-000022 [09/15/2006]
This project will determine whether 3LPO is a more reliable external pipeline coating system than FBE. If so, DOT would recommend the use of 3LPO for US pipeline operators.   More...

 •Enhanced Defect Detection and Sizing Accuracy Using Matrix Phased-Array Ultrasonics Tools DTPH56-08-T-000002 [05/01/2008]
By using the next generation of Matrix Phased-Array (MPA) Ultrasonic Testing, defect detection and sizing accuracy can be enhanced to improve predicted pipeline reliabilities.   More...

 •Hybrid Laser/GMAW of High Strength Steel Gas Transmission Pipelines DTPH56-07-T-0003 [07/01/2007]
This project aims to develop innovative hybrid Yb-Fiber Laser and GMAW process and technologies for pipeline girth welding and to demonstrate the system under field conditions.   More...

 •Characterization Of Stress Corrosion Cracking Using Laser Ultrasonics DTPH56-06-T-0003 [04/01/2006]
Identified and demonstrated two different scan techniques that are applicable to Stress Corrosion Crack sizing and dentified “Time of Flight Diffraction” (TOFD) as the best technique as applicable to measuring the depth of Stress Corrosion Crack clusters.   More...

 •Differential Impedance Obstacle Detection Sensor (DIOD) – Phase 2 DTPH56-06-T-000005 [04/01/2006]
In this Success Story a prototype system was able to differentiate between metallic and non-metallic obstacles placed to the side of the sensor elements. Tests established that each of the four elements(distributed around the sensor) could detect obstacles in the quadrant that it faced.   More...

 •Hazardous Liquids Airborne Lidar Observation Study (HALOS) DTRS56-04-T-0012 [10/15/2004]
This R&D effort is to develop an understanding of the physical and spectral properties of hazardous liquid pipeline leaks and design a system capable of detecting and imaging such leaks from an airborne platform. This project is led by ITT Industries Space Systems, LLC.   More...

 •Optimizing Weld Integrity for X80 and X100 Linepipe DTRS56-04-BAA-0002 [10/05/2004]
This project will provide a better understanding of the factors that control strength and toughness in high strength girth welds and will enable high integrity girth welds to be more reliably and economically achieved in high strength pipelines. This project is led by Edison Welding Institute Inc.   More...

 •Evaluation of Hydrogen Cracking in Weld Metal Deposited by Cellulosic Coated Electrodes DTRS56-04-T-0010 [10/04/2004]
This research will provide a definition of conditions that can lead to hydrogen cracking in cellulosic shielded metal arc welded joints in pipelines and develop welding guidelines to prevent weld metal hydrogen cracking. This project is led by Edison Welding Institute Inc.   More...

 •Innovative Welding Processes for Small to Medium Diameter Gas Transmission Pipelines DTRS56-05-T-0001 [11/01/2004]
This project will develop innovative gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and hybrid laser-GMAW processes and technologies for single-sided pipeline girth welding of small to medium diameter pipe. This project is led by Edison Welding Institute Inc.   More...

 •Determining Integrity Reassessment Intervals Through Corrosion Rate Modeling and Monitoring DTRS56-04-T-0002 [10/01/2004]
This R&D effort addresses three challenging aspects of estimating corrosion rates: (1) external corrosion rates under CP shielded areas with and without flow, (2) internal corrosion rates as a function of gas quality, and (3) internal corrosion of liquids lines. This project is led by Southwest Research Institute.   More...

 •Nonlinear Harmonic-Based Mechanical Damage Severity Criteria for Delayed Failures in Pipelines - DTRS 56-04-T-0001 [10/01/2004]
The objectives of this investigation are to increase pipeline safety by formulating NLH-based defect severity criteria related to delayed failures in pipelines and to enable the developed NLH technology to be transferred to ILI service providers through collaboration with Tuboscope Pipeline Services. This project is led by Southwest Research Institute.   More...

 •Understanding Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) Signals from Mechanical Damage in Pipelines - DTPH56-05-T-0001 [04/01/2005]
This R&D effort is to understand, identify, and characterize the MFL signals arising from the geometric and residual stress components to enhance the reliability of employing MFL tools for mechanical damage detection and sizing. This project is led by Electricore, Inc.   More...

 • Application of Remote-field Eddy Current Testing to Inspection of Unpiggable Pipelines [10/01/2002]
This R&D effort is to design & demonstrate the feasibility of an inline inspection technology capable of detecting corrosion defects in pipelines that cannot be inspected by conventional inline inspection technologies. This project is led by Southwest Research Institute.   More...

 • Feasibility of In-line Stress Measurement by Continuous Barkausen Method [10/01/2002]
There is no commercially proven technology for measuring stress in a pipe wall using inline inspection (ILI). The challenge addressed by this project is to detect stress anomalies with a technique that is sensitive to pipe wall stress changes and easily adaptable to today’s smart pigging systems. This project is led by Southwest Research Institute.   More...

 • Baseline Study of Alternative In-line Inspection Vehicles [10/01/2002]
The objective of this project is to document the status of unpiggable pipelines and the mitigation options available to make them piggable. This research will also identify and document designs of inline inspection devices which are being used in other industries and which may have application to internal inspections of pipelines. This project is led by Southwest Research Institute.   More...

 • Digital Mapping of Buried Pipelines with a Dual Array System [10/01/2002]
This new technology will provide for the detection of all underground utilities, including plastic pipelines. This project is led by Witten Technologies, Inc.   More...

 • Airborne LIDAR Pipeline Inspection System (ALPIS) Mapping Tests [04/01/2001]
The Airborne LIDAR Pipeline Inspection System (ALPIS) is an airborne remote sensing system for detecting leaks associated with natural gas & hazardous liquid pipelines. This project is led by LaSen, Inc.   More...

 • Internal Corrosion Direct Assessment of Gas Transmission, Gathering, and Storage [02/03/2003]
This R&D effort will enhance the safety of pipelines & the ability of pipeline operators to maintain the integrity of pipelines with respect to internal corrosion. This project is led by Southwest Research Institute.   More...

 • Assessment and Validation of TFI-Identified Anomalies Criteria for Repair and Available Repair Methods [02/15/2003]
The objectives of the project are to (1) compile a catalog of seam weld defect types & (2) develop methods for evaluating seam weld defects to determine whether pipeline integrity has been compromised. This project is led by CC Technologies, Inc.   More...

 • Mechanical Damage Inspection Using MFL Technology [10/01/2002]
This project is for the further development of an inline inspection device (pig) that detects both corrosion and mechanical damage in a single inspection. The device would utilize a single magnetizer design. This project is led by Battelle Memorial Institute.   More...