The purpose of the study is to determine the current and projected R&D budgets of government agencies, the pipeline industry, manufacturers, and research consortiums; the focus of their funded research, and the prudent and correct levels of investment and research for the future for the natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline sectors.  The study will attempt to gauge the natural gas industry’s investment in R&D in comparison with similar type of industries and determine if the level of investment is sufficient to address the industry needs.   Due to uncertainties of disjointed approaches that currently exist, the industry is at possible risk of underinvestment in R&D that could negatively impact customers and the safe, reliable, and cost effective delivery of natural gas to residential and business consumers.