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FALLS CHURCH, VA, December 1, 2011 - Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI), announces its 2012 Research Program as approved by the Board of Directors at its September 2011 meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To assure the success of the 2012 program, PRCI members have contributed nearly $9 million in direct funding to more than 50 projects.
"Through the collaborative research model that PRCI employs we have developed a research agenda for 2012 that will continue to deliver on the organization's core mission of technology development in support of safer and more environmentally friendly approaches to operating and maintaining the energy pipeline infrastructure around the world. Each of our members is committed to the long term reliability, safety and integrity of their systems. Through the collaborative process and commitment of financial and intellectual resources we are able to clearly agree on the needs of the industry and advance a technology development program that addresses those needs," stated Eric Amundsen, Chair of PRCI.
PRCI's 2012 Program will address a spectrum of research needs and opportunities covering nearly every aspect of pipeline and facilities operations. The following highlights a number of specific initiatives in 2012 that will advance the energy pipeline industry:
- Corrosion - Re-inspection intervals for pipelines experiencing external corrosion; coatings performance and effectiveness; internal corrosion threat assessment; SCC susceptibility evaluations; SCC mitigation and repair; and, pipeline integrity and assurance of reliability for SCC.
- Design, Materials & Construction - Alternate gas products research continues with projects to improve members' design capabilities for new pipelines to transport CO2; research seeking to improve transmission pipeline construction efficiency while maintaining required quality standards, an effort being conducted with the support of the International Pipeline and Offshore Contractors Association (IPLOCA) and the Interstate Natural Gas Association Foundation (INGAA Foundation); continued research in the areas of materials, welding and non-destructive testing (NDT) with the evaluation of composite pipeline repair systems for offshore pipeline repair challenges and reinforcement of onshore lines to permit continued rated service, which will offer substantial cost avoidance and reduction of transmission line outage time; projects to advance the state of the art in transmission pipeline weld quality and efficiency; structural integrity assessment especially fitness for service of vintage pipelines; and, structural significance of mechanical damage.
- Operations & Integrity - A comprehensive portfolio that is focused on developing new technology and improving tools and methods for onshore and offshore pipeline integrity management, including four separate programs that are directed at high priority needs in the pipeline industry - ERW/longitudinal seam pipe; small leak detection for liquid pipelines; mechanical damage inspection and characterization; and automating monitoring and surveillance of pipeline right of way corridors. These programs are complemented by a number of projects directed at development of non-destructive evaluation technologies, both inside (in-line inspection) and outside (in ditch methods) the pipe, quantifying the performance capabilities of current technologies, and improving methods and applying technology for pipeline damage prevention.
- Compressor & Pump Station - A program for compressor engine compliance with current and expected air toxics regulations; a program to derive reliability and fuel efficiency improvements, as well as enhanced compliance capabilities from the application of retrofit NOx control technologies; gas turbine emissions compliance; evaluation of the applicability of the NO2 dispersion model currently mandated by EPA; the effect of ethanol on pump station components, and liquid CO2 pump station technology challenges.
- Measurement - Continued focus on the performance of ultrasonic meters under varying operating conditions and installation configurations, and a meter station design tool expanded to include linear meter options.
- Underground Storage - A program for storage field integrity to provide additional tools to storage field operators (both reservoir and caverns) to meet emerging storage facility integrity management requirements.
Cliff Johnson, President of PRCI, commented "This research agenda demonstrates willingness by the industry to continue looking for ways to ensure a safer and more efficient pipeline network. As we look for the next opportunities, PRCI has taken the lead to host a Pipeline R&D Summit to establish an overarching agenda for all of the industry for onshore pipelines. This event will be held in early December in Houston, Texas and will be attended by PRCI members and leading stakeholders in the pipeline industry. These collaborative efforts continue to move the industry forward."
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PRCI is a non-profit research organization that is comprised of energy pipeline operating companies located in the United States, Europe, Canada, South America, and the Middle East. Augmenting the pipeline membership are associate members drawn from companies in the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Mexico, Japan, and Australia that serve the industry as pipe and equipment manufacturers, service providers, and vendors. To learn more about PRCI, visit www.prci.org. |
