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Current Research Program

2013 Research Program

Every year, PRCI produces a collaborative research program aligning with the industry's priorities by means of an annual voting ballot. Members allocate funds directly to programs of importance to their operations and business drivers.

Member contributions of over $10 million for the 2013 program continue a multiple-year trend of increasing research spending. Research programs in which PRCI is currently engaged now total more than $20 million.

2013 Research Program

Corrosion
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Cathodic Protection System Performance
  • Develop an Alternate Method for Potential Measurement to Satisfy the Cathodic Protection Criteria
Structural Significance of Corrosion Defects
  • Develop an Optimized Set of Safety Factors or Response Criteria for Use With ILI Results
Coatings Performance and Effectiveness
  • Development of Pipeline Coating Fault Excavation and Inspection Documentation Procedures
Cathodic Protection System Performance
  • Evaluation of Current Practices and Equipment Used for Assessing the Integrity of the Coating System as the Pipe Comes Out of a Horizontal or Micro Tunneled Thrust Bored Pipelines Road Crossings
Re-Inspection Intervals for Corroded Pipelines
  • Improve the Performance of the External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA) Methodology
Internal Corrosion Threat Assessment
  • Internal Corrosion Sample Collection Guidelines
Operations & Integrity
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PROGRAM: Small Leak Detection for Liquid Pipelines
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Computational Pipeline Model Improvement
PROGRAM: Tools to Detect and Discriminate Mechanical Damage
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Creation of Dent and Gouge Defects for Inspection Technology Evaluation and Repair - Vintage Steels Without and With Cracks - Extension of MD-4F/MD-4-6 Project or DOT Project
PROGRAM: Right of Way Monitoring & Surveillance by Satellite
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Demonstration of Second Generation Satellite-based Pipeline Integrity Management - Lateral Ground Movement Detection Capabilities Derived from Synthetic Aperture Radar ("SAR")-based Sensor
PROGRAM: ILI Technology Improvements
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Determining Pipe Properties Using ILI Technology
Non-destructive Evaluation - Inside the Pipe
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: EMIT Technology Development for Longitudinal and Circumferential Crack Detection in Dry Gas Applications
Structural Significance of Mechanical Damage
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Fatigue Life Assessment of Dents, and Dents Interacting with Welds - Development of Severity Ranking Criteria For Dents Interacting with Metal Loss
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Full-scale Experimental Validation of Mechanical Damage Assessment Models - Extension of MD-4-6, Additional Material Characterization for Vintage Pipe from the Field & Additional Measurements as in MD-4-1
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Improved Model for Predicting the Burst Pressure of Dent + Gouge Damage - Rescoping and Rescheduling of Burst Model Development Project (Continuation of MD-4-3)
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Improved Model for Predicting the Time/Cycle Dependent Behavior of Dent + Gouge Damage - From February 2009 Research Exchange Meeting: Effect of Aggressor Parameters on Sub-gouge Microstructure and Cracking - Extension of MD-4-3, MD-4-4
PROGRAM: Right of Way Automated Monitoring
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Leak Detection Technology Field Tests
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Project Management Fees
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Supplemental Testing of Full System Technology Packages for Automated Monitoring of Machinery Threats
Non-destructive Evaluation - Outside the Pipe
  • DOT FUNDED CONTINUING PROJECT: Development of Improved Crack Depth Measurement Techniques
Structural Significance of Mechanical Damage
  • DOT FUNDED CONTINUING PROJECT: Extension of Full Scale Testing of Dents (MD-4-2) to Include Dents Interacting with Welds and Metal Loss in Vintage Pipe
  • PROGRAM: MD-4: Structural Significance of Mechanical Damage
Non-destructive Evaluation - Outside the Pipe
  • PROGRAM: Performance and Application of Various In-the-Ditch Tools and their Impact on Pipeline Integrity
PROGRAM: Right of Way Monitoring & Surveillance by Satellite
  • Advancing Target Detection Algorithms Using Satellite Data
PROGRAM: Right of Way Automated Monitoring
  • Algorithm Development for Machinery Threat Detection
PROGRAM: Right of Way Monitoring & Surveillance by Satellite
  • Comparison of RADAR Satellite Methods for Observation of Elevated Pipelines in the Arctic
PROGRAM: Tools to Detect and Discriminate Mechanical Damage
  • Comparison of Results from Residual Stress / Strain Measurement Techniques Based on Variations in Magnetic Permeability
PROGRAM: Right of Way Monitoring & Surveillance by Satellite
  • Evaluation of the Potential Detection of Environmental Disturbances/Excavation
PROGRAM: Small Leak Detection for Liquid Pipelines
  • Field Testing of Selected Technologies for In-situ Detection of Small Leaks from Liquid Pipelines
PROGRAM: Tools to Detect and Discriminate Mechanical Damage
  • Full-Scale Testing of Real Mechanical Damage Features Using Recovered Pipe
PROGRAM: Right of Way Automated Monitoring
  • Hydrocarbon Plume Vapor Modeling/Analysis
PROGRAM: Right of Way Monitoring & Surveillance by Satellite
  • Identification High-Value Areas Suited for Cost Shared Deployment of Satellite Monitoring
PROGRAM: ILI Technology Improvements
  • In The Ditch (In-Situ) Mechanical Property Measurements for Low Toughness Vintage Pipes
PROGRAM: Small Leak Detection for Liquid Pipelines
  • Leak Detection Performance Measurement
  • Leak Detection Program Effectiveness
Non-destructive Evaluation - Outside the Pipe
  • NDE & Inspection Trials Applied to Composite Wrap Repairs
PROGRAM: ILI Technology Improvements
  • Non-destructive Detection of Pipeline Properties and Stress Using Geostatistical Pattern Recognition Analysis of In-Line Inspection Magnetic Flux Leakage Data
ROW Monitoring and Damage Prevention Effectiveness
  • Pipeline Watch
PROGRAM: Small Leak Detection for Liquid Pipelines
  • Recognizing, Responding, and Reporting to Pipeline Ruptures - the 3Rs
PROGRAM: Right of Way Automated Monitoring
  • Research on Leak Monitoring Technology for Natural Gas Pipelines
  • ROW "Learning" Data Collection for Machinery Threats
PROGRAM: Tools to Detect and Discriminate Mechanical Damage
  • Selection and Management of Mechanical Damage Test Samples from Field Removal
  • Testing of New ILI Technologies for Mechanical Damage Features
Design, Materials and Construction
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Solutions for Pipeline Repair - In-Service / Maintenance Welding, Composites, Liners, etc.
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Assuring the Permanency of Composite Systems for the Repair of Corrosion
Pipe Materials - Subsea Applications
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: CRA Weld Overlay Pipes for Subsea Application - Phase 2 Weld Overlay in Pipe Samples
Construction Efficiency
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Guidelines for the Management of Pipeline Lifting and Lowering-In Stresses
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Onshore Pipeline Route Selection - Phase 2 - Guidance Document
Criteria for Evaluating Failure Susceptibility due to Crack Defects
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Part 2 of MAT-8-1 Developing Tools to Assure Safety Against Propagating Cracks in Gas Pipelines Made From Modern Steels with High Upper Shelf Charpy Energy
Structural Integrity Assessment
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Sleeve End Fillet Weld Stress Intensity Factor Solutions - Year 3
New and Improved Test Standards
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Standardization of Weld Testing Methods - Single Edge Notched Test (SENT) Fracture Toughness Measurements
Welding of High Strength Steel Pipelines
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Validation of Essential Variables and Test Methodologies for Double Jointing - Year 2
Materials & Construction Quality Assurance
  • Incorporation of High-Low Misalignment into Girth Weld Flaw Acceptance Criteria
Alternate Gas Products
  • Leak Prevention in CO2 Pipeline Valves and Launchers by Correct Seal Material Selection Part 2 - Subsequent Phase of ALT-1-3
New Research Technologies
  • NASA TecFusion Process
Recommended Practice for Measurement of Weld Tensile Properties
  • Quality/reliability of HFI/ERW Pipe (Seam Failures)
PROGRAM: Strain Based Design and Assessment
  • Tensile Strain Capacity
Welding Quality & Productivity
  • Tools for Effective Welding Process and Procedure Development
Full-Scale Buried Pipe Tests to Determine and Reduce Soil Loads on Buried Pipelines
  • Update of PRCI Seismic Design Guidelines
  • Weld Hydrogen Cracking Risk Management Guides
Compressor and Pump Station
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Extend Solar Turbines DLN Operating Range
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Collecting Cold Ambient Emissions Field Data on Solar's Titan 130 SoLoNOx Gas Turbine
PROGRAM: Compressor Station Engines - Toxic Emissions Compliance
  • CONTINUING PROJECT: Evaluation of Cylinder Wall Lubrication for Power Cylinder Timed Lube Oil Injection System
PROGRAM: Zero - Zero: Zero Hardware/Performance Failures & Zero Emissions Exceedances
  • Apply CORE Technologies to Medium and Small Size Engines - Field Demonstration
  • Demonstration of Compliance Verification Using On Board Diagnostics
  • Development of Universal Crank Angle Feedback Device for Reciprocating Engines
PROGRAM: Compressor Station Engines - Toxic Emissions Compliance
  • Field Evaluation of Continental Controls Corporation NSCR NOx Sensor Control System
  • Field Evaluation of Oxidation Catalyst Degradation on a 2-Stroke Lean-Burn NG Engine
PROGRAM: Zero - Zero: Zero Hardware/Performance Failures & Zero Emissions Exceedances
  • Fuel Additive Emissions Catalysts Study
Emission Monitoring & Reporting
  • GHG Emission Factor Improvement - Database Template
Equipment Reliability and O&M Cost Reduction
  • Pressure Transient Protection for Booster Pump Manifolds With ANSI 150 Flange Ratings
PROGRAM: Zero - Zero: Zero Hardware/Performance Failures & Zero Emissions Exceedances
  • Real Time NOx and CO Laser Sensor for Engine Feedback
  • Variable Fuel Composition Air Fuel Ratio Control of Lean Burn Engines
Measurement
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PROGRAM: Measurement of Non-Traditional Gas Supplies
  • Critical Measurement Issues Related to Emerging Gas Supplies
Measurement Uncertainty & System Balance and Facility Design
  • Effect of Upstream Piping Configurations on Ultrasonic Meter Bias - Flow Validation
  • Ethylene Measurement Using Coriolis Technology
PROGRAM: Measurement of Non-Traditional Gas Supplies
  • Evaluating Sampling Techniques for Shale Gas Supplies
Measurement Uncertainty & System Balance and Facility Design
  • Meter Station Design Procedures to Minimize Pipe Flow-Induced Pulsation Errors
Gas Quality Assurance
  • Miniaturized Gas Chromatography and Gas Quality Sensor
Measurement Uncertainty & System Balance and Facility Design
  • Performance Evaluation of New Generation Ultrasonic Meters in Compact Installations
Measurement Reliability
  • Ultrasonic Meter Performance in Liquid Transients
Underground Storage
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PROGRAM: Storage Field Integrity
  • Factors Affecting Downhole MFL Accuracy
  • Field Evaluation of Cement Bond Log Tool
  • Support to API Storage Recommended Practices Developments