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Glossary of Terms
Associate Member (AM)
A member company of PRCI that does not operate pipelines, but has a commitment to the energy pipeline industry and capabilities in technology transfer, particularly commercialization. AMs are vital to the success of PRCI as they bring important capabilities in assuring that the research results produced by PRCI are deployed in the industry and the market place. As such, they enable the critical aspect of what we do – research deployment.
Board of Directors
As the locus of strategic planning and direction, an effective and engaged Board of Directors is essential to the success of PRCI in accomplishing its Mission and realizing its Vision. The Board is comprised of one voting representative from each pipeline member company, following a policy of “one member-one vote.” The Board meets to review program progress and provide guidance on program selection for the following year, and provides final technical program approval.
Cofunding
Funds provided by non-members (including government) to support the PRCI research program.
Energy Pipelines
Natural gas transmission and crude oil and petroleum products pipelines.
Executive Committee (EC)
From the Board of Directors, nine members are drawn to form the
Industry Organization
Key trade associations in the United States that represent the economic, legislative, and regulatory interests of the industry. For many of these organizations, PRCI has provided essential technical support to the advocacy of important industry initiatives undertaken in these organizations for the benefit of their members and the industry at large.
Intellectual Property (IP)
There are generally three forms of IP developed for PRCI for the use and benefit of its members under sponsored contract work. As such, the following forms of IP belong to all PRCI members in good standing: 1) technical reports for completed work; 2) supporting software of computer algorithms in lieu of or accompanying a report; and, 3) the development of hardware, tools, or manufactured equipment for various aspects of the operation of pipelines and related facilities. Reports and software are available to download in our Publications & Reports Library.
Pipeline Member
A PRCI member company that operates natural gas transmission and/or crude oil and petroleum products pipelines (together “energy pipelines”).
Program
Comprised of several projects, typically lasting more than one year, which when viewed as a whole help to advance the knowledge and operation of a focus area and achieve research opportunities and threats.
Program Manager
A member of PRCI’s staff responsible for managing projects and programs and ensuring their timely and effective execution and completion.
Program Roadmap
A visual aid to illustrate the projects, project goals, plans and results over time.
Project
The research activities necessary to achieve a discrete research objective.
Project Team
A group of technical experts within the PRCI membership that oversees all work performed on a project and for ensuring that the report and deliverables meet expectations. They also participate in new project planning in their specified program areas.
Project Team Leader
A member of the Project Team that coordinates all project report reviews and participates in the planning of new projects within the team’s program area.
Qualifying Pipeline Mileage
Pipeline membership subscription includes a base fee and a charge that is calculated annually based on reported “qualifying pipeline mileage.” For natural gas transmission operators, all pipe with a diameter of 6" or greater and operated at a pressure of 500 psi or greater.
For liquid pipeline operators, all pipe with a diameter of 6" or greater and operated at 20% or greater of the pipe’s specified minimum yield strength (SMYS).
Research Contractor
A research and development organization with whom PRCI contracts for the execution of the PRCI research program. These organizations range from large, multi-discipline corporations and non-profit institutions to small, pipeline niche firms to major colleges and universities, both in the United States and around the world. Taken together, the scientists, analysts, technicians, and laboratory and testing facilities of its research contractors provide PRCI with a vast, diverse, world-class research asset base on which to develop the research solutions that serve the membership and the wider industry.
Research Objective
The intended focus or purpose of a research project or projects the deliverables of which address an important technical need (e.g. developing a decision tool for pipe defect remediation).
Research Program
An annual program for research development that begins by collecting research ideas from interested industry organizations and our research partners, and concludes with member companies allocating funds directly to projects of importance to their operations and business drivers.
Subscription
The amount owed annually by a member company to PRCI which the member company may allocate to specific programs and projects included in an annual research program ballot.
Supplemental Funding
Funds provided by a member company in excess of its Subscription for use on a specific research program or project selected by that company.
Technical Committee (TC)
A group of technical experts assigned by member companies, through which PRCI plans and develops research programs and projects focused on specific areas of pipeline research. TCs gather to review significant research results, provide oversight and management of specific projects where necessary, and to plan new and on-going objectives for research activities.
TCs play a critical role in developing and managing the roadmaps of each of PRCI’s research objectives, and in so doing assure that the various Project Teams aligned under them work in concert to identify gaps in needed research and avoid duplication.
Technical Committee Chairman
One member of each TC, appointed by the Chairman of the Board, that is responsible for all work and deliverables produced by the TC. The TC Chair directs the committee’s technical and collaborative efforts, relying on all TC members for program and project development support, and to identify and pursue funding and co-funding opportunities. The Chair is responsible for presenting TC information before the PRCI Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Technical Program Associate Member (TPAM)
An Associate Member of PRCI that only participates on specific selected Technical Committees of PRCI.
Voting Ballot
A web-based electronic system for member companies to allocate funds directly to programs and projects of importance to their operations and business drivers to develop the annual research program.