PRCI

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January 4, 2011

PRCI Announces its 2011 Program for Energy Pipeline Research

Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI), announced today its 2011 Research Program as approved by the Board of Directors at its summer 2010 meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. To assure the success of the 2011 program, PRCI members have contributed over $8 million in direct funding to more than 70 projects.

PRCI President Cliff Johnson noted that “Through PRCI, the energy pipeline industry has a long, successful history of collaborative research that strives to ensure pipeline integrity, reliability, safety, and environmental protection.”

PRCI’s 2011 Program will address a spectrum of research needs and opportunities covering nearly every aspect of pipeline operations. The following highlights a number of specific initiatives in 2011 that will advance the energy pipeline industry:


  • Corrosion – review the performance of Fusion Bonded Epoxy coating; improving the internal corrosion threat guidelines; development of grinding limits guidelines for repair of SCC on operating pipelines
  • Design, Materials & Construction – expanding PRCI’s On-bottom Pipeline Stability Analysis tools; relationship between welding procedure/parameters and the mechanical properties of the girth welds; subsea applications of weld overlay pipe
  • Operations & Integrity – continued focus on Nondestructive Evaluation inspection technologies; field tests to evaluate and quantify the performance of leak detection technologies; multiple programs addressing pipeline damage prevention
  • Compressor & Pump Station – liquid pumps mechanical seals; catalyst-based after-treatment technologies; minimizing gas compressor cylinder lubricating oil consumption; complete an evaluation of a gas turbine field maintenance package
  • Measurement – assessment of the auto-adjust and self-checking capabilities of dual rotor turbine meters; cost-effective orifice meter performance diagnostic tools; extend the Meter Station Design Tool capability; develop low cost, distributed gas quality sensors using crossover technologies
  • Underground Storage – field test of an improved brine string stiffener in a salt cavern; cement bond log inspection tools; development of a possible mechanical integrity test based on gas expansion cooling

“Pipelines remain the safest mode of transportation; however, any failure is unacceptable. In light of the recent high-impact pipeline failures, it is important that the industry work collaboratively to find solutions to issues facing these critical assets,” stated Paul MacGregor, PRCI Chairman. He went on to say, “With the ongoing increase in the demand for energy, we will continue to expect more from the pipeline infrastructure, but in meeting that demand we must assure that pipelines operate in a safe, reliable, and environmentally benign manner.”

Mr. Johnson stated that “The real value of collaborative research is the contribution it makes to assuring that the pipeline industry’s multi-billion dollar investment in practices, tools, and equipment to assure safety, reliability, and productivity is based on sound science and technology. Our 2011 Research Program adds to a solid basis on which to develop the solutions that the industry will need to continually improve performance, and make zero high-impact failures a reasonable goal.”

Visit the Current Research page of the Research section of our website for a detailed view of the Program.

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