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July 16, 2012
Technical Committees Meet to Prepare 2013 Research Program Ballot
In the Spring of 2012, the PRCI Technical Committees met to review research ideas for projects that will form the 2013 R&D research program ballot to be released at the end of July 2012. During the balloting process, Members weill allocate funds directly to programs and projects of importance to their operations and business drivers which together will make up the 2013 PRCI Research Program.
The Facilities Committees
On June 5-7, 2012 the PRCI Compressor and Pump Station Technical Committee (CAPSTC) met in Denver, CO, hosted by Technical Program Associate Member Dresser-Rand. The meeting provided technical updates on the Committee’s ongoing projects and developed projects for the 2013 ballot. The liquids pipeline CAPSTC members held a separate breakout session led by Ralph Dickau of Enbridge Pipelines which included ongoing liquid project review and development of budget items. The meeting included several presentations on waste heat recovery including the results of the current waste heat study that focuses on the economics, available equipment from GE, and emerging technologies from Dresser-Rand. Members may view the meeting minutes and associated presentations for this meeting on PRIME.
The Measurement Technical Committee meeting was held on May 29-31, 2012 in Antwerp, Belgium, hosted by Technical Program Associate Member Elster-Instromet. The meeting included a presentation from Dr. Grzegorz Roslonek on GERG research activities and Terry Grimley of Southwest Research Institute provided a demonstration of the latest version of the meter station design tool. The committee developed and prioritized proposed projects for the 2013 ballot. The meeting included opportunities to tour the Elster-Instroment and KROHNE manufacturing facilities, and the NMi EuroLoop test facilities. Members may view the meeting minutes and associated presentations for this meeting on PRIME.
The Pipeline Committees
PRCI would like to thank Martin Fingerhut, PRCI Board Member from Applus RTD, and his staff for co-hosting and co-sponsoring the Spring Meeting of the PRCI Pipeline Technical Committees in Barcelona, Spain on May 15-18, 2012. Of particular note was the NDE Best Practices Day held at Applus’ R&D facility in Bellaterra that provided an opportunity to review and discuss emerging NDE technologies and view demonstrations of a variety of NDE inspection devices developed by Applus RTD. The Best Practices individual technology sessions were each chaired by an industry expert and they were recognized for their leadership later in the week when Applus RTD CEO, Iain Light, presented each an award at the formal group dinner hosted by Applus RTD.
- ILI Qualification chaired by Shahani Kariyawasam of TransCanada
- Non-Piggable/Difficult to Inspect Segments chaired by Brian Woodhouse of National Grid UK
- NDE of Girth Welds for New Construction chaired by David Horsley of BP
- Innovation and the Future of NDE for Pipelines chaired by John O’Brien of Chevron
Over 150 PRCI members and contractor technical experts met in Committee sessions to review and prioritize the specific pipeline projects that will form the 2013 R&D ballot. Their efforts were informed by a review at the beginning of the week of the pipeline integrity R&D roadmap which is being spearheaded by PRCI’s Director of Pipeline Programs, Mark Piazza. This session was targeted to obtain input and perspective from non-North American pipeline operators that may not have had the opportunity to participate in previous sessions held in the US. The roadmap will culminate with a final review at the Fall PRCI Board of Directors meeting in Calgary, followed by its presentation at the International Pipeline Conference in September 2012, where a Panel Session has been specifically scheduled to address Collaborative Industry Research & Development. The panel session, Panel Session No 5, is scheduled on September 24, 2012, beginning at 1:30pm. The three Technical Committees – Corrosion, Operations & Integrity, and Design, Materials & Construction – identified projects for the 2013 R&D ballot that totaled $9.8 MM, while adhering to the Board guidance to reduce the number of projects to be submitted to the ballot.
The week was capped off by a tour of the Applus RTD research laboratories in Bellaterra. PRCI would like to extend its warmest thanks to Martin Fingerhut, Cesar Buque, Sergio Merelo, Jutta Rempe, and Katrin Specka of Applus RTD, for enabling to the Committees to experience the marvelous Spanish hospitality and culture and to stay abreast of the many very practical aspects of NDE technology advancements.
PRCI Members may access presentations from these meetings via the following links: NDE Best Practices Exchange, Corrosion, Design, Materials & Construction, and Operations & Integrity.
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