PRCI would like to thank GE Inspection Services, JENTEK Sensor, Inc., and Riccardelli Consulting Services for their participation and support during the Board visit.

GE Inspection Services demonstration of their Saturated Low –Field Eddy Current (SLOFEC) technology on a robotic platform.

Former in-service pipeline samples with surface preparation completed and ready for inspection.

Demonstration of JENTEK Sensors, Inc. MWM-array technology for characterizing Mechanical Damage dent+gouge defects.

Please click to view additional photos from the visit.

PRIME is hosted by a third-party company, Intuit, using their QuickBase database tool. QuickBase is in the process of updating its software which includes an interface change that will affect all of its users, including PRIME users. While general functionality and content will remain the same, PRIME will have a new “look and feel” intended to enhance the user experience. A few screenshots comparing the old interface to the new interface are included below. These changes will take effect on April 25, 2013.

PRCI will be notifying all of its PRIME users of the upcoming change, as well as posting a schedule of orientation webinars for users to attend to learn more about the new interface, how to navigate it, and to answer any questions. Video recordings of these webinars will be posted on PRIME for later reference and viewing for those users that are not able to attend.

As with any new and complex database, there will be a transition period where we will make adjustments in PRIME to accommodate the new interface. We appreciate your patience as we work through this transition to enable you to access all of the essential information you require in a highly organized manner to enhance the value of your membership and your participation in PRCI.

Please feel free to contact PRCI with any questions.

A few screenshots comparing the old interface to the new interface are included below. Click each image to enlarge.

The project being initiated by PRCI is in direct response to the recent focus on ILI tool performance regarding detection, identification, and sizing and characterization of cracks and crack like features in pipelines. There is a substantial body of data available through existing pipeline operator records and integrity management programs that demonstrate the effective performance of ILI tools for detecting and characterizing cracks. While most of the recent failures have occurred after ILI tools have been run through the pipelines, the number of these incidents relative to total mileage of pipelines that have been inspected is extremely low and the ILI crack tools (and the related data analysis and other components of the overall ILI process) generally perform at a very high level. Existing operator records can be evaluated to demonstrate that ILI tools of been used effectively to detect features and make repair/remediation decisions based on the data.

The project is focusing on data mining and analysis of existing industry data and information and not the development of new data. This PRCI project is being implemented to compile and consolidate existing industry data from pipeline operators that have substantial experience running ILI crack tools and use these data to define the performance capability and reliability of ILI technologies for detecting and characterizing cracks and crack-like features.

Successful implementation and completion of this project is of substantial importance to PRCI’s member companies and, more broadly, the pipeline industry. This project will establish a basis and industry standard for collection, compilation, management, and analysis of ILI data for all feature types. PRCI expects to utilize the processes and procedures developed under this ILI crack tool reliability evaluation to the evaluation of other ILI data for a range of features as part of the comprehensive program being conducted on ILI Enhancements and Improvements within PRCI.

Considering the importance of this work across the pipeline industry, PRCI is seeking to engage non-member companies that may have data to contribute to the study and will execute Participation Agreements for any non-member company that can bring valuable information in support of the study. Information regarding the project can be obtained by contacting Mark Piazza, PRCI Director of Pipeline Programs.

After reviewing and compiling the research ideas, the TCs will evaluate each for possible inclusion on the 2014 R&D annual voting ballot through comparison to the R&D Roadmap and gaps identified in the roadmap. With the substantial advancement of the R&D Roadmap it is now being relied on as the primary planning tool for the development of PRCI’s R&D programs.

Registration for the May 2013 Pipeline Program TC Meeting closes April 29, 2013. Members can find more details on the meeting and register here. If you have questions regarding the meeting, please contact either Mark Piazza, PRCI Director of Pipeline Programs or Natalie Tessel, Manager of Membership and Communications.

The theme of the 2013 Banff Workshop was Performance and Perception. Each of these topics was addressed by keynote speakers in an opening plenary session, including Art Meyer, COO of Enbridge Pipelines and former PRCI Chair of the Board of Directors, who addressed industry performance measures and the drive for continuous improvements and zero incidents. The presentation emphasized the role of research and technology development to achieve the goal of zero-incident pipeline operations. Each of the Working Groups used the workshop themes as the basis for the session content and session-specific agendas and to guide the discussions throughout the Workshop proceedings.

The topic of perception generated a substantial level of discussion. The discussion focused on the current general negative perception of the pipeline industry by the public and in most media communications, and what measures if any the industry should take to shift public opinion through an effective communication and advocacy strategy. It was noted that the industry has gone from being virtually unknown in the public eye to one of the most discussed and contentious issues of the past few years, driven by the recent high-profile pipeline failures that have occurred over the past several years and the substantial, and at times even national, debate over the Keystone XL pipeline. From the opening plenary presentation, by Ed Whittingham of the Pembina Institute, through all of the working group sessions there was a substantial interest and level of discussion on the role of the industry in effectively communicating on the excellent record of performance and safety for the transportation and delivery of energy products via pipelines. One outcome of the workshop may be the formation of a Task Force to begin the process of evaluating how the communications would be developed, coordinated, and managed. The topic is relevant to PRCI as we strive to communicate and advocate the benefits and value of pipeline R&D and deploy the research results to the end users. As such, PRCI would be a member of any Task Force formed to address public perception of pipelines.

There were a number of PRCI member company representatives that served as Working Group co-Chairs and Facilitators for the 2013 Banff Pipeline Workshop, as listed below. There were many references to PRCI projects and funded work, and several Working Groups included presentations that were based on PRCI R&D, including Working Groups on Aging Infrastructure, Human Factors, SCC, and Geohazards. PRCI sends our thanks to all those member company representatives that volunteered their time to support such an important event and deploy the results of PRCI-funded R&D to the pipeline operating community.

• Darren Skibinsky, Alliance Pipeline and Gina O’Beirne, TransCanada Pipelines – Issues for Managers (Working Group #1)
  
• Craig Jacobsen, GE Oil & Gas and Mark Piazza, PRCI – Aging Infrastructure (Working Group #4)
  
• Jim Marr and Richard Kania, TransCanada Pipelines and Sean Keane, Enbridge Pipelines – Environmental Assisted Cracking (Working Group # 5)
  
• Lorna Harron, Enbridge Pipelines – Human Factors (Working Group #6)
  
• Shahani Kariyawasam , TransCanada Pipelines – Pipeline Risk Management (Working Group #7)
  
• Trevor Place, Enbridge Pipelines – Internal Corrosion (Working Group #10)
  
• Millan Sen, Enbridge Pipelines – Managing Geotechnical Hazards (Working Group #11)

The JTM will feature 36 papers that represent the very latest and best research being done through the cooperative programs of PRCI, EPRG and APIA. The JTM session themes will be:

• Mechanical Damage
  
• Welding and Inspection
  
• Fracture Control
  
• Corrosion
  
• Ground Movement
  
• Safety and Design
  
• CO₂ Pipelines
  
• Materials

PRCI membership has shown strong support for the JTM, with over 40 delegates currently registered to attend the JTM that are representing PRCI’s member companies and research contractors.

Registration for the JTM closes on April 15 so we encourage members to register immediately if you have not done so yet. Please contact Mark Piazza, Director of Pipeline Programs, with any questions regarding the meeting agenda and content, registration, or other logistics related to the JTM.

PRCI elected to submit the White Papers and full proposals based on the consistency between the Research Announcement topic areas and several of PRCI’s research programs. The proposals submitted included the following (the Research Topic Number from the Research Announcement is provided following each proposal title):

• Determination of the Performance of In the Ditch NDE Techniques (Topic No. 8)
  
• Improvement of Inspection Technology Capability to Detect and Characterize Complex Mechanical Damage Features (Topic No. 9)
  
• Development of an Industry Test facility and Qualification Processes for ILI Technology Evaluation and Enhancements (Topic No. 10)

The White Papers submitted to PHMSA are being reviewed by a panel of pipeline industry professionals, which will make recommendations to PHMSA on selection and funding of R&D projects. The review is expected to be completed and notifications provided by PHMSA in the second quarter of 2013. The Research Announcement indicated that the expected level of funding for the R&D projects that are selected by PHMSA will be approximately $10 million.

Special acknowledgement to PRCI member company representatives that played a significant role in leading the development of the technical proposals goes to Mr. John O’Brien of Chevron Energy Technology Company, and Messrs. Remi Batisse and Mures Zarea of GDF Suez.

Anyone interested in additional information on the Research Announcement and PRCI’s response and technical proposals should contact Mark Piazza, PRCI’s Director of Pipeline Programs.

For each of the R&D panels, a topic or theme will be identified to focus the discussions on a topical area of high interest to NACE’s membership. PRCI will also provide an update on significant R&D results for the energy transportation pipeline industry at each meeting. PRCI welcomes suggestions for the R&D panels, particularly from experts and technical leaders in industries other than energy pipelines, so that we are balanced in the discussion on all the industry sectors that are represented at NACE.

The initial NACE-PRCI R&D Panel will be held at the NACE 2013 CORROSION conference in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, March 20, 9:00 a.m. to noon. The panel includes the following presenters and topics:

• Mark Piazza – Welcome and Opening: NACE TEG 016X From Problem Identification to R&D Deployment
  
• Hans Deeb – Key Initiatives in PRCI Corrosion Control Committee
  
• Brian Leis – Full-scale Testing and Evaluation of Assessment Methods for External Corrosion on Pipeline Steels
  
• Neil Thompson – Using ILI Data to Verify CP Criteria
  
• Christophe Baete – Develop a New Unique AC Corrosion CP Mitigation Criterion
  
• Open Floor, Presentations, and Discussion
  

PRCI looks forward to continuing to support NACE and further developing the benefits of the MOU and cooperative relationship between NACE and PRCI.

A major theme for this year’s event was global innovation and collaboration. The Keynote speakers, Andrew Aubrey, Technologist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratories and Chuck Szmurlo, Vice President of Alternative & Emerging Technology at Enbridge, Inc., challenged the attendees to push the boundaries of current technologies, identify opportunities and new solutions with origins outside the pipeline industry, and to move quickly in adapting new technologies with promise to further improve pipeline integrity and safety.

Results and outcomes over the past year from over 50 completed and select ongoing PRCI research projects that focused on improving pipeline safety and integrity were reviewed. To accommodate the breadth of content, the meeting was organized into four technical tracks:

• Corrosion, led by Committee Chair Laurie Perry of Southern California Gas;
  
• Design, Materials and Construction, led by Committee Vice-Chairs Rick Gailing of Southern California Gas and Arti Bhatia of Alliance Pipeline;
  
• Mechanical Damage, led by Operations and Integrity Committee Chair, Mures Zaréa of GDF Suez; and,
  
• Operations and Integrity, led by Committee Vice-Chair John O’Brien of Chevron.
  

New this year, attendees were able to observe first-hand examples of how the results from PRCI-funded R&D are being utilized by its members to support their day-to-day operations, construction, and integrity management efforts. This included a poster session that highlighted PRCI accomplishments on a number of projects and programs as well as demonstrations of several technologies developed through PRCI’s R&D programs.

An attendee from Calgary remarked, “The Research Exchange Meeting is a really great opportunity to meet industry specialists and representatives. I learned a lot about the current industry status and technology, and had access to people on a first hand basis who I would not otherwise have been able to engage.”

PRCI President Cliff Johnson noted, “One of the benefits of membership in PRCI is access to a broad range of Subject Matter Experts for pipeline operations and research on a global scale. The Research Exchange Meeting is the opportunity to bring many of these experts together in one setting to review the state of pipeline research and help define the future direction for our programs.”

PRCI would like to thank this year’s sponsors, Chevron, Enbridge, Energy Transfer, and ExxonMobil.

The 2013 CORE Symposium for a Compliant, Optimized, Reliable Engine has been planned for May 20-22 at the Northwest Forrest Conference Center in Houston. This conference is used as a technology information exchange meeting for PRCI research efforts on legacy natural gas compressor engines. This year, the symposium will focus on continuous diagnostic techniques for legacy engines. A topic of discussion that could impact many of the PRCI North American operators is using this technology to show continuous compliance with air emission limits. For registration information, see the CORE Symposium registration website.

The next Underground Storage Committee Meeting is scheduled for June 4 & 5, 2013.

Enterprise Products has graciously offered to host the meeting at their offices in Houston, TX.

The Winter 2014 Executive Committee Meeting will be held on Sunday afternoon, March 9, 2014.

Attendance is limited to members of the PRCI Executive Committee and invited guests.

The Winter 2014 PRCI Board of Directors Meeting will be held on March 10-11, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia.

There will be an Executive Committee meeting on Sunday afternoon, March 9, at which attendance will be limited to EC members and invited guests.
PRCI will be offering an introductory session the day before Board meetings for new Board members to learn more about PRCI as an organization, and the role and responsibilities you have as a member of the Board of Directors. The session, “PRCI 101,” will take place on Sunday evening, March 9 at 5:30pm.

Attendance is limited to members of the PRCI Board of Directors, Technical Committee Chairs, and invited guests.

The PRCI Pipeline Program will be hosting its annual Research Exchange Meeting for PRCI Members and invited guests on February 4-6, 2014 at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Research Exchange Meeting is scheduled each year to provide PRCI member companies, our key research partners, and external stakeholders with a report on the important research results and outcomes for completed and select ongoing research projects and programs in the last year. The meeting will include several days of technical sessions where the results of PRCI-funded R&D projects and programs are presented to the attendees.

The next Fall meeting of the PRCI Pipeline Technical Committees (Corrosion; Design, Materials, and Construction; Operations & Integrity) is on October 22-24, 2013 which will be hosted by PRCI Member Kinder Morgan at their offices in Houston. The Fall Technical Committee (TC) meeting is focused on developing the detailed plans and approach for executing PRCI’s 2014 Research Program, which will be determined through the annual ballot voting process.

One of the primary activities of the meeting will be to organize the Project Teams and develop execution plans for the approved projects from the 2014 ballot. This work will include confirming the scope of work, deliverables, schedule, and a list of vendors and contractors that are selected to receive any Requests for Proposal (RFPs) that are developed. The TCs will address newly-approved projects and the continuing projects and programs that are currently active and received additional funding from 2014 ballot funding. Each TC will evaluate the newly-approved projects and programs in context of the current work and activities, and organize and prioritize the work within the TC for 2014.

As the focus of this meeting is on the individual TC and its project teams, the general format of the meeting will consist of three separate meetings for each of the pipeline TCs that will take place simultaneously. There will be a brief opening plenary session for all three committees to meet together to discuss 2014 project plans or issues of common interest to the broader Pipeline Program. Once the Board has completed voting for the ballot in late September 2013, we will send out a more detailed agenda including the individual projects and programs that will be discussed.

PRCI is requesting that members support this meeting by either participating directly or by providing the support for their representatives to attend the meeting. We strongly encourage Project Team Leaders and those who wish to be active members of project teams to attend.

CIPC is the international academic/technological exchange seminar oriented towards oil & gas engineering and construction, operation and management as well as maintenance and co-hosted by Petroleum Storage & Transportation Committee of China Petroleum Society and PetroChina Company Limited, Pipeline Branch. For a long time, the conference has received great support from large energy enterprises such as CNPC, SINOPEC, CNOOC, GE Energy etc. The participants of the conference are mainly from members of Petroleum Storage & Transportation Committee of China Petroleum Society, transnational organizations which have long-term cooperative relationship with China in oil and gas industry and the pipeline technology service enterprises wishing to open the Chinese market. This conference is the only comprehensive international conference of oil & gas pipeline officially authorized by Chinese B2B Petroleum Society.