PRCI Establishes Research Objectives to Address Key Challenges Facing the Pipeline Industry

As part of the enhancements to its governance and research models to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness, PRCI has responded to the need to prioritize and execute key research initiatives in a timely manner. The establishment of Research Objectives (RO) for the organization will assist in driving our Research Portfolio and ensuring that we are addressing the key challenges facing the oil & gas pipeline industry.

These RO’s will provide the guidance needed to focus PRCI members on a unified and collaborative research agenda with key industry drivers that will focus on technology transfer, implementation of results, and a wide application of outcomes. In February 2016, the Executive Assembly ratified the following ROs as guidelines for project development going forward.

• Develop and/or validate technology and analytical processes that are capable of characterizing pipeline material properties with sufficient accuracy for application in pipeline integrity assessments.
• Develop and Enhance ILI technology to reliably detect, size and characterize indications that may be harmful to the integrity of the pipeline.
• Develop, evaluate and enhance NDE technologies and operator & data analyst performance to define the condition and assess the integrity of pipeline, facilities and associated infrastructure from outside or above the pipeline or facility.
• Improve the accuracy and application of Fitness for Service methodologies by reducing uncertainties. Define, understand and improve the key factors, including models that are involved in design, construction or integrity assessments of any component in systems covered by PRCI.
• Develop, demonstrate and validate repair systems, including those that can be deployed on in-service facilities. Determine the useful life and safe operating envelopes of such repair systems.
• Develop, demonstrate and validate intrusion monitoring and surveillance technologies to enhance detection of third-party activities, ground movement and interferences potentially affecting pipeline infrastructure.
• Reduce all releases, i.e., leaks and emissions, from all parts of hydrocarbon production, storage and transport infrastructure by developing, demonstrating and validating processes and technologies to detect, locate, measure, quantify and mitigate such releases.
• Enhance operational efficiency, flexibility, and availability including measurement functionality*, accuracy, characterization of flows and custody transfer at all points in production and delivery infrastructure including liquid pumping and gas compressor stations and all storage systems.
  *Functionality includes proper operation reliability and repeatability of measurements.