Author: PRCI
The 17th Biennial Joint Technical Meeting on Pipeline Research was held on May 11 - 15, 2009 in Milan, Italy. The meeting was hosted by the European Pipeline Research Group (EPRG), and proved again that the JTM represents a world-class forum for pipeline research excellence and addressing the challenges confronting the pipeline industry at a global level. The JTM was well attended by representatives of all three participating organizations, including PRCI and the Australian Pipeline Industry Association (APIA). Consistent with prior JTMs, there were a number of panels within topical areas where technical papers were presented by representatives of the member companies of the three organizations and our research contractors. Proceedings from the meeting are available for all PRCI member companies and can be obtained through PRCI's PRIME system.
In addition to the technical papers, a primary focus of the meeting was a series of separate workshops in parallel tracks that were organized by research program areas and technical disciplines to discuss and establish common research needs and identifying opportunities for collaboration. The objective of these sessions was to generate action plans for future research among the three organizations. As an outcome of the discussions at the JTM, EPRG has developed a technical proposal for a collaborative research project on the time-delayed failure of Mechanical Damage defects that is included on PRCI's 2010 voting ballot and will also be funded by APIA and EPRG. Other projects that are candidates for collaboration among EPRG-PRCI-APIA are also being discussed (e.g., Pipeline Defect Assessment Manual, or PDAM) and continued dialogue on coordination among the three organizations will continue through scheduled teleconferences and meetings.
PRCI appreciates the participation and support of our member company representatives that were in attendance in Milan.