News from organisations affilliated to IGU With research and development very much
Working to enhance pipeline safety and
at the forefront of this issue of International
integrity
Gas we have an in-depth look at the project
By Cliff Johnson
portfolio of Pipeline Research International
In an effort to continuously enhance the safety
(PRCI) highlighting the full range of their
and integrity of the global pipeline infra
enquiries into all aspects of the pipeline
structure the Pipeline Research Council Inter
industry. Following on from that the Gas
national (PRCI), performs research in a number
Technology Institute (GTI) discusses a new
of key areas: corrosion; compressor and pump
system that will increase safety on
stations; integrity and inspection; design,
horizontal drilling projects in urban areas.
materials, and construction; measurement;
The European Gas Research Group (GERG)
underground storage; and surveillance, oper
brings us the latest news on their work,
ations and monitoring. To support these efforts
particularly in the areas of biomethane and
PRCI has established eight research objectives:
hydrogen in relation to their introduction
◆ Develop and/or validate technology and
to the gas grid. On the subject of training,
analytical processes that are capable of charac
Energy Delta Institute (EDI) provides an
terising pipeline material properties with
overview of their global executive pro
sufficient accuracy for application in pipeline
grammes. On the transportation front,
integrity assessments.
NGVA Europe presents their latest report,
◆ Develop and enhance in-line inspection (ILI)
Greenhouse Gas Intensity of Natural Gas,
technology to reliably detect, size and charac
a flagship reference study on gas as a
terise indications that may be harmful to the
transportation fuel in Europe. And rounding
integrity of the pipeline.
out the section, IPLOCA, the International
◆ Develop, evaluate and enhance non-
Pipe Line and Offshore Contractors Asso
destructive evaluation (NDE) technologies and
ciation discusses the expansion of its
operator and data analyst performance to
membership structure to include Corres
define the condition and assess the integrity of
ponding Members and the opportunities this
pipeline, facilities and associated infrastructure
will provide to broaden engagement across
from outside or above the pipeline or facility.
the industry.
◆ Improve the accuracy and application of
As we highlighted earlier in the magazine,
fitness for service methodologies by reducing
this year IGU welcomes ARPEL, the Regional
uncertainties. Define, understand and improve
Association of Oil, Gas and Biofuels Sector
the key factors, including models that are
Companies in Latin America and the
involved in design, construction or integrity
Caribbean, to its Affiliated Organisations.
assessments of any component in systems
We have an introduction to their work on
covered by PRCI.
page 134 and look forward to bringing
◆ Develop, demonstrate and validate repair
you their latest news in the spring/summer
systems, including those that can be deployed
2018 issue of International Gas.
on in-service facilities. Determine the useful
108 N e w s f r o m o r g a n i s a t i o n s a f f i l l i a t e d t o I G U
