2014 Research & Development: Meetings - Forums

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 The Government/Industry Pipeline R&D Forum was held in Rosemont, Illinois on August 6-7, 2014. The 2 day event is held periodically to generate a National research agenda that fosters solutions for the many challenges with pipeline safety and with protecting the environment. The forum allows public, government and industry pipeline stakeholders to develop a consensus on the technical gaps and challenges for future research. It also reduces duplication of programs, factors ongoing research efforts, leverages resources and broadens synergies. The national research agenda coming out of these events is aligned with the needs of the pipeline safety mission, makes use of the best available knowledge and expertise, and considers stakeholder perspectives. Specifically the forum:

  1. Identifies key pipeline technical challenges facing industry and government;
  2. Disseminates information on current research efforts; and
  3. Identifies new research that can help to meet known challenges.

Forum documents are available below.


Competitive Academic Agreement Program Student Poster Papers

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
University
of Tulsa
University
at Buffalo
1. University of
Colorado Denver

2. Arizona State University
North Dakota
State University
Columbia
University
Iowa State
University
Ohio
University


Government/Industry Pipeline R&D Forum
Rosemont, Illinois
August 6-7, 2014
Agenda


Welcome/Opening Remarks:

Forum Moderator: Alan Mayberry
Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy & Programs, DOT/PHMSA

Panel 1: National Perspectives on Key Technical Challenges

Moderator: Ken Lee
Director, Engineering and Research, DOT/PHMSA

U.S. Federal Regulator: Ken Lee
Director, Engineering and Research, DOT/PHMSA

U.S. State Regulator: Ralph Graeser
Gas Safety Supervisor Southwest Region, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

Hazardous Liquid Perspective: Craig Pierson
President, Marathon Pipe Line LLC

Gas Transmission Perspective: Terry Boss,
Sr. V.P. Environment, Safety & Operations, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America

Gas Distribution Perspective: Grant Yoshihara
V.P. Utility Operations, NW Natural

Competitive Academic Agreement Program Overview

Moderator: Alan Mayberry
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety, DOT/PHMSA

Panel 2: Current Industry Research Roadmaps

Moderator: James Merritt
Research Program Manager, DOT/PHMSA

Pipeline Research Council International: Mike Whelan
Director, Research Operations, PRCI

Northeast Gas Association/NYSEARCH: Dr. George Vradis
Consultant, NYSEARCH/NGA & Professor, New York University

Operations Technology Development: Maureen S. Droessler
Program Administrator, OTD

Working Group Overview

Moderator: Alan Mayberry
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety, DOT/PHMSA

Working Groups

1. Damage Prevention

  1. Jim Merritt, DOT/PHMSA, 'Summary of Related Research and Technical Issues'
  2. Steve Light, VA Utilities Commission, 'VA 811'
  3. George Ragula, Public Service Electric & Gas, 'Damage Prevention Initiatives'
  4. Alicia Farag, Gas Technology Institute (GTI), 'Applications of Geospatial Technologies for Preventing Excavation Damage'
  5. Vijayan Asari, University of Dayton, 'Advanced Image Analysis for Automated Pipeline Threat Interaction'

2. Leak Detection/Fugitive Methane

  1. Max Kieba, DOT/PHMSA, 'Summary of Related Research and Technical Issues'
  2. Virginia Palacios, Environmental Defense Fund, 'Environmental Perspective on Methane Emissions and EDF Research Program Overview'
  3. Roger Fernandez, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 'EPA Perspective on Methane Emissions and the Natural Gas STAR Program'
  4. Nikos Salmatanis, Chevron, 'API 1149 Update'
  5. Brent Koym, CenterPoint Energy, 'Spectroscopy and Natural Gas Leak Detection'
  6. Robert Wilson, National Grid, 'Practical Aspects of Managing Gas Distribution System Methane Emissions & Technology Gaps'
  7. Joe Mallia, NYSEARCH, 'NYSEARCH Overview of Ongoing Leak Detection and Methane Emissions Projects'
  8. Kristine Wiley, Gas Technology Institute/Operations Technology Development, 'Improving Methane Emissions Estimates for the Natural Gas Industry'
  9. Carrie Greaney, Pipeline Research Council International, 'Current PRCI Research in Leak Detection'

3. Anomaly Detection/Characterization

  1. Joshua Johnson, DOT/PHMSA, 'Summary of Related Research and Technical Issues'
  2. Sergio Limon, Limon Pipeline Analytics, 'Inside the Pipe Technology'
  3. Ravi Krishnamurthy, Blade Energy Partners, 'Pressure-Testing Technical Challenges'
  4. Dash Weeks, DOC/NIST, 'Fatigue Flaw Reference Standard Development for NDE'
  5. Douglas Schneider, Sempra Utilities, 'Difficult to Inspect Pipelines'
  6. Ed Stracke, PG&E, 'Pressure Testing Implementation Challenges'
  7. Sergio Limon, Limon Pipeline Analytics, 'Gaining Further Understanding and Insights of Crack Features from Data Collected by ILI Crack Tools'

4. Improving Risk Models

  1. Oliver Moghissi, DNV GL North America Oil & Gas, 'An overview of Various Risk Models'
  2. Chris Foley, Phillips 66 Pipeline LLC, 'One Operator’s Use of a Pipeline Risk Model'
  3. Robert Smith, DOT/PHMSA, 'A Summary of Related Issues for Risk Models'
  4. David Merte, NGA/NYSEARCH, 'Modeling of Pipeline Interacting Threats'
  5. Ernest Lever, Gas Technology Institute, 'Achieving Useful Risk Models Through Causality, Coherence and Data Development'

5. Addressing Legacy Materials Challenges

  1. Brian Leis, B N Leis, Consultant, Inc, 'Legacy Materials Issues Overview'
  2. Steve Nanney, DOT/PHMSA, 'Summary of Related Research and Technical Issues'
  3. Jerry Rau, Energy Transfer, 'Legacy Pipelines: Perspective and Gaps Assessment'
  4. David Katz, Williams, 'Condition Assessment Aspects'
  5. Juan Santiago, Integrys Business Support, 'Cast Iron Main Replacement: Implementation, Progress and Learnings'
  6. Adam Biggam, ENengineering, 'Innovative Technologies & Engineering for Repair/Replacement of Legacy Pipe'
  7. Dennis Jarnecke, Gas Technology Institute, 'Ranking Models, Extending Life & Replacement of Legacy Pipe'

Working Group Report-Outs

  1. Damage Prevention
  2. Leak Detection/Fugitive Methane
  3. Anomaly Detection/Characterization
  4. Improving Risk Models
  5. Legacy Materials Challenges

Summary & Next Steps

Moderator: Alan Mayberry
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety, DOT/PHMSA

Sponsored by U.S. DOT PHMSA and The National Association
of Pipeline Safety Representatives