The first six months of 2015 have been busy as always for Energy Pipelines CRC (EPCRC) staff, researchers and industry advisors.
The constant stream of research reports being produced through collaboration with industry has been an important reminder of the high quality work enabled through the cooperative research centres program.
However the Program is only a framework, it is the people who engage with the CRC who make it so productive.
I appreciate the input from all researchers and industry members in delivering the outcomes of the Energy Pipelines CRC.
Late last year the Federal Government requested a review of the overall CRC Program to determine its effectiveness in delivering industry focussed outcomes in areas key to the Australian economy.
Eighteen recommendations were handed down calling for all CRCs to take a stronger industry focus in the development of research projects as well as carrying them out.
A number of the recommendations reflected, in my opinion, our current model of research and industry collaboration.
It is important that this level of engagement is maintained and expanded upon in the future.
The beginning of May saw the 20th Joint Technical Meeting (JTM) on Pipeline Research held in Paris, France.
Attendees included members of Australian Pipeline and Gas Association (APGA), European Pipeline Research Group (EPRG) and the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI).
The meeting brought together some of the world’s leaders of pipeline research in areas key to ensuring the long term safety and efficiency of pipelines worldwide.
Australia was represented well by the team of Energy Pipelines CRC researchers (from RMIT University, the University of Adelaide, Deakin University and the University of Wollongong).
They gave presentations drawn from the CRC’s research on a number of topics including revisions of fracture velocity models to measuring third party awareness of pipeline safety.
This broad program complimented the already high quality presentations given by our PRCI and EPRG counterparts.
I was very pleased and excited to see the number of younger engineers present at the JTM.
With members of the Australian YPF, as well as their international counterparts in the Young Pipeliners Associations of Canada and America, it is clear that the foundation is there for long-term engagement and knowledge transfer within industry.
I strongly encourage mentoring of these groups to ensure that skills learnt by current senior generations of pipeliners are passed onto the future.
Regular followers of Energy Pipelines CRC activities as well as attendees of our most recent two CRC/APGA Research seminars will have noted increased research into areas that have not traditionally been researched by the Energy Pipelines CRC.
As said in April last year, the forward focus of the Energy Pipelines CRC and its future direction was to take place through consultation with all those who play a key role in the Energy Pipelines CRC.
One of the initial steps of this process has taken place through the establishment of user groups within the APGA Research and Standards Committee.
This approach provides a forum for different facets of the pipeline industry to discuss issues and opportunities of particular interest to them, articulating areas where research would benefit the industry.
Currently there are user groups in the areas of offshore pipelines and polyehtylene/composite pipelines, which new user groups in the areas of construction and design recently established.
As we move into the latter half of the year the Energy Pipelines CRC will continue with its vision of assisting industry with enabling safer, more efficient and reliable pipelines while also expanding its focus beyond its traditional focus of oil and gas.
Those who are interested in directly contributing to the work of the Energy Pipelines CRC, and playing a more involved role in its research are welcome to contact APGA about joining its Research and Standards Committee or talk to me to find out more about the benefits of being involved with the Energy Pipelines CRC.
