Over 55 members of the Energy Pipelines CRC Research Team and the APGA RSC attended the biannual seminar which showcased research updates from all four key research programs of the Energy Pipelines CRC.
All presentations on the day were well received and generated a large amount of discussion. Industry personnel who are heavily involved in research also took the time to present their findings.
LogiCamms General Manager – Hydrocarbons Ryan McDonald provided an industry context for current research on the impact of occasional surface loads on pipelines.
A new guideline for concrete mattress design in offshore pipelines was also launched by Tom Seeber of Atteris. The guidelines give a consistent approach to safe and efficient concrete mattress design for the benefit of both the offshore and onshore elements of the Australian pipeline industry.
Other topics covered a broad range of current Energy Pipelines CRC research including a re-evaluation of the Battelle Two Fracture Velocity Model, analysis of regulatory effectiveness as well as insight into the plausibility of non-shielding coatings.
New areas of research such as cracking in polyethylene pipe were also presented.
Nolene Byrne from Deakin University gave an excellent overview of cracking issues in PE pipe and the need for future research into this area.
Special thanks are given to the Baosteel Australia Joint Research and Development Centre for their contributions to a project on strain ageing which was presented on the day by Jian Han from the University of Wollongong.
The keynote address was given by Mr Bill Hoyle, the former director of the US Chemical Safety Board. His insightful presentation gave a number of lessons learnt throughout his years investigating catastrophes involving chemicals and the infrastructure that supports them.
Energy Pipelines CRC Seminars are complimentary to all APGA RSC member company employees and Energy Pipelines CRC researchers.
These events give thorough updates on current research as well as the opportunity to network with other members.
The next Energy Pipelines CRC/APGA RSC Seminar will be held in Sydney on the 1 June 2016.
