The JTM is held every two years and provides a forum for pipeline researchers and members of US-based Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI), the European Pipeline Research Group (EPRG) and the APIA Research and Standards Committee (APIA-RSC) to deliver papers on current research programs and to learn from each other.
EPRG and PRCI have organised these joint meetings every two years since 1975, and in 2002 the APIA-RSC was invited to join in through a tripartite arrangement which enabled the APIA-RSC to share the results of research, work on joint projects, and carried with it the obligation to host a JTM when its turn came up.
The next JTM will be hosted by EPRG and will be held in Milan, Italy, in 2009.
Delegates were welcomed to the Australian JTM by Mick McCormack, Managing Director of the APA Group, and the meeting was opened by Mark Harper, President of APIA. The JTM in Canberra was strongly supported by members and researchers from all three pipeline research groups – 60 international delegates and 90 from Australia. Thirty-three papers were delivered – seven from APIA-RSC, 12 from PRCI and 14 from EPRG. The papers were grouped into seven sessions: safety and risk; stress corrosion cracking; mechanical damage; pipeline design; general corrosion; high strength pipelines; and fracture risk and control.
Each session included ample time for questions, discussion and debate on the papers, during which delegates were able to canvass their views on the specific research programs and to assess practical application of the outcomes of the research.
The JTM organising committee sought the assistance of an independent judge in the United Kingdom to select the best paper written for the 16th JTM. The criteria for the best paper included requirements that the paper must make significant contributions to the safety, reliability or operational/installation economy of energy pipelines, demonstrate novel thinking in order to advance understanding or deliver a solution, and present the evidence, arguments, logical steps and conclusions in a clear and understandable way.
The prize was awarded to Professor Valerie Linton and Erwin Gamboa from the University of Adelaide, and Michael Law from Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, for their paper entitled “˜Fatigue crack extension and repair of pipes with SCC cracks’.
Copies of all the papers were made available to the delegates of the JTM, and will form an excellent resource for pipeline engineers and ensure that our industry keeps up to date with the latest worldwide research and development in all matters of pipeline safety, quality and economics. However, because these papers and presentations represent research work in progress within the three groups, they must be treated as confidential, not used for commercial purposes and may not be cited in papers or reports except for those published under the auspices of APIA-RSC, EPRG or PRCI.
The JTM also provided the Australian pipeline industry with an opportunity to encourage its younger engineers to rub shoulders with some of the world’s most experienced pipeline engineers and researchers, and to establish contacts that should serve them well as they tackle pipelining problems in this country. In addition, the APIA Board provided six scholarships for young pipeliners to attend the JTM.
Leigh Fletcher deserves credit for managing the technical program (and the entertainment at the dinner!). The social side of the event saw delegates enjoy a reception at Parliament House and a glittering dinner at the Australian War Memorial. A special highlight of the dinner was the stunning performance by Pot-Pourri which not only entertained delegates but highlighted some of Australia’s top musical talent to the international guests.
Steve Dobbie and Max Kimber and representatives of PRCI and EPRG also contributed significantly to the organisation of the JTM, which was judged to be a success by all delegates.
The Research and Standards Committee also must express its thanks to the firms and individuals that sponsored the JTM: Rosen, OneSteel, GE Oil & Gas PII, Lincoln Electric, APA Group, McConnell Dowell, DBP/Alinta (DBP has contracted Alinta Asset Management to be the project manager for the expansion of the pipeline), Bredero Shaw, Agility, Worley Parsons and Fritz Boegel.
Pipeline Publications also contributed to the success of the JTM by providing a copy of The Australian Pipeliner for each delegate and collecting a photographic record of the event.
Comments from JTM delegates
“¢ “The event was one of the best I have been to and found the quality of interaction wonderful, far better than all other Australian events I have attended.”
“¢ “A very big congratulations on the JTM. I believe our sponsorship has been very well spent.”
“¢ “We have all just survived another JTM and a fantastic one it was at that – I pity EPRG having to top this year’s version.”
“¢ “The commitment to making this happen was well rewarded through attendance and participation, and a great week of sessions.”