23rd Joint Technical Meeting Overview

PRCI co-hosted the Joint Technical Meeting (JTM) in Edinburgh, Scotland together with our partners in Europe through the European Pipeline Research Group (EPRG) and Australia through Australian Pipeline & Gas Associations (APGA). This biennial event enables the global energy pipeline industry to share solutions to our common challenges. Being a part of the JTM embodies one of the key elements of our industry - the willingness to share to ensure the safest and most efficient global pipeline network.

• PRCI shared 12 of the 36 papers that covered a wide range of topics and were presented throughout the week. PRCI led two working groups that focused on Sour Service and Mechanical Damage. EPRG also led two groups on Hydrogen and CO₂. Output from these sessions is alignment of research and identification of possible joint research.
• There were considerable conversations around the issues to address the opportunities to transport and store hydrogen. The APGA, in conjunction with Future Fuels CRC, received funding from the Australian government in 2018 to perform research to enable a safe and efficient hydrogen infrastructure. They shared a number of key projects that have been completed or will be undertaken soon, including the transition of a natural gas pipeline to 100% hydrogen service in 2023.
• Our partners in Europe have accelerated their timeline from 2030 to 2027 to begin transporting hydrogen. They performed the first research that will be used to enhance ASME B31.12 to consider the challenges that will be faced in moving large volumes of hydrogen at higher pressures over longer distances than is currently considered in the standard. EPRG is working to host the first large scale test in the fall of 2022. PRCI and APGA are in discussions with them on how we can partner with the test.
• Another area of discussion was the transport and storage of CO₂. With the potential for developing large amounts of CO₂ depending on the source of hydrogen, there is a need to revisit the current knowledge around CO₂.

The world of pipelines finds itself in challenging circumstances, with hydrocarbon market volatility and energy transition aspects such as H₂ and CO₂ transmission weighing heavily alongside the usual challenges of maintaining safe operation and growth of both onshore and offshore networks. Building on the dual push for our industry of needing to advance the next generation of fuels, there are still considerable opportunities to enhance our current operations and practices. These three streams of discussion highlight the unique position our industry is in today and the need to collaboratively advance research to achieve our goals in a timely fashion.

In response to the need for continued collaboration and conversation, an Emerging Fuel Symposium was announced for June 2023 in Orlando, Florida. A second symposium is scheduled for 2024 in Europe, location to be determined.

The next JTM will be held in 2025 in North America.

For additional information, please contact Laurie Perry, Corrosion Technical Committee Program Manager.

ABOUT THE JOINT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

The tripartite collaboration of the European Pipe Research Group (EPRG), the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA), and the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) gathers to discuss current topics on safe pipeline manufacture, construction, and operation. The Joint Technical Meeting (JTM) aims to provide an ideal platform to listen to the latest thinking across a wide range of pipelines issues, as well as a forum for detailed discussion on the challenges facing the industry.