GE Energy’s Pipeline Services Group Joins Global Energy Transmission Network
Posted: 09 May 2005
GE Energy’s pipeline services group has joined the Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI), a global network of energy-transmission companies, as the first associate member in the organization’s 52-year history.
PRCI is the energy pipeline industry’s leading, collaboratively funded technology development organization. It identifies industry needs, including products and services, and helps develop safe, reliable, environmentally compatible and cost-effective solutions.
PRCI is comprised of some of the world’s largest energy-producing companies, including Exxon Mobil, Saudi Aramco, Sunoco, BP, Enbridge, Chevron Texaco, Gaz de France, Petrobas and El Paso Corp.
GE Energy’s pipeline services group is part of the oil and gas division. GE Transportation, GE Consumer & Industrial and GE Infrastructure also have joined as associate members to maximize the company’s contributions to the Virginia-based organization.
PRCI is recognizing GE’s role as a leading provider of pipeline services as well as the company’s overall marketing reach around the world, said Mike Simmons, General Manager for GE Energy’s pipeline services group based in Northumberland, England.
“We are looking forward to building a successful relationship with PRCI and its members,” Simmons said. “We can help PRCI both identify product gaps in the industry and develop and effectively commercialize products to fill those gaps.”
For much of its history, the council had concentrated on natural gas-related pipeline technology. However, PRCI recently broadened its mission to develop integrity and reliability solutions for both liquid and gas pipelines.
The 35-member, non-profit PRCI is expanding its membership as the organization looks to sustain a $15 million annual technology development program. In addition to GE, PRCI named several other companies as associate members.
“We are committed to expanding our resources to develop near-to-mid-term technological solutions to support the energy pipeline industry’s continued success and also address government regulations concerning pipeline safety,” said PRCI President George Tenley Jr. “Inviting GE to join PRCI is in line with our core mission, given GE’s leadership in the pipeline integrity and inspection technology arenas.”
GE is working with several PRCI study groups. GE Energy’s pipeline services and GE Transportation’s inspection technology units are supporting three technical groups: Corrosion and Inspection, Materials and Design, and Construction and Operations. GE’s oil and gas division is assisting the Compressor Technology’s unit and GE Infrastructure Sensing is helping the Measurement Technical Committee.
PRCI will benefit from GE’s expertise in pipeline integrity and non-destructive inspection technologies. PRCI will be able to enhance the results of its research and development spending, since GE can help market the group’s products to pipeline operators around the globe.
In return, GE will benefit by:
· Forging closer ties with industry decision-makers/customers, developing solutions for PRCI members, and increasing the demand for GE products.
· Being able to work with PRCI while continuing to develop and commercialize its own emerging technologies.
· Expanding customer outreach via PRCI’s relationships with the European Pipeline Association and the Australian Pipeline Industry Association.
· Improving GE’s sales initiatives through confidential surveys of PRCI members.
PRCI’s Tenley recently toured GE’s pipeline services headquarters in England to observe its development of technological solutions for the energy pipeline industry.
Tenley also visited GE’s Global Research Center in Niskayuna , N.Y. , where specialists are working on several pipeline inspection technology initiatives
Posted by Editor Pipeline Magazine
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