HOUSTON, TEXAS, May 2, 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:
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.
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2004 revenues of $17.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Ga., GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries.
For more information, contact:
Dennis Murphy
GE Energy
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Ken Darling or Tom Murnane
Masto Public Relations
+1 518 786 6488
[email protected]
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Tom Murnane
Soteryx Corporation
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+1 518 886 1076
Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
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1-518-786-6488
Ken Darling
Masto Public Relations
[email protected]
1-518-786-6488