Houston, Texas - June 19, 2012 – Three NACE International Fellows will participate on a newly appointed National Academy of Sciences (NAS) committee formed to analyze whether diluted bitumen (dilbit) transported by transmission pipeline has an increased potential for release compared with pipeline transmission of other crude oils. The NACE Fellows are Dr. Brenda J. Little of the Naval Research Laboratory, Dr. Srdjan Nesic of Ohio University and Dr. Joe H. Payer of the University of Akron.
A chief concern about the transport of Canadian crude through the proposed Keystone XL pipeline is a claim that dilbit poses more release risks than other types of crude.
In particular, the committee will examine whether there is evidence that dilbit has corrosive or erosive characteristics that elevate its potential for release from transmission pipelines when compared with other crude oils. Should the committee conclude there is no evidence of an increased potential for release, it will report this finding to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) by spring 2013.
Alternatively, if the committee finds evidence indicating an increased potential, it will examine the adequacy of PHMSA’s pipeline safety regulations in mitigating any increased risk and report back to PHMSA by the fall of 2013.
“With all of the controversy surrounding Keystone XL, it is very important that a well-qualified team analyzes the risks, if any, of diluted bitumen,” said NACE Executive Director Bob Chalker. “NAS has put together the right group for the job. NACE supports this effort and I will be interested, along with many others, in seeing the final results.”
The honor of NACE Fellow is given in recognition of distinguished contributions in the fields of corrosion and its prevention and the few who have earned this distinction serve as technical and professional leaders and advisors to NACE International.
The ad hoc committee will convene for the first time in July with an expected project duration of 12 to 16 months.
ABOUT NACE INTERNATIONAL
NACE International, The Corrosion Society, based in Houston, Texas, serves 29,000 members in 110 countries. NACE International is the leader in the corrosion control community, and is recognized worldwide as the premier authority for corrosion solutions. Founded in 1943 by 11 engineers in the pipeline industry, NACE International has grown to reach all industries impacted by corrosion. Today the organization offers the most specified technical training and certification programs, conferences, industry standards, reports, publications, and software to prevent and mitigate corrosion.
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