The University of Calgary has established a Pipeline Engineering Center

The Pipeline Engineering Center (PEC) was formally established at the University of Calgary in the fall of 2003. As mentioned in the former PSD Newsletter the input of the local PSD organization was essential to the creation of the Center. The Center has been organized at the university as a new Faculty of Engineering group which is cross departmental, thus representing the knowledge and research that is focused around the best university expertise in the pipeline area.

The mandate of the Center is to augment university training and tailor it to the pipeline industry’s direct needs. At the same time the Center will build and maintain a repository of knowledge and experience that can be passed on to future specialists.

PEC is guided by an advisory board comprised of a wide cross-section of the industry. Industry representatives not only participate on the board but directly interact with the Center on many different endeavors. These include teaching, research and technical resolution of the problems encountered in the industry. In addition, PEC assists in introduction of new technology advancements into the industry facilities.

Even though the PEC is a very young organization it already actively trains engineers for Master’s and Doctorate degrees in the Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Geomatics and Mechanical departments with a specialization in Pipeline Engineering. Eventually, an interdisciplinary Master’s degree in Pipeline Engineering will be established. Currently, graduate courses are available in several aspects of pipeline engineering. Courses are given by Industry personnel as well as University Faculty members. Moreover, professional short courses are presented on current topics of industrial interest. PEC has working relationships with other pipeline engineering centers in Rio de Janeiro and Newcastle, UK. Locally in Canada, PEC actively cooperates with the University of Alberta in Edmonton and the University of Regina. PEC training focuses on main topics such as Pipeline Fundamentals, Pipeline Economics, Transmission Systems, General Pipeline Design Consideration, Innovative Solutions, Emerging Issues, and Pipeline Protection. Further information on current and future training can be found on the PEC website: www.eng.ucalgary.ca/PEC/