Feb 18 2005
IPSCO Inc. announced today an investment of $3.5 million to set up a state of the art research unit specifically dedicated to accelerating development of the Company’s large diameter capability. The specialized research capability will be used to focus on the specific steel and pipe needs for large diameter energy transmission lines, further extending IPSCO’s current knowledge in this area.
In addition, research work related to other energy tubular products such as casing and tubing for frontier environments and other advanced energy sector steel products, will be studied. The Frontier Research Unit is expected to maintain a $3 million annual operating budget.
“It is our goal to remain at the forefront of technology to enable the Company to supply the complex specialty grade steel and pipe required for large pipeline projects, with a specific emphasis on northern environments such as the proposed MacKenzie Valley,” said Joe Russo, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer. “IPSCO has been a leader in northern pipeline activity dating back to the mid 1970’s and has been a major participant in all significant large diameter pipeline projects in Canada since that time. Today’s announcement is an enhancement to our proven track record in producing steel and pipe for the North American energy market and we feel well positioned to continue as a leader in advanced steel and line pipe development,” said Russo.
The Frontier Pipe Research Unit will be located at IPSCO’s Research and Development Facility in Regina, Saskatchewan to take advantage of the Company’s existing research resources and it’s large diameter pipe forming mills. The Unit will be led by Dr. Laurie Collins, an expert in alloy design, property assessment and steel and line pipe processing. Fathi Hamad, MSc., a welding and pipe processing specialist at IPSCO will assist Dr. Collins with the research, as well as a number of the Company’s top applied metallurgists, engineers, and processing specialists.
A steering committee including IPSCO’s Dr. Steve Hansen, Dr. Milos Kostic, Dr. Dengqi Bai, Tom Lawrence, MSc., as well as experts from outside organizations such as universities, energy sector exploration, development and pipeline companies and retained technical experts, will help direct the Unit.
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