IRVING, TEXAS (Jan. 14, 11 a.m. ET) — The Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. has renamed its Fuel Gas Division to reflect the group's expanded focus.
The unit, now the Energy Piping Systems Division, will continue its work in gas distribution while increasing its programs, technical report projects, application data collection and liaison efforts with government agencies and other industry groups to encompass more energy-related areas.
“This change was championed by our members to better serve the needs of the energy sector including gas distribution, oil & gas collection, biofuels, oil field water handling, gas transmission and enhanced oil recovery,” said Tony Radoszewski, executive director of PPI, in a news release.
PPI has long focused on polyethylene pipe used for all types of fuel gas. Now the group is seeing more composite pipe being developed to replace steel and cast iron in advanced energy applications.
“Several makers of composite pipe products have recently joined the PPI Energy Piping Systems Division including Flex Steel, Flex Pipe, and Fiberspar,” Radoszewski said.
In addition, PPI is working on a new website that will serve as a clearinghouse for the registration of all PE gas pipe and component manufacturers' identification codes.
“This is a critical part of the tracking and traceability system, which provides a standardized approach to marking all gas distribution system components,” said PPI technical director Stephen Boros.