Tom Bubenik, Ph.D. Director, Integrity Solutions

Tom Bubenik, Ph.D. is the director of Integrity Solutions for DNV Columbus. Dr. Bubenik has over 30 years experience related to pipeline integrity management, in-line inspection, direct assessment, material properties, degradation, and failure analysis. He has authored or coauthored industry standards and recommended practices, and he has led a large number of engineering studies, failure analyses, and research projects.

Prior to joining DNV Columbus, Dr. Bubenik headed the Pipeline Technology Center at Battelle Memorial Institute. At Battelle, Tom led the program to build, commission, and operate the Pipeline Simulation Facility - a full-scale operating compressor station and pipeline used to develop and test pipeline integrity and inspection technologies. At Battelle, he led programs to quantify and improve in-line inspection, assess defects, evaluate the impact of operations/maintenance on pipeline integrity, and plan and conduct integrity management programs for operating pipeline companies. Dr. Bubenik also worked for ten years with Exxon Production Research Company, where he conducted and led programs related to pipelines, materials, welding, and structural analyses.

Dr. Bubenik's broad range of experience provides him with a strong technical background on pipeline integrity - from design and material selection through operations, maintenance, repair, testing, and inspection. This experience has given Dr. Bubenik an excellent understanding of the regulatory requirements, integrity threats, and the costs and consequences of managing pipeline integrity. Based on his expertise and experience, Dr. Bubenik is an internationally recognized expert in pipeline integrity management.