The 21st edition of the Pipeline Technology Conference 2026 concluded in Berlin last week, recording its largest and most international gathering to date with 1,132 participants from 61 countries and delegations representing nearly 100 pipeline operating companies.
Held from 27 to 30 April at the Estrel Congress Center, the event reinforced its position as a major global platform for discussions surrounding pipeline technology, integrity management, inspection technologies, safety, digitalisation and energy infrastructure.
The conference opened with a pre-conference training day, followed by three days of technical sessions, exhibitions and networking activities focused on the evolving role of pipelines in global energy systems.
Opening keynote addresses were delivered by Ekperikpe Ekpo, Abdulla bin Ibrahim Al Hamar, and Philipp Steinberg. Dr. Steinberg addressed delegates on the topic “Pipelines, Power and Politics: Energy Security in a Fragmenting World”.
The technical programme focused heavily on topics relevant to the pipeline inspection and integrity sector, including hydrogen transportation, CO₂ infrastructure, pipeline safety, integrity management, digital technologies and inspection methodologies. The opening plenary panel, titled “Strengthening Pipeline Safety Through Experience”, set the direction for subsequent technical discussions across the event.
Conference organisers stated that all technical papers presented during the event will be published through the ptc Pipeline Open Knowledge Base on an open-access basis.
The final day featured an expanded edition of the World Pipeline Outlook, bringing together global industry leaders to discuss future energy infrastructure trends. Sessions included discussions on Europe’s rapidly increasing data centre energy demand and the role of gas infrastructure in supporting energy security.
Additional presentations examined the strategic role of the Transalpine Pipeline (TAL) in securing crude oil supply to the Czech Republic, alongside a session marking 50 years of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), one of the most significant pipeline infrastructure projects in the industry.
Alongside the technical programme, ptc 2026 introduced several new networking initiatives, including a round table dedicated to pipeline regulatory institutions, expanded operator round tables, the third edition of the Global Women in Pipeline Forum, and activities organised by the ptc Young Pipeliners Engagement Committee.
During the opening day, the Young Pipeliners International Awards 2026 were also presented. Kate Stratogianni received the YPI Early Achievement Award, while Subashish Kundu Sunny received the YPI Emerging Young Pipeline Professional Award.
The global pipeline community is scheduled to reconvene later this year at the Pipeline Technology Conference Asia 2026, which will take place from 24 to 26 November at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The 22nd Pipeline Technology Conference is set to return to Berlin in 2027.
