diff --git a/wntr/epanet/toolkit.py b/wntr/epanet/toolkit.py
index e3b541e5a..41cf9ba22 100644
--- a/wntr/epanet/toolkit.py
+++ b/wntr/epanet/toolkit.py
@@ -119,7 +119,10 @@ def __init__(self, inpfile="", rptfile="", binfile="", version=2.2):
         except:
             raise
         finally:
-            self._project = None
+            if version >= 2.2:
+                self._project = ctypes.c_uint64()
+            else:
+                self._project = None
         return
 
     def isOpen(self):
diff --git a/wntr/tests/test_sim_performance.py b/wntr/tests/test_sim_performance.py
index f68c27e5a..0342e6c78 100644
--- a/wntr/tests/test_sim_performance.py
+++ b/wntr/tests/test_sim_performance.py
@@ -248,7 +248,6 @@ def test_Net3_performance_PDA(self):
         )
     
     @pytest.mark.time_consuming
-    @pytest.mark.skip
     def test_Net6_thread_performance(self):
         """
         Test thread-safe performance of simulators