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View all of our podcasts, white papers, videos and other resources on the subject of Management Systems.
Definitions
API 1160: provides a process within a management system framework for operators to assess potential risks and make day-to-day decisions. Through effective integrity management, pipeline operators can significantly reduce the likelihood of an incident and adverse effects on the public, employees, and the environment.
API 1173: established the framework for operators to implement Pipeline Safety Management Systems (SMS). A significant part of this recommended practice is a training and competency aspect.
API 1174: provides to operators of onshore hazardous liquid pipelines a framework that promotes the continual improvement of emergency planning and response processes, including identification and mitigation of associated risks and implementation of changes from lessons learned. This Recommended Practice assists the operator in preparing for a safe, timely, and effective response to a pipeline emergency.
API 1175: a recommended practice published by the American Petroleum Institute addressing how pipeline operators should maintain their leak detection program. The goal of the standard is to have the best leak detection system possible by always looking for continuous improvements to the individual LDS components achieving operational buy-in with the culture, strategies, KPIs, and testing.
API 1177: provides a framework for a quality management system (QMS) for onshore pipeline construction.
Chromatograph (Portable GC): an analytical device that combines the features of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify different hydrocarbons within a test sample.
Compressor: helps facilitate the transport of natural gas from Point A to Point B by compressing the gas as it travels through the pipeline.
Compressor Station: the location where natural gas is compressed to increase its pressure, causing the gas to move through a pipeline. A compressor automation or optimization project addresses the needs of pipeline operators to improve reliability, response time, and data collection in the field.
Computational Pipeline Modeling (CPM): a digital method of mapping out a pipeline’s operational conditions and processes to track the flow of a liquid or gas through the pipeline.
Custody Transfer: the physical transfer of natural gas or liquid between operators. Accuracy is vital to ensure the safe and compliant transfer of a substance.
Custody Transfer Measurement: involves a metering point (location) where fluid is being measured for sale from one party to another. During custody transfer, accuracy is important to both the company delivering the material and the eventual recipient.
Distribution Pipelines: complete the process of delivering the substance to the desired destination. A Local Distribution Company (LDC) transports natural gas from a main delivery point to consumers through a pipe distribution system.
Electronic Flow Meter (EFM): measures the amount of substance flowing in a pipeline and performs other calculations that are communicated back to the system.
Electronic Gas Measurement: the process of measuring the quality of gas using a flow computer. Volumes are recorded and generated at field level, then imported into a measurement system.
Field Devices: the pipeline instrumentation located in the field that is used to gather data to send back to the operation or take action when certain requirements are met.
Flow Computer: averages and records all digital signals received from various types of flow meters, as well as analog or digital signals from temperature, pressure, and density transmitters.
Flow Monitoring: an analysis tool that provides a detailed view of the data to and from machines. When flow monitoring is enabled, its output defines which machines are exchanging data and over which application.
Gathering Pipelines: form a network of interconnected pipelines to gather a substance such as crude oil or natural gas to send to a treatment or processing facility.
High-Consequence Areas (HCAs): defined by PHMSA as a potential impact zone that contains 20 or more structures intended for human occupancy or an identified site. PHMSA identifies how pipeline operators must identify, prioritize, assess, evaluate, repair, and validate the integrity of gas transmission pipelines that could, in the event of a leak or failure, affect HCAs.
- MCA (Moderate-Consequence Areas or Medium-Consequence Areas): designated areas for gas transmission pipelines.
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT): the use of connected devices for industrial purposes, such as communication between network devices in the field and a pipeline system.
LACT (Lease Automatic Custody Transfer) Unit: measures the net volume and quality of liquid hydrocarbons. The related system provides for the automatic measurement, sampling, and transfer of oil from the lease location into a pipeline.
Main Terminal Units (MTUs): used in a SCADA system to operate the Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and transmit their data back to the facility.
Measurement Analytics: ensures that measurement data is correct and complete for consumption by downstream accounting services and for the end customers’ reports.
Measurement Data Management System: aggregates data, normalizes the data, and stores the data on a server database. This prepares the data for downstream processing.
Mega Rule: a set of new pipeline safety standards issued by PHMSA in October 2019 that brings 500,000 miles of pipeline under federal jurisdiction to ensure the safe transport of gas product.
Meter Proving: a method of physically testing the accuracy of a meter through the proving process of measuring temperature, pressure, flow rate, and density against a known prover.
- PD meter (Positive Displacement meter): requires fluid to mechanically displace components in the meter in order to measure flow.
- Turbine Meter: uses the mechanical energy of a fluid to rotate a “pinwheel” (rotor) in the flow stream to measure flow.
- Ultrasonic Meter: measures the velocity of a fluid using ultrasound technology to calculate volume flow.
- Coriolis Meter: measures the mass flow of liquid and natural gas as opposed to just volumetric flow.
Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS): an industry-wide focus to improve pipeline safety, driving toward zero incidents.
Point to Point Verification (P2P): confirms that input or output from each field instrument is accurately and reliably reflected in the SCADA information presented to the controller.
Polling Rates: refer to the rate at which a station, unit, or communication device reports its location from the field.
Programmable Logic Controller (PLCs): a computerized system in operations that automates processes that require reliability within a given time period. PLCs are especially useful for pipeliners to automate difficult tasks in the field.
Pump: used in pumping stations to continue moving a substance through the pipeline.
Pumping Station: placed at strategic locations throughout a pipeline to check the pressure, continue moving the substance through the line, monitor the flow of the substance, and communicate the information to a facility.
Remote Telemetry Units (RTUs): electronic devices placed in the field. RTUs enable remote automation by communicating data back to the facility and taking specific action after receiving input from the facility.
- EFM Flow Computer: a type of RTU that measures the flow of gas or fluid and reports the data back to the facility. It differs from an RTU in that it is designed to compute flow using standard flow equations with specific timing and reporting requirements.
SCADA: a system of software and technology that allows pipeliners to control processes locally or at remote location. SCADA breaks down into two key functions: supervisory control and data acquisition. Included is managing the field, communication, and control room technology components that send and receive valuable data, allowing users to respond to the data.
SCADA Communication: there are several types of communication methods that can be used in a SCADA system to transmit data.
- Satellite Communication: includes a natural delay from the time a data request is made and the time the data is sent.
- Poll Response: only sends data if requested by the host. This creates limitations because you may need to wait up to 15 minutes for the full data package to be received.
- Report by Exception: sends data to the host when there is a change to the data.
- MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport): a publish-subscribe protocol that allows data to move quickly and does not bog down the system with unnecessary requests.
Telemetry: an automated communications process. During this process, measurements and other data are collected at remote locations and transmitted to receiving equipment for monitoring and data analysis.
Transmission Pipelines: consist of a long series of pipes that move substances across large areas. Compressor stations and pump stations are placed along the pipeline to continue moving the substance through the line.
Podcasts
Episode 27: Symmetry Platform Optimizes Smart Gas Plant Network Performance with Nick Gorzynski
Episode 242: Trends in SCADA and the Edge with Jeff Whitney
Episode 240: Quality Management and Safety Management — the Unwritten Requirements of PSMS with Jim Francis
Episode 239: Supporting New Gas Supply Through Existing Pipelines with Michael Falk
Episode 237: What Every Pipeliner Should Know About Cyber Security with Russel Treat
Episode 236: Right-of-Way Management and Environmental Conservation with Robin Rorick
Episode 22: Rethinking Practices Can Reduce Carbon Footprint for Pipeline Projects with Peter Bortolin
Episode 234: Getting to the Crux of the Control Room with Vicki Knott and Rebecca Greenan
Episode 231: PHMSA Valve Installation and Rupture Detection Rule with Keith Coyle
Episode 229: The Natural Compliance Journey with Dale Schafer
Episode 219: How Tariffs Drive Measurement & Operation Practice with Weldon Wright
Episode 218: PHMSA 2021 CRM Enforcement Actions and Team Training with Ross Adams
Episode 1: Introducing the Oil & Gas Measurement Podcast with Weldon Wright and Russel Treat
Episode 213: 2021 in Review and Looking to 2022 for the Pipeliners Podcast with Russel Treat
Episode 212: Improving Measurement Through SOPs and Training with Weldon Wright
Episode 209: The Control Room Audit — Opportunities & Challenges with Ross Adams
Episode 207: PHMSA Publishes Gas Gathering Final Rule with Keith Coyle
Episode 206: Digitizing Public Awareness to Support Pipeline SMS with Sheila Howard
Episode 205: Performing an API 1165 HMI Review with Tony Alston
Episode 204: SCADA Integration — What Every Pipeliner Should Know with Scott Williams
Episode 203: The 3 Pillars of Correct Measurement with Weldon Wright
Episode 146: Designing Metering & Regulation Stations with David Slavin
Episode 137: Safe Harbor, Lessons Learned, and Training Impacts with Mary Palkovich
Episode 135: Creating a Tailored Training Plan with Brian Dresel and Mayra Maese
Episode 134: Public Awareness & New API RP 1162 with John Erickson
Episode 133: Changing Culture in the Pipeline Industry with Coleman Sterling and James Cross
Episode 132: Automating Tasks in the Pipeline Control Room with Vicki Knott
Episode 130: Management of Change in the Control Room with Will Gage
Episode 128: Distribution Integrity Management with John Erickson
Episode 127: Contractors and Pipeline SMS with Steve Allen
Episode 126: A Conversation With PHMSA Administrator Skip Elliott
Episode 120: Risk Management — How to Start with Justin Shannon
Episode 118: Introduction to Operator Qualification with Michael Comstock
Episode 117: iPIPE — A High Tide Floats All Boats with Jay Almlie
Episode 115: iPIPE — A Vendor’s Perspective with John van Pol and Sean Donegan
Episode 113: iPIPE — An Operator’s Perspective with Brian Epperson and Greg Tilley
Episode 112: The New Data Acquisition in SCADA with Dan Nagala
Episode 110: Pipeline SMS and Stakeholder Collaboration with Steve Allen
Episode 109: iPIPE with Jay Almlie — Real Technology, Real Pipelines, Real Progress
Episode 108: State Regulator Pipeline Safety Perspective with Steve Allen
Episode 106: Cyber Security Monitoring & Incident Response with Pascal Ackerman
Episode 105: PODS for Integrity and Risk Management — A Continuing Conversation with Sam Acheson
Episode 103: Workload Analysis with Charles Alday
Episode 102: PODS for Integrity Management with Jackie Smith and Sam Acheson
Episode 101: Situation Management with Doug Rothenberg
Episode 97: New PHMSA Pipeline Safety Rules with Keith Coyle
Episode 96: Process Safety Management and Alarm Management with Stephen Swanson
Episode 94: Data Analytics and Edge Technologies with Scott Williams
Episode 92: Unique Cyber Security Requirements for Pipelines with Pascal Ackerman
Episode 91: The Public Awareness Rule with Bill DeFoor
Episode 90: The Audit as Quality Management with Dan Scarberry
Episode 89: Introduction to PODS with Jackie Smith
Episode 83: PHMSA GPAC Meeting Update & the Mega Rule
Episode 78: Risk Management in Pipeline Operations with Justin Shannon
Episode 77: Determining Batch Arrival Time in Slack Line Operations with Giancarlo Milano
Episode 76: Simplifying EFM Data Collection with Adam Hill
Episode 75: Fundamentals of OPC with Adam Hill
Episode 73: Hydraulic Design for Business Development Professionals with Dan Sensel, Jason Dalton & Kyle Miller
Episode 69: Instrumentation Issues in Leak Detection Systems with Dan Sensel, Jason Dalton & Kyle Miller
Episode 65: NTSB “Most Wanted List” for Pipeline Integrity with Marc Lamontagne
Episode 64: New Gas Gathering Rule with Russel Treat
Episode 63: Alarm Management and Emergency Response with Ross Adams
Episode 62: NTSB “Most Wanted List” for Pipeline Safety with Russel Treat
Episode 61: Relief Valves in Liquid Pipelining with Dan Sensel, Jason Dalton & Kyle Miller
Episode 60: Cyber Vulnerability and Risk Quantification with Clint Bodungen
Episode 57: Managing Liquid Pipeline Slack Line with with Dan Sensel, Jason Dalton & Kyle Miller
Episode 53: Leak Detection Program Management with Dan Sensel, Jason Dalton & Kyle Miller
Episode 52: Pipeline SMS with David Murk of API
Episode 49: Pipeline SLMS Self-Assessment with Yogi Schulz
Episode 48: Introduction to Pipeline SMS with Stuart Saulters
Episode 46: Tightly Integrated & Loosely Coupled OT with William Gage
Episode 45: IT/OT Convergence and Risk Management with Clint Bodungen
Episode 44: Preparing for PHMSA CRM Audit with Ross Adams
Episode 43: Pipeline Management of Change with Nick Guinn
Episode 39: ILI Data Integration with Marc Lamontagne
Episode 34: Ultrasonic for Inline Inspection with Marc Lamontagne
Episode 32: Simulators for Pipeline Training with Giancarlo Milano
Episode 30: Trends in Measurement Training with Ardis Bartle
Episode 29: MFL for Inline Inspection with Marc Lamontagne
Episode 28: Leak Alarm Response with Giancarlo Milano
Episode 27: Rupture Detection with Giancarlo Milano
Episode 26: Negative Pressure Wave Technology for Leak Detection with Giancarlo Milano
Episode 25: Statistical Volume Balance Model for Leak Detection with Giancarlo Milano
Episode 24: Real-Time Transient Model for Leak Detection with Giancarlo Milano
Episode 17: Fundamentals of Meter Proving with Jane Williams
Episode 16: Cybersecurity Threats and Awareness with Daniel Nagala
Episode 15: SCADA Systems – How Much Data is Enough?
Episode 14: Fundamentals of Pipeline Leak Detection with Giancarlo Milano
Episode 13: Measurement Standard Operating Procedures with Ardis Bartle
Episode 12: Measurement Analytics with Bruce Wallace
Episode 11: Simplifying the SCADA Build with Scott Williams
Episode 10: Inline Pipeline Inspection with Marc Lamontagne
Episode 9: DOT-Compliant Pipeline Control Room with Matt McClure
Episode 7: PHMSA Pipeline Advisory Committee Meeting Report
Episode 4: Cybersecurity with William Gage
Videos & Presentations
Whitepapers & eBooks
How to Implement High-Performance Pipeline Control
The world is constantly changing for pipeline operators. You need a complete software suite to operate a high-performance pipeline operation now and into the future. Download this eBook from Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat to understand how to address the top challenges facing pipeline operators.
- Enhance pipeline operations and effectiveness.
- Establish policies and procedures to operate safely.
- Comply with changing government regulations.
- Achieve ROI for your pipeline operation.