Pipeliners Podcast

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features a timely discussion of the new PHMSA final pipeline safety rules with industry expert Keith Coyle and host Russel Treat. In this episode, you will learn how the PHMSA rulemaking process works, more about the three new PHMSA rules published to the federal registry in October 2019, and how PHMSA handles emergency orders. You will also learn about the critical difference between MCA and HCA in gas transmission pipelines, plus more details on the timing of pipeline reauthorization heading into the 2020 U.S. election season.

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features first-time guest Stephen Swanson discussing process safety management (PSM) and pipeline alarm management with host Russel Treat. In this episode, you will learn about the opportunity to integrate process safety management and alarm management, the different needs of PSM and alarm management, the cultural challenges associated with knowledge and process transfer to a new workforce, and more topics.

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features pipeline historian KC Yost returning to the podcast for Part 2 of a discussion about the history of the pipeline industry with host Russel Treat. In this episode, you will learn about pipeline routing and the history behind it, topography and how it impacts the industry, and KC's work history with technological advancements in geo mapping. You will also hear about working in the pipeline industry now and how it compares to years past.

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features Scott Williams of EnerSys Corporation discussing the latest trends in data analytics and edge technology with host Russel Treat. In this episode, you will learn about Python, language series, Docker, and more. You will also get a deeper insight into data analytics and how the conversation around edge technology pertains to pipeline operators in the oil and gas industry.

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features host Russel Treat providing an update on the Pipeliners Podcast nearing the 100-episode mark. Listen to this episode for updates on the podcast, the podcast's history, and goals for the future. Also, learn more about the team that helps make this podcast possible and the exciting upcoming topics Russel will be discussing.

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features cybersecurity expert Pascal Ackerman of ThreatGEN discussing unique requirements and challenges for pipeline operators with host Russel Treat. In this episode, Pascal explains his professional background and how he got into cybersecurity as a profession. He also explains the difference between traditional cybersecurity and ICS cybersecurity and how ICS cybersecurity directly applies to pipelines. Additionally, Pascall gives advice on building a new network from scratch for pipeline operators and the importance of monitoring, analyzing, and responding to data in cybersecurity. Listen for more information on cybersecurity and pipeline companies.

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features Bill DeFoor of the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia discussing the PHMSA public awareness rule with Russel Treat. The discussion centers on the PHMSA requirement for effective communication between pipeline operators and stakeholders that include the affected public, emergency officials, local public officials, and excavators. You will also learn about the challenges of meeting the regulatory requirements for audit purposes and the need for regulations to be updated to reflect the latest technology. Listen to this valuable episode to learn more about public awareness for your role in pipeline operations.

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features pipeline control room expert Dan Scarberry discussing auditing from the perspective of quality management with host Russel Treat. In this episode, Dan explains his background and work experience leading up to his retirement and the event that triggered the start of control room management. He also talks about his extensive career in control room management. You will also learn more about the evolvement of control room management and how PHMSA has helped control rooms operate more effectively and safely with their audit programs and certifications.

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features Jackie Smith, president of PODS, discussing the Pipeline Open Data Standard with host Russel Treat. In this episode, you will learn about the PODS Data Model, the role of the PODS association supporting data integrity, how to combine pipeline integrity data with location data and mapping to perform risk analysis, and how to simplify and streamline risk analysis using optimized data. You will also learn more about the background of Jackie Smith and what led her to become involved with PODS. Also, listen to this week's episode to learn more about how you can become involved with the association!

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features Russel Treat and Philip Jones of EnerSys Corporation discussing the fundamentals of High-Performance HMI for the pipeline control room. In this episode, you will learn about the difference between HMI and High-Performance HMI, the importance of keeping things simple in an HMI build, why the perspective of a controller is invaluable for building HMI displays in the control room, and how to ensure the HMI is built to support multiple purposes at the controller level, manager level, and operational level. You will also learn about the upcoming changes to the API 1165 RP for HMI displays and how controller preferences have changed over time. Listen for unique HMI insight to apply to your role in pipeline operations!

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features Russel Treat and Philip Jones of EnerSys Corporation discussing the fundamentals of High-Performance HMI for the pipeline control room. In this episode, you will learn about the difference between HMI and High-Performance HMI, the importance of keeping things simple in an HMI build, why the perspective of a controller is invaluable for building HMI displays in the control room, and how to ensure the HMI is built to support multiple purposes at the controller level, manager level, and operational level. You will also learn about the upcoming changes to the API 1165 RP for HMI displays and how controller preferences have changed over time. Listen for unique HMI insight to apply to your role in pipeline operations!

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features Russel Treat and Ross Adams of EnerSys Corporation discussing this year's SGA Natural Gas Connect conference. Ross provides his insight on the critical topics affecting the pipeline control room in 2019. Specifically, how the concept of Change Management is impacting today's control room, the biggest concerns that are keeping control room managers up at night, and how to really be prepared for a control room audit. Listen for first-hand perspective on the conversations that took place during the SGA conference to gain insight on how to apply this information to control room management or control room support.

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features Russel Treat and retired Colonel Tom Magness, founder of Eagle's Leadership, discussing pipeline permitting from a Corp of Engineers' perspective. Listen for how the government decides what projects and permits are in the best interest of the nation and how to balance both environmental protection and sustainable development. Tom also explains the jurisdiction Army Corps of Engineers has and why and how he has arbitrated conversations between stakeholders that were in deeply divisive positions around a particular project or permit. As a pipeline professional, gaining insight into how the government works and operates can help you when going through the development process of permits and projects. Download this episode now to help further your industry knowledge.

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode features Russel Treat and David Holt of the Consumer Energy Alliance discussing the latest political topics surrounding the pipeline industry. Listen for key updates on the conversations surrounding pipeline politics at the federal and state level, the environmental factors that are important to the pipeline industry -- not just environmentalists, the latest happenings surrounding the Keystone XL Pipeline and other regional pipeline projects, and more topics. Gain valuable information and insight on what's happening in D.C. and in your backyard regarding pipeline politics as the industry continues to push forward with pipeline measures to support energy independence in the U.S.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat returns from Washington, D.C. with a timely update on the Gas Gathering Rule (Mega Rule). Listen for an important recap of the discussions during the PHMSA GPAC Meetings that advanced the Mega Rule toward final rulemaking. Included were two expected results on data collection from all gathering pipelines and the establishment of a reporting requirement. Also included was a curveball to include 8" pipelines in the final rule. What does all of this mean for gas gathering operators? Listen for the key takeaways from the GPAC Meetings that will affect pipeliners moving forward.

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat welcomes first-time guest Justin Shannon of Marathon to discuss risk management in pipeline operations. The discussion centers on the misunderstanding of what exactly risk management is. Justin helps clear up what risk management is -- and is not -- plus discusses industry models used to perform risk analysis. The discussion also hits on how the science of risk management can be applied to any kind of decision-making.

In our current political climate of emotional debates and partisan bickering, it's important to get clarity about what is actually happening with critical issues such as the intersection of environmental policy and industry needs. Mandy Gunasekara, a D.C. insider who previously served in the Office of Air and Radiation for the U.S. EPA, joins the Pipeliners Podcast to educate pipeliners on actual events happening inside Washington. Listen for first-hand insight on the environmental policy changes from the Obama to Trump Administrations, how current and proposed environmental policy affects oil & gas and pipeline interests, and how Mandy is educating the public on the work being done beyond the headlines.

Bryan Crowe, the COO of SolSpec, joins the Pipeliners Podcast to discuss new technology for supporting pipeline integrity and the inspection of ground movements along pipeline right-of-ways. Listen to host Russel Treat and Mr. Crowe discuss the complexities involved in assessing soil movements, especially in different terrains across the country. Plus, the need to monitor, analyze, and report on pipeline integrity in rugged terrains, why not all data is good data for making complex decisions, and how new technology and mapping is improving operators' ability to perform right-of-way and inline inspection. Also listen for timely analysis of the latest PHMSA Advisory Bulletin on recent pipeline incidents and events that point to next steps for the industry to address pipeline movements.

Direct fatigue monitoring is essential for today's pipeline control room. But, is it really about fatigue mitigation or maximizing alertness to ensure safe operations? To help understand the latest technology available for enhancing alertness, Clementine Francois of Phasya joins Russel Treat on the Pipeliners Podcast to discuss this important topic. Listen for unique insight on her scientific research surrounding fatigue monitoring, the technology developed by Phasya to support automotive and industrial user alertness, the real-world application of their technology, and what this could mean for the pipeline industry going forward.

On the 20-year anniversary of the Bellingham Incident in Bellingham, Washington, Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomes retired pipeline professional Larry Shelton to share his first-hand recollections and reflect on the importance of pipeline integrity management. Operations Excellence (OE) is the driving force of Mr. Shelton's story. He defines OE as "achieving business goals with no harm to any person, property, or the environment." Simply stated, the mantra is "Business Goals, No Harm." The mantra has a deep emotional connection for Mr. Shelton, whose professional career was forever-changed in 1989 when the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska created a permanent mark for pipeliners such as himself working for the Alyeska Pipeline Service company. Ten years later, the Bellingham Incident forever altered the community of Bellingham, Washington. The Olympic Pipeline ruptured on June 10, 1999, due to a similar series of "domino" events as Exxon Valdez. At the time, Mr. Shelton was ARCO's pipeline integrity representative. He walked the path of the gas rupture that cost human life. In those moments, he saw the human element of operational excellence, realizing that it dwarfs numbers, records, and programs. In the 20 years since the Bellingham Incident, Mr. Shelton has served on numerous industry committees and work groups, including chairman of the API Operations Technical Group. He also served on the Office of Pipeline Safety's Hazardous Liquid Technical Advisory Committee. In his experience, Mr. Shelton has come to realize that "Business Goals, No Harm" is a difficult balance, but it must be done. Listen to his poignant reflections in this sobering and valuable episode of the Pipeliners Podcast.

Recorded on-site at PSIG 2019 in London, Russel Treat and Giancarlo Milano of Atmos International discuss the factors that go into determining batch arrival time of product that is moved through a pipeline during slack line operations. This insightful conversation includes a discussion of the variables that affect batch delivery, the importance of communicating accurate ETAs to operators, the models and calculations used to support accurate arrival time, the technology used to enhance accuracy, and much more. Prepare to geek out over the confluence of math and physics!

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat hosts part two of a conversation with Adam Hill of Kepware/PTC on how to simplify EFM data collection using the latest technology. In this episode, you will learn about the history of data collection in SCADA systems, the difference between the primary data polling protocols, the importance of edge communications for building the architecture that connects field devices to the host server, how to integrate IT and OT using today's technology, and much more.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomes first-time guest Adam Hill of Kepware/PTC to discuss the fundamentals of Open Platform Communications (OPC) used in pipeline automation systems. You will learn about the most important terminology used in OPC, how OPC technology has changed over time since starting as a Microsoft platform, the introduction of a Unified Architecture to connect legacy systems in one framework, the role of the OPC Foundation in helping set industry standards for open communication, and much more. Listen to this valuable technological discussion pertaining to pipeline operations.

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat recaps the 2019 AGA Operations Conference held in late April and early May in Nashville. Russel recaps the most important takeaways and conversations during the conference, his role in hosting a Q&A on the NTSB Most Wanted List with pipeline executives, the results of several informal polls about pipeline activity, and the latest efforts to support pipeline safety.

In the fifth of a series of episodes, Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomes the "Three-Phase Flow" trio of Dan Sensel, Jason Dalton, and Kyle Miller from Marathon Pipe Line to discuss the importance of planning and cooperation to maximize hydraulic design. You will learn how changes to pipeline design plans can significantly impact the engineering work, why the product being moved is just as critical as knowing how much product will be moved in the pipe, and how to enhance collaboration upfront to maximize ROI over the long haul.

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat recaps the 2019 API Pipeline Conference and Control Room Forum held in April in Phoenix. Russel recaps the most important takeaways from the conference, gives his perspective on the conversations held throughout the conference, and provides updates on rulemaking. Topics covered include the state of pipeline safety 20 years after the Bellingham incident, understanding how to interact with Native Americans, pipeline SMS, building a culture of pipeline safety, high-performance HMI, and more critical topics.

This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features Russel Treat and first-time guest Keith Coyle discussing the significance of the U.S. pipeline safety law being considered for re-authorization later this year. You will learn about the basic structure of the Pipeline Safety Act that will be discussed for reauthorization, how the reauthorization and appropriation process works in Congress, the historical impact of pipeline incidents on legislation and regulation, why new technology should be incorporated into the latest standards, and more valuable information.

This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features Russel Treat and first-time guest Jon Naylor discussing the process of securing pipelines in the field. Listen for the historical and current technology used to secure joints, the different types of methods used, the current testing standards, the importance of the three t's of industrial joint integrity, and more valuable insight.

In the fourth of a series of episodes, Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomes Dan Sensel, Jason Dalton, and Kyle Miller from Marathon Pipe Line to discuss the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of leak detection systems. The discussion focuses on specific pipeline situations involving instrumentation, leak detection, optimizing alarms, pressure and metering considerations, the accuracy of measurement equipment, batched products, and more topics. Listen for real-world applications that you can apply to your operation and role to support leak detection, safety, and risk mitigation.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomes back pipeline historian KC Yost to discuss an important industry membership group, The Pipeliners Association of Houston. Listen for valuable insight on the formation of the group, the association's mission of knowledge transfer to advance pipeline engineering and operating practices, the growth of the association's scholarship offerings to support aspiring professionals, and more. Whether you live and work in Houston or elsewhere in the U.S., discover how the information in this episode applies to your local region.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat takes you deep into the weeds this week to connect Plato's Allegory of The Cave to the API 1165 industry standard for pipeline control room displays, thanks to insight from pipeline consultant Charles Alday. Listen for the latest information on the expected 2019 update to API 1165, the goal of the update to incorporate the latest technology to help pipeline controllers achieve deeper understanding of what they are seeing, the importance of supporting controllers for abnormal situations, and the latest industry statistics on the sources of abnormal situations.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat hosts an educational and timely episode of the podcast covering natural gas pipelines. Part 1 of the episode focuses on the history of natural gas pipelines in the United States to understand the context of regulations. Part 2 focuses on current rulemaking and proposed changes that will affect pipeliners involved in natural gas gathering, transmission, and distribution. You will also learn about the current focus on pipeline safety, including the five guiding principles adopted by INGAA to support the industry's goal to achieve zero incidents.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomes back Marc Lamontagne of the Lamontagne Pipeline Assessment Corporation for an important discussion on pipeline integrity, as it relates to the 2019-2020 NTSB "Most Wanted List." In this episode, you will learn what NTSB is recommending to PHMSA in regards to pipeline inspection, integrity management, and pressure testing. Within these topics, you will learn about very complex issues that are in the early stages of being dropped into a regulatory framework. Listen for what you need to know right now to stay ahead of the curve.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat hosts an informative episode dissecting the new Gas Gathering Rule that is advancing through the PHMSA rulemaking process. Find out what you need to know about the rulemaking timeline, what is covered under the new rule, the types of lines that will be brought under the new rule, the importance of area classification, and the effect of the U.S. government shutdown on the rulemaking process. Also, find valuable links, notes, and resources on the podcast episode page at PipelinersPodcast.com.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat is joined by control room expert Ross Adams of EnerSys Corporation to discuss two important facets of control room management: alarm management and emergency response. In this episode, you will learn about the importance of advancing from alarm rationalization to Alarm Management, establishing clear definitions in the control room to ensure alignment among all personnel, having a plan to mitigate risk in each operating condition, and more. We are also seeking your feedback on this episode. In advance of Russel Treat presenting a whitepaper on this topic at the API Pipeline Conference & Control Room Forum, we are seeking industry input on alarm management and emergency response. After listening to the episode, please contact the show at PipelinersPodcast.com or reach out to Russel Treat on LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/russeltreat) with your input.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat flies solo in this episode discussing the 2019-2020 NTSB "Most Wanted List." Russel dissects the open safety recommendations published by the NTSB, specifically the safety notices for pipeline operators, gas utilities, PHMSA, and vendors. In addition to listening to the podcast, take the time to review the information and resources in the episode show notes at PipelinersPodcast.com and on the NTSB website at NTSB.gov.

In the third of a series of episodes, Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomes Dan Sensel, Jason Dalton, and Kyle Miller from Marathon Pipe Line to discuss how relief valves work and best operate in liquid pipelining. You will learn a lot of math in this episode. We hope that you can apply the calculations, processes, and real-world experience relayed by the Marathon trio directly in your role. Also, listen for unique insight on the relief valve technology used right now in the field.

In this week's Pipeliners Podcast episode, Russel Treat welcomes back cybersecurity expert Clint Bodungen to discuss the latest developments in cybersecurity, specifically cyber vulnerabilities and quantifying risk. You will learn about the CVSS scoring system that Clint's team is building upon to create the IVSS system for comprehensive risk quantification calculation for industrial cybersecurity, how to think about the current industrial standards for cybersecurity, and more critical topics.

In this week's Pipeliners Podcast episode, host Russel Treat reverses roles as the interview subject. Listen to renown broadcaster Jason Spiess of The Crude Life Network interview Russel about the Pipeliners Podcast, the growth of our podcast in its second year, and more interesting tidbits you may not know about!

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat hosts a fascinating, insightful, and educational episode with KC Yost, a third-generation pipeliner who has 100 years of family industry knowledge to draw from. Listen for insight on how the pipeline industry has changed over time, the technology that has sprouted out from experiments and real-world problem-solving, and the futuristic technology could will provide even more value to the industry. You will also hear great anecdotes and stories ranging from the Civil War era to modern-day pipelining that help illustrate the origins and history of the industry.

In the second of a series of episodes, Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomes Dan Sensel, Jason Dalton, and Kyle Miller from Marathon Pipe Line for an important discussion of how to manage slack line in a liquid pipeline. In this episode, you will learn about what causes a slack line, the risks associated with a slack line, what should be included in your operations plan to manage a slack line, the impact of a slack line on leak detection, and various calculations to help identify the appropriate steps to take.

The Pipeliners Podcast kicks off 2019 with a very special episode. Russel Treat welcomes Ryan Sitton, a Texas Railroad Commissioner, for the first episode of the new year. In this episode, you will learn about the three primary functions of the railroad commissioners in Texas, how the Railroad Commission acts as an advocate for the oil and gas industry at the state level, the mind-blowing future growth opportunities for production in Texas, and how technology is affecting the law of the land. Listen to this important and encouraging episode for pipeliners, then share the episode with your friends, family, and colleagues in the industry.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat hosts a special Christmas edition of the Pipeliners Podcast. As our Christmas gift to you, we are giving away an iTunes gift card! But, you must be one of the first 25 listeners to correctly answer the trivia question presented in the episode.

The Pipeliners Podcast is honored to welcome Cliff Johnson, the president of the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI), for a timely and important discussion with host Russel Treat. The discussion centers on how the PRCI has developed a data hub to collect, store, and share information from across the pipeline industry to continue advancing the industry's capabilities and the creation of the PRCI Technology Development Center. You will learn about the work being done to improve safety, increase the use of technology in real-life and real-world settings, and the importance of training the next generation of professionals. Be sure to share this episode with other pipeline professionals who are interested in the present use of technology and data to advance the industry.

In the first of a series of episodes, Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomes Dan Sensel, Jason Dalton, and Kyle Miller from Marathon Pipe Line to discuss API 1175 and Leak Detection Program Management. In this episode, you will understand the distinction of API 1175 as a management system practice versus a regulatory requirement, the importance of performing Gap Analysis before implementing API 1175, and the critical step of establishing the right leak detection culture before investing in technology.

The Pipeliners Podcast is continuing a series on pipeline safety management systems (SMS) by welcoming David Murk of API for the first time. Russel Treat and David discuss the formation of RP 1173 that set the standard for pipeline SMS systems, how the RP is scalable and flexible to meet the needs of pipeline operators and midstream companies, the current phase of implementation, and relevant tools to help operators and companies achieve full implementation.

The Pipeliners Podcast welcomes back Jeremy Coleman of Northwest Natural to discuss the challenges of Alarm Management, dating back to the original conceptualization getting the process going. Jeremy and host Russel Treat walk through the timeline of advancing from the concept of Alarm Management to achieving compliance to optimizing Alarm Management for pipeline operations excellence. Included in the discussion are the real-time tools used by controllers in the control room and the post-analytic tools used by management to understand how to modify alarms. Listen for a full discussion of the value provided to each stakeholder in pipeline operations. Plus, listen all the way through for a special challenge from Russel and Jeremy to add to the conversation!

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat hosts the one-year anniversary edition of the podcast reviewing the past year of episodes. Listen for Russel's observations, insights, and takeaways from a full year of podcast episodes with many great guests who appeared on the first year of the show.

The Pipeliners Podcast is pleased to welcome first-time guest Yogi Schulz of Corvelle Consulting to discuss the key elements of a SLMS (Safety and Loss Management System) in Canada. You will learn about the differences between pipeline regulations in the U.S. and Canada, the importance of collecting evidence that supports "assurance" for compliance purposes, and how to determine the appropriate audit support for all size pipeline operations. Listen for valuable insight to apply directly to your role!

The Pipeliners Podcast welcomes API policy advisor Stuart Saulters to discuss the important elements of a pipeline safety management system (Pipeline SMS). In this episode, you will learn about the industry's shift to implementing Pipeline SMS following the pipeline incidents in 2010, how API RP 1173 was created, the importance of changing the culture in pipeline operations to get the most benefit from API 1173, and how to close gaps in your operation.