On July 1, The Pipeline Safety Management Systems (Pipeline SMS) Industry Team published the 2023 Pipeline SMS Annual Report. For the third year in a row, the report found that nearly 85% of transmission and gathering mileage participated in voluntary Pipeline SMS implementation. Pipeline safety management systems help operators, as well as pipeline contractors, create a safety culture and work to advance a zero-incident future.

After the publication of API Recommended Practice (RP) 1173, Pipeline Safety Management Systems, in 2015, the pipeline industry began efforts to promote the commitment to and implementation of RP 1173. The Pipeline SMS Industry Team supports industry’s implementation journey and fosters good practice sharing by outlining implementation tools, program elements and training materials for operators and contractors throughout the year. In 2023, the Team’s Annual Survey found that nearly 85% of transmission and gathering mileage has adopted PSMS and is implementing the voluntary program. Distribution operators were not surveyed in 2023 due to their participation in PHMSA’s Request for Information that year.

Pipeline SMS is led by API, the Liquids Pipeline Energy Association (LEPA), American Gas Association (AGA), American Public Gas Association (APGA), GPA Midstream Association, American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA), Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), and Distribution Contractors Association (DCA).

Click here to view the report.