September 13, 2018

Pipeline SMS Team Members,

I hope you all had a restful and relaxing summer! As schools start up again and vacations wind down, the Pipeline SMS Industry Team looks forward to an eventful fall as we continue to make implementation real and achievable for pipeline operators.

This summer, the Pipeline SMS Industry Team has had several significant implementation developments. Shawn Lyon, of Marathon Pipe Line and Industry Team Chair, presented at a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigative hearing in July on the value of safety management systems, leading the NTSB Chairman to congratulate the pipeline industry for moving so quickly to implement safety management systems. In early September, the Evaluation Tool and Guidance Instructions were published and are available on the website here. Additionally, the Industry Team met at API’s offices in Washington, DC to update the Team on subteam activities, agree on Industry Team governance, review the Voluntary Third-Party Assessment structure and learn about a member company’s SMS tracking database.

As fall kicks off, we hope you will join us for the Pipeline SMS Industry Tools Workshop on October 10 at the San Luis Hotel in Galveston, TX. The workshop will feature small group breakouts where participants will learn about six Pipeline SMS program elements through discussions and question and answer sessions with facilitators familiar with implementation tools and program elements. For registration, hotel or additional information, please use this link.

Lastly, please be on the lookout for a 10-15 minute survey from the Pipeline SMS Industry Team on implementation progress. Responses will be blinded and aggregated for inclusion in the 2018 Pipeline SMS Annual Report and with PHMSA and other key stakeholders. Please feel free to send this newsletter to anyone in your organization participating in Pipeline SMS, and I welcome any thoughts, feedback or sharing any of you would like to provide as we progress along our journey of Pipeline SMS implementation.

Thank you,

David Murk
API Pipeline Manager

DEMONSTRATING PROGRESS

Publication of Evaluation Tool

In early September, the Pipeline SMS Conformance Team finalized the Evaluation Tool and Guidance Instructions, available here on the website. The tool provides a simple method to document an evaluation of an operator’s Pipeline SMS program on its conformance to the recommended practice (levels 1-3 on the Maturity Model), its effectiveness in implementation (level 4) and its effectiveness in improving pipeline safety performance (level 5). The tool can be used by both internal and external evaluators for gas distribution, gas transmission, and liquids pipelines. Visit the website here for the tool and guidance instructions, as well as the Evaluation Tool webinar conducted in June for more information.

Free, Downloadable Version of RP 1173

The Pipeline SMS Industry Team is excited to announce that a free, downloadable version of API Recommended Practice (RP) 1173, Pipeline Safety Management Systems is available here on the website. With support from INGAA, AGA, APGA, AOPL and CEPA, API is demonstrating the industry’s commitment to improving pipeline safety performance by providing the RP, in its entirety, free of charge to any pipeline operator.

August 30 Industry Team Meeting

The Pipeline SMS Industry Team met at API’s offices in Washington, DC on August 30. Industry Team members, including representatives from API, AOPL, CEPA, INGAA, AGA and APGA, reviewed Team governance, received an update on the voluntary Third-Party Assessment structure and participated in an information sharing from a member company on their SMS tracking database. The Team also reviewed the Communications Subteam charter and viewed two new videos on Pipeline SMS. Lastly, the Team prepared for the October 10 Implementation Tools Workshop and is encouraging additional presenters and participants to attend.

APGA Commitment to Pipeline SMS

At their July 25, 2018 APGA Annual Meeting, APGA members adopted the “APGA Commitment to Pipeline Safety”, which demonstrates members’ dedication to the essential elements of pipeline safety: fostering a positive employee safety culture, communicating with stakeholders, implementing safe work practices, and enhancing pipeline integrity. While many elements of the commitment are aligned with existing pipeline safety regulatory requirements, APGA’s resolution is built upon a dedication to continuous improvement, including going above and beyond to ensure the safety of the pipelines operated by APGA members. The APGA Commitment to Pipeline Safety can be viewed here.

COMMUNICATING PIPELINE SMS

Marathon Presentation to NTSB

Shawn Lyon, Vice President of Operations with Marathon Pipe Line and Chair of the Industry Team, presented to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on the value of safety management systems. NTSB invited Shawn to present on the second day of their investigative hearing on managing the safety of passenger railroads and wanted the hearing participants to learn about the pipeline industry’s experience developing and implementing a Pipeline SMS. In his presentation, Shawn covered our industry’s journey, the benefits of an SMS and Marathon’s experience to date. NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt congratulated the industry for moving to implement the NTSB’s recommendation so quickly, praised the benefits already seen and later remarked that Shawn’s was one of the best SMS presentations he had ever seen. Great job to Shawn and the Marathon SMS Team!

API Presentation to Energy Pipeline Management Summit

API Pipeline Manager David Murk presented to the Energy Pipeline Management Summit on July 16 and 17 in Dallas, TX. The Summit offers a forum for pipeline executives and solution providers to discuss and identify key catalysts driving the future of the pipeline industry. Dave’s remarks focused on the development of API RP 1173 and the journey that the pipeline industry is currently experiencing as they implement Pipeline SMS across the gas distribution, gas transmission and liquids pipeline segments.

Pipeline SMS Videos

AOPL has developed a video titled “Pipeline SMS: Benefits” to communicate the value and benefits of a Pipeline SMS. The video, which is available on the Pipeline SMS website here, features testimony from pipeline operators including MIPC and Marathon Pipe Line and serves as an excellent tool to promote the benefits of Pipeline SMS in improving pipeline safety performance. The video file can be downloaded here so pipeline operators on the journey of implementation can embed the video on their websites or communications material to highlight the value of Pipeline SMS.

INGAA Foundation Safety Culture Report

During the first quarter of 2018, the INGAA Foundation commissioned a report by Process Performance Improvement Consulting (P-PIC) and the Center for Applied Psychological Research (CAPR) through the University of Houston to provide a detailed account of how INGAA member companies developed and executed the INGAA safety culture survey.

The main goal of the report is to provide interested parties an overview of the rationale for the safety culture project, as well as an overview of results. Furthermore, the report is intended to provide regulators and member company employees with an overview of the survey development process, decision-making activities and the scientific and business rationales for executing the survey. The INGAA Foundation hopes the report will guide other pipeline trade organizations and industries that are considering the development of an industry-wide survey to advance the safety culture of their respective industries and contribute to the health and well-being of their workforce and member organizations.

TOOLS & TRAINING

Evaluation Tool and API Third Party Assessment

The Evaluation Tool is now complete and is published on the website here. API is continuing to work on the development of the API Third-Party Assessment program, in particular developing training materials for the Pipeline SMS assessors and planning the pilot to test the Third-Party Assessment tools and process. It is expected that the pilot will be conducted in the Fall 2018.

API RP 1173 eLearning Training

Development works continues with the six-person pipeline subject matter expert (SME) team on developing eLearning for API RP 1173. The final outline has been developed and approved and the team is working through resolving comments on the draft of the training scripts, including the audio and video content. Based on the extensive review required, launch is expected before the end of 2018.

MORE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS UPDATES

API RP 1175 eLearning Training

In conjunction with the eLearning for API RP 1173, industry SMEs are working with API to develop similar eLearning for API RP 1175, Leak Detection Program Management. It will launch before the end of the year as well.

UPCOMING EVENTS

International Pipeline Conference & Exposition - September 25-27

On Thursday, September 27, 2018, members of the Pipeline SMS Industry Team will present a peer-reviewed paper at the International Pipeline Conference (IPC) in Calgary, Alberta. Paper IPC2018-78656 Implementing API RP 1173, Pipeline Safety Management Systems Tools and Resources to Facilitate Industry Implementation explains the tools and reference materials developed by the joint industry Pipeline SMS team as part of a management system track at IPC where industry experts will discuss the development of API RP 1173 and the journey pipeline operators are embarking on as they implement the program for their unique operations and assets. API will be hosting a booth featuring Pipeline SMS and pipeline safety initiatives at the International Pipeline Exposition (IPE), September 25-27, accompanying the IPC. We hope you will come visit our booth, #1316, in the Upper Level to find more information about recent Pipeline SMS developments and additional pipeline safety initiatives.

Pipeline SMS Tools Workshop - October 10

The Pipeline SMS Team invites you to attend the Pipeline SMS Tools Workshop on October 10, 2018 in Galveston, TX. The workshop will feature small group breakout sessions where participants can apply the implementation tools on specific program elements of Pipeline SMS alongside industry experts. The workshop will focus on six particular elements of a Pipeline SMS: Risk Management, Competence, Awareness & Training, Operational Controls, Safety Assurance, Management Review/Key Performance Indicators and API Voluntary Third-Party Assessment. The interactive sessions will include question-and-answer blocks where participants can identify operator-specific challenges or lessons learned with facilitators who have experience using the implementation tools. We have several open spots for presenters still available, so if you are interested and available, please email Sam Minifie, minifies@api.org. Registration, hotels and additional details are available here.

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