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 timin...
Oct 15, 2019•37 min
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.
Oct 08, 2019•36 min
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.
Oct 01, 2019•33 min
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.
Sep 24, 2019•38 min
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.
Sep 17, 2019•18 min
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...
Sep 10, 2019•33 min
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 regul...
Sep 02, 2019•32 min
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 h...
Aug 27, 2019•33 min
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 ...
Aug 20, 2019•32 min
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 ...
Aug 13, 2019•28 min
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 ...
Aug 06, 2019•25 min
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...
Jul 30, 2019•37 min
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 stake...
Jul 23, 2019•31 min
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 topic...
Jul 15, 2019•34 min
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...
Jul 09, 2019•25 min
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.
Jul 04, 2019•33 min
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 change...
Jul 02, 2019•33 min
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, an...
Jun 23, 2019•36 min
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 in...
Jun 18, 2019•34 min
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...
Jun 10, 2019•38 min
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, ...
May 27, 2019•35 min
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.
May 21, 2019•32 min
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 co...
May 14, 2019•33 min
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.
May 07, 2019•27 min
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 ...
Apr 29, 2019•30 min
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 cultu...
Apr 23, 2019•24 min
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 incorp...
Apr 15, 2019•32 min
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.
Apr 09, 2019•28 min
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...
Apr 01, 2019•30 min
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., discov...
Mar 26, 2019•33 min
