811 Day and the call-before-you-dig campaign built around it are among the more successful public safety efforts the pipeline industry has produced. Awareness of the number is close to universal, and one-call centers, operators, and industry groups have spent two decades turning a simple message into a genuine cultural touchpoint, complete with ballpark signage, PSAs, […]
Damage Prevention as an Operational Discipline Read More »
API RP 1168 wasn’t rewritten so much as clarified, and that distinction is worth keeping in mind as you read it. Published in May 2026, the Third Edition of API RP 1168, Pipeline Control Room Management, doesn’t introduce a new philosophy of control room management. The Control Room Management rule itself, 49 CFR 195.446 and
The Five Changes in API RP 1168 (3rd Edition) Every Control Room Manager Should Review Read More »
In our previous posts, PHMSA Control Room Management Enforcement in 2025: An Overview and PHMSA Control Room Management Enforcement in 2025: Insights from the Case Notes, we examined both the scale and substance of Control Room Management (CRM) enforcement activity in 2025. The first article established the numerical baseline: 15 CRM-related enforcement cases and 94
Operationalizing CRM Compliance: A PDCA Approach to Program Resilience Read More »
Fugitive emissions management has become an increasingly important operational and compliance focus across the oil and gas industry. As organizations work to reduce emissions, meet reporting requirements, and improve operational performance, many have implemented programs designed to identify, track, and address emissions throughout their operations. While leak detection often receives significant attention, effective fugitive emissions
Fugitive Emissions Management and Connected Field Operations Read More »
At the 2026 API Pipeline Conference & Expo, EnerSys President & CEO Russel Treat presented a session exploring the growing complexity of pipeline operations and the role organizational alignment plays in supporting safety, compliance, and operational excellence. One of the key themes that emerged from the discussion was that many operational challenges do not originate
As pipeline operations continue to evolve, many operators are managing increasingly complex operational environments. Growth through acquisition, geographic expansion, and organizational change has resulted in control room operations that often span multiple regions, systems, and operating cultures. At the same time, expectations around operational performance, regulatory readiness, and organizational visibility continue to increase. At the
Spring conference season is always a meaningful point of connection for the pipeline industry. Each year, pipeline industry conferences provide an opportunity to step away from day-to-day operations and engage directly with peers, regulators, and service providers on the challenges and priorities shaping the year ahead. This year, our team had the opportunity to participate
Pipeline Industry Conferences 2026: Key Takeaways from AGA and API and What’s Ahead Read More »
In pipeline and field operations, measurement is more than a routine task. It is the foundation for operational accuracy, regulatory compliance, and financial accountability. In many ways, it underpins how volumes are verified, reported, and ultimately valued. Despite its importance, many organizations still manage measurement data through a mix of spreadsheets, manual logs, and disconnected
Centralizing Measurement: A Smarter Approach to Field Data with Muddy Boots Measure Read More »
In field operations, safe work permitting is the point where planning, safety, and execution come together before work begins. The permit process helps ensure the job scope is understood, hazards are considered, and work is authorized under the right conditions. Because of that, safe work permits are more than administrative documents. They are an operational
Safe Work Permitting and the Move Toward Connected Field Operations with Muddy Boots Read More »
Resources and Practical Guidance Alarm management is a foundational component of pipeline control room operations. It supports the identification of abnormal operating conditions, enables timely operator response, and contributes to overall operational safety and performance. A range of industry standards, regulatory requirements, and operational practices define how alarm management systems should be designed, implemented, and
Alarm Management in Pipeline Operations Read More »