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 in both the AGA Operations Conference & Biennial Exhibition & Spring Committee Meetings and the API Pipeline Conference & Expo. Across both events, the conversations were consistent, practical, and focused on the realities operators are facing today.
While conferences serve as important milestones, they are not endpoints. They are starting points for the continued collaboration and dialogue that ultimately drive improvement across the industry.
AGA and API Pipeline Conferences: Grounded Conversations Across the Industry
Members of the EnerSys team attended both events, engaging with operators, partners, and industry leaders across a range of disciplines. At API, we were present on the exhibit floor at Booth 111, while at AGA, we participated in committee discussions including Gas Control and Integrity Management.
In addition to our presence on the floor and in committee sessions, we hosted a series of informal gatherings, including happy hours and dinners at both conferences. These settings provided a valuable complement to formal sessions, allowing for more candid conversations and deeper engagement with peers across the industry.
Russel Treat also contributed to the formal program at both events. At API, he presented on three separate topics:
- Bridging the Gaps: How an Operations Management System Drives Pipeline Safety and Excellence
- Improving Emergency Response Preparedness Through Gamification and Generative AI
- Driving Operational Excellence: A Framework for Standardizing Operations Across Multiple Control Rooms
During AGA, Russel presented during the conference (Driving Operational Excellence: A Framework for Standardizing Operations Across Multiple Control Rooms) and Improving Emergency Response Preparedness Through Gamification and Generative AI during the Gas Control Committee session. These contributions helped facilitate practical discussions around emerging tools and approaches within the control room.
Key Themes from Pipeline Conferences: Compliance, Inspections, and Operations
Across both AGA and API, one theme stood out clearly: operators continue to focus on navigating the evolving expectations around control room compliance, particularly in the context of regulatory oversight and inspections.
Discussions around Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) inspections were especially prominent. Many operators are working to better understand how to demonstrate compliance in a way that is both defensible and aligned with how their operations actually function day to day.
This is not simply a documentation challenge. It reflects a broader need to ensure that procedures, systems, and training are truly integrated into operational practice. The gap between what is written and what is executed remains a key area of focus.
Closely tied to this is the ongoing evolution of control room management practices. Conversations frequently returned to topics such as audit readiness, alarm management performance, and the ability to effectively train and support controllers in increasingly complex environments.
What was notable across these discussions was the practical nature of the dialogue. Rather than focusing on abstract concepts, operators are looking for ways to implement solutions that are sustainable, measurable, and aligned with regulatory expectations.
Beyond the Event: Why Continued Engagement Matters
One of the most valuable aspects of attending both AGA and API is the continuity of conversation. Many of the discussions that begin in committee rooms or on the exhibit floor continue well beyond the conference itself.
This ongoing engagement is critical. It enables organizations to:
- Share lessons learned and practical approaches
- Align on interpretations of evolving regulatory expectations
- Identify opportunities for improvement across systems and processes
In many ways, the true value of these events is realized after they conclude. The connections made and insights gained serve as a foundation for continued collaboration throughout the year.
Upcoming Pipeline Conferences in 2026
As we move into the second half of the year, there are several upcoming opportunities to continue these conversations and build on the momentum established this spring.
Two key events on the horizon include the 2026 AGA Operations Fall Committee Meetings, PSMS Workshop & Executive Leadership Safety Summit and the SGA Operations Conference, along with the SGA Safety & Training Conference. Each of these events provides a different lens into the operational, safety, and training priorities facing the industry.
These gatherings offer a valuable opportunity to reconnect with peers, explore emerging topics in greater depth, and continue the dialogue around operational performance and compliance.
Featured Event: 2026 POEMS User Group Meeting
In addition to industry conferences, we are also preparing for our annual POEMS® User Group Meeting, which will take place November 3–4, 2026, at the Grand Galvez in Galveston, Texas.
The User Group Meeting is designed to bring together users, industry peers, and members of the EnerSys team in a more focused and collaborative setting. While broader conferences provide industry-wide perspective, the UGM offers an opportunity to engage more directly on the practical application of tools and processes.
Attendees can expect a combination of knowledge sharing, open discussion, and opportunities to provide input that helps shape future development. Just as importantly, the event creates space for peer-to-peer connection, allowing participants to learn from others facing similar challenges.
For those looking to deepen their engagement and contribute to ongoing conversations around operations and compliance, the UGM represents a valuable opportunity to get involved.
Continuing the Conversation
We appreciate the time spent with those who connected with us at AGA and API this Spring. Whether through formal sessions, committee discussions, or informal conversations, those interactions continue to inform how we think about the challenges and opportunities ahead.
If we did not have the chance to connect, we welcome the opportunity to continue the conversation.
As the year progresses, we encourage you to stay engaged, whether through upcoming industry events, the POEMS User Group Meeting, or direct outreach to our team.
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