PIPELINE INSPECTOR TRAINING PROGRAMS

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1 ABSTRACT As our pipeline industry grows and changes, regulations and standards are developed to help facilitate and drive these changes. New amendments concerning pipeline inspectors will require both operators and contractors in the pipeline industry to comply with a new level of accountability and compliance. PIPELINE INSPECTOR TRAINING PROGRAMS Angela Sellers, MS Education and Training Developer

2 Table of Contents Executive Summary... 2 Regulatory Solution... 2 EWN Pipeline Inspector Training Courses... 3 Conclusion... 4 Works Cited... 4

3 Pipeline Inspector Training Programs Executive Summary PHMSA, the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, is responsible for ensuring the safe operations of existing pipeline facilities as well as the construction of new pipeline facilities. To this end, PHMSA uses the Code of Federal Regulations as guidelines for performing inspections of pipelines at all phases of construction and pipeline operations. Within the Code of Federal Regulations are specific requirements related to pipeline design and construction that must be adhered to by all pipeline operators and contractors. Pipeline design and construction regulations contain detailed requirements. Design requirements address such issues as the required strength of pipe for certain applications as well as design of components to be attached. Construction requirements address such issues as how welding must be performed, limitations on pipe bending, installing pipe in a ditch, and the required depth of burial. In February 2015, PHMSA released a public statement describing a significant increase in pipeline construction in recent years. Consequently, PHMSA is conducting more routine new construction inspections each year. These routine new construction inspections of pipelines and pipeline facilities have revealed an increasing number of integrity issues that must be resolved before the pipeline construction can be completed, and the pipeline commissioned into service. This discovery has led to a need for additional qualified industry inspectors to perform inspections during pipeline construction projects. Regulatory Solution For years, there has been an industry need for pipeline inspectors that are responsible for ensuring all work is performed within all federal regulations, state regulations, city or county codes, and operator policies and procedures. Although there are some recommended best practices that have been adopted along the way, there were still no regulations or official training programs specifically requiring that inspectors are qualified, certified, or even experienced in performing the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of an inspector - until now. Beginning effective October 1, 2015, the following amendment to the Final Rule will be applicable to inspectors and inspections:

4 49 CFR Each transmission line and main must be inspected to ensure that it is constructed in accordance with this subpart. An operator must not use operator personnel to perform a required inspection if the operator personnel performed the construction task requiring inspection. Nothing in this section prohibits the operator from inspecting construction tasks with operator personnel who are involved in other construction tasks. 49 CFR Inspection must be provided to ensure that the installation of pipe or pipeline systems is in accordance with the requirements of this subpart. Any operator personnel used to perform the inspection must be trained and qualified in the phase of construction to be inspected. An operator must not use operator personnel to perform a required inspection if the operator personnel performed the construction task requiring inspection. Nothing in this section prohibits the operator from inspecting construction tasks with operator personnel who are involved in other construction tasks. Prior to October 1, 2015, inspections were required for the installation of pipe and pipeline systems; however, the change directly affects who can perform the inspection. In other words, an inspector cannot inspect his or her own work or the work of someone working under their span-of-control. These new amendments create an immediate need for more qualified inspectors to ensure that completed work can be inspected in a timely manner resulting in ontime project completions. EWN Pipeline Inspector Training Courses To help meet the growing need for more industry qualified pipeline inspectors, ENERGY worldnet, Inc. (EWN) has created the industry s first complete Pipeline Inspector Training Program. This suite of 50 Pipeline Inspector Training courses is designed to fulfill the specific regulatory and training needs of pipeline inspectors throughout the industry. Each course was

5 created with the inspector in mind to help enhance the inspector s knowledge of industry construction standards, best practices, and federal regulations. Conclusion The pipeline industry as we know it is ever growing and changing. Regulations and standards help facilitate and drive these changes as the industry seeks to improve in all aspects. As a reflection of that improvement, the new amendments concerning pipeline inspection requirements have challenged the pipeline industry to comply with a new level of accountability and compliance. The new amendments will increase the need for both operators and contractors to qualify additional inspectors in order to meet project deadlines and completion dates. How is your company preparing to meet these requirements? Works Cited "49 CFR 191, 192, and 195 [Docket No. PHMSA ; Amdt. Nos ; ; ] Pipeline Safety: Miscellaneous Changes to Pipeline Safety Regulations" Federal Register. 11 Mar. 2015, Vol. 80, No. 47: 12762, Print. "Pipeline Construction: Pipeline Construction and PHMSA". Pipeline Construction. PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration). Web. 23 June "Pipeline Construction: Pipeline Construction and PHMSA". Pipeline Construction. PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration). Web. 23 June