Skip to main content

PG&E recognised for best-in-class gas operations

Published by , Editor - Hydrocarbon Engineering
World Pipelines,


Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has achieved two international certifications for best-in-class operational standards for its gas operations. PG&E is one of the first utilities in the world to hold both the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 55001:2014 and Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 55-1:2008 certifications. The certifications were awarded by the independent, internationally recognised auditor, Lloyd's Register.

Chris Johns, PG&E President, said: "I am proud of the determination of our gas operations team for this accomplishment and the progress it represents. The men and women of PG&E have worked tirelessly to transform the safety and reliability of our gas system and earn back the trust of our customers."

In early 2014, Lloyd's Register travelled throughout PG&E's 70 000 square mile service area reviewing safety practices, information and risk management policies, employee qualifications, emergency response protocols and more than 20 additional critical areas of asset management. The certification process also involved a series of rigorous, independent audits and interviews of more than 150 PG&E management, field employees and contractors.

Executive Vice President Nick Stavropoulos, who has overseen the modernisation of PG&E's natural gas system said: "These certifications are evidence of our continually improving safety culture and our robust asset management programme. We are proud of our progress and the great strides we're making toward world-class safety performance. But we still have more to do to become the safest, most reliable gas company in the country."

The underlying requirements of the ISO 55001:2014 and PAS 55-1:2008 standards are the foundation of PG&E's safety management system. They require the highest level of rigor for managing the company's large number of physical assets, which include transmission and distribution pipelines, pressure regulator stations, gas storage facilities, meters and more. PG&E is also strengthening its safety culture by investing in workforce development and supplying the latest tools and technology to enhance the safety and reliability of its gas service. Continuous improvement is at the heart of a safety culture and PG&E encourages all employees to raise issues and submit them through the company's Corrective Action Programme, where issues are tracked until resolution.

ISO 55001:2014 and PAS 55-1:2008 are renewed every three years with regular observation assessments to maintain certification. PG&E's gas operations must sustain the performance demonstrated at the time of initial certification and continue to improve in order for the certifications to be renewed. PG&E joins other major companies around the world that have earned ISO 55001:2014 or PAS 55-1:2008 certification, including ScottishPower, London Underground, Fingrid, Scotia Gas Networks, EDF Nuclear, London Gatwick Airport and Western Power Distribution.


Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/28052014/pg_e_recognised_for_best_in_class_gas_operations_425/

You might also like

 
 

Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below):