New API pipeline safety standard

The oil and gas industry strives for zero incidents to occur. Formed upon this objective and created with cooperation and guidance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and other key stakeholders, the American Petroleum Institute (API) is introducing a new pipeline safety management system standard for the US, namely Recommended Practice 1173 (RP).

Committed to enhancing pipeline safety

This new standard is designed to enhance pipeline safety, thereby reducing the number of incidents within the industry.

API developed and published RP 1173 under its process, accredited by the American National Standards Institute. It is the American National Standard on the subject of pipeline safety management systems. API’s process is transparent and ensures that government, academic and industry professionals participate fully in the development of API standards.

The new RP 1173 will build upon the existing safety requirement, to monitor and measure the effectiveness of pipeline activities with a ‘plan, do, check and act’ philosophy that requires periodic reviews and applies changes or corrections to activities as needed.

Protecting the public and environment and providing fuels

API’s Midstream Director, Robin Rorick, commented: “Pipelines are safe and efficient, but we are always looking for new ways to make them better, which is why industry is embracing this new standard.” He continued: “It’s also a great example of what can be done when industry, regulators and all key stakeholders work together to achieve a common objective, which is to protect the public, the environment and provide the fuels Americans need.”

“We continue to be committed to safety and this standard raises that bar even further,” said Rorick. “This new standard gives operators a holistic framework to identify and address safety concerns for a pipeline’s entire lifecycle.”

Edited from source by Elizabeth Corner

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/regulations-and-standards/09072015/new-api-pipeline-safety-standard/