d amage p revention : a re the s tates as e ngaged as t hey n eed to b e ? c hristina s ames v ice p...
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DAMAGE PREVENTION: DAMAGE PREVENTION: ARE THE STATES AS ENGAGED AS THEY NEED ARE THE STATES AS ENGAGED AS THEY NEED TO BE?TO BE?
DAMAGE PREVENTION: DAMAGE PREVENTION: ARE THE STATES AS ENGAGED AS THEY NEED ARE THE STATES AS ENGAGED AS THEY NEED TO BE?TO BE?
CHRISTINA SAMESVICE PRESIDENT
OPERATIONS & ENGINEERINGAMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION
CHRISTINA SAMESVICE PRESIDENT
OPERATIONS & ENGINEERINGAMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION
Today’s Presentation
•What we know about excavation damage to distribution pipelines
•Recommendations from DIMP Excavation Damage Prevention (EDP) Team
•What’s working, what isn’t
•Final thoughts from AGA’s Safety Leadership Summit
What We Know
American Gas Foundation (AGF) Study
•Independent report: Safety Performance and Integrity of the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure
•Included State Regulators and Utility Operators
•Incidents analyzed over a 12 year period (1990 – 2002)
AGF Findings
•On distribution lines, outside force is
–60% of incidents
–Nearly 50% of all serious incidents
•3rd party damage accounts for nearly 75% of the serious outside force damage incidents
Outside Force - Serious Incidents Breakdown
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
1st/2nd party 3rd party Earth movement No data
Serious Incidents
PHMSA’s Distribution Stats: Significant
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PHMSA’s Distribution Stats: Serious
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Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP)
EDP Team included:
–PHMSA
–Distribution utilities
–State pipeline safety representatives
–Contractors
–Common Ground Alliance
DIMP EDP Focus
•What actions, approaches or practices can be applied to reduce excavation damage?
•How do states with/without comprehensive damage prevention programs and effective enforcement compare?
Findings
•Excavation damage is declining but still presents the greatest threat to distribution pipeline safety.
•EDP poses the greatest opportunity for safety improvements.
•Distribution pipeline safety and EDP are intrinsically linked. EDP must be addressed to improve pipeline safety.
State Specific Findings
•States with comprehensive EDP programs that include effective enforcement have a substantially lower risk of excavation damage to pipelines and related consequences.
•Federal legislation is needed to help develop and implement comprehensive EDP programs at the state level
•Requires a partnership of all stakeholders
State Without Effective EnforcementLeaks Repaired/1000 TicketsLeaks Repaired/1000 Tickets
Third Party (2000-2003) and Excavation (2004)Third Party (2000-2003) and Excavation (2004)
VA: Effective Enforcement Program
MN: Effective Enforcement ProgramExcavation Damages per 1000 TicketsExcavation Damages per 1000 Tickets
Comprehensive vs. Limited
Example: Southwest Gas
Example: AGL
Note: AL’s effective enforcement began 2000
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1999 2008 expecte
d
Damaged gas lines 6968 2809 -60%!
Work Volumes 730,600 660,600 -10%
Damage Rate/1000 locates:Excavators
7.74 4.27 -39%
Damage Rate/1000 locates:Locators
1.80 0.47 -74%
Elements of Effective EDP Program
1. Enhanced communications between operators and excavators
2. Foster support/partnership of all stakeholder3. Operator’s use of performance measures4. Partnership in employee training5. Partnership in public education6. Dispute resolution process7. Fair and consistent enforcement8. Use of technology to improve process9. Data analysis to improve program
effectiveness
What is working
•Reductions in excavation damage in states with:
–Fair and effective enforcement of ALL parties (not just pipeline operators)
–Everyone is involved
–Enhanced communications among all parties
–Partnerships (regional CGAs, partnering with schools, etc)
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What doesn’t work
•Not involving all parties
– Everyone must be in the pool
(pull them in if you have to)
•Excavation laws that exempt entities
•Excavation laws with no teeth
•Lopsided enforcement
•Independence
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From AGA’s Recent Safety Summit
Which of these 9 elements is most effective in reducing excavation damages?
–Enforcement of state laws: 54%
–Developing effective employee training programs: 21%
–Stakeholder collaboration: 19%
–Effective dispute resolution process: 6%
– Implementation of technology: 0%
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From AGA’s Recent Safety Summit
Which of the 9 elements is most difficult to achieve?
–Enforcement of state laws: 36%
–Developing effective employee training programs: 8%
–Stakeholder collaboration: 34%
–Effective dispute resolution process: 23%
– Implementation of technology: 0%
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