Pipeline Management for Small and Accidental Operators

Most pipeline operators manage their pipeline systems with a regulatory manager, integrity manager, engineering manager, geospatial manager, and other team members. It is not cost-effective to have many staff members for accidental and small pipeline operators. It is rare to find an individual who can perform several of these roles effectively at the level required by today’s industry, regulatory, and stakeholder standards.

To assist the accidental/small pipeline operator in the annual management of operations, maintenance, and compliance tasks, Altamira has developed a pipeline management service described in detail below. The following sections describe the services that Altamira can perform. Our services meet the needs of individual clients. 

a row of metal pipes going towards the ocean.

1. Annual Pipeline Management Services

The pipeline management services performed include One-Call management. The service has a review of One-Call tickets and determines the required action.

  • Meetings with emergency response teams and public officials
  • Annual public awareness mail-outs
  • Annual PHMSA reporting
  • Annual National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) submissions
  • Annual state and local regulator submittals
  • Support during all scheduled PHMSA and state/local audits relating to pipeline integrity management
  • Annual program reviews (operations and maintenance manuals, operator qualifications (OQ) program, integrity management program, etc.)
  • Threat assessment and periodic evaluation of integrity program
  • Annual high consequence area (HCA), class location, and structure verification reports
  • Upkeep of regulatory compliance changes
  • Management of 3rd party contractors for annual pipeline work activities
  • Scheduled stakeholder meetings with the client
  • Planning and budgeting cycles for related pipeline activities
  • Assisting with the management of pipeline data and required documentation
  • Monthly review meetings and update reports

Altamira will provide appropriate staff with the required expertise to assist and support the client during all scheduled PHMSA and state/local audits relating to pipeline integrity management as part of the annual pipeline management. The work required to prepare for these specific audits is not included. The preparation work will be handled on a case-by-case basis and is considered additional support under Section 5 below.

2. Annual Pipeline Work Activities

The items below are work activities that will be performed directly on the pipeline assets in the field to assure compliance and integrity during the operations and maintenance of the pipeline assets:

  • Scheduling of annual pipeline work activities
  • Cathodic protection system readings and evaluations
  • Annual cathodic protection system testing (i.e. close interval surveys)
  • Required annual leak surveys
  • Review of required valve operations and maintenance
  • Overpressure protection maintenance
  • Above ground visual inspections as required

Excluded from the annual pipeline work activities are line marking and other field activities associated with damage prevention, including a presence during all One-Call dig activities. These activities may vary depending on the volume of One-Calls annually and the type of projects performed. As a result, these are not typically included in the annual activities and charge separately.

3. Third-Party Contract Service Management

Altamira provides third-party contract services and materials on behalf of the client. If there is a potential need for third-party services or materials, Altamira will give an approximate scope and cost. Upon review, the client will decide whether a formal bidding process is required or if there is a preferred supplier. After receiving direction on the procurement strategy, Altamira will manage the procurement process and present the results to the client for approval of the scope, cost, supplier selection, and schedule. Altamira will manage the execution and pass through the third-party services and materials on a cost-plus basis.

All Altamira scope related directly to the management of the defined third-party scope will be covered under the “plus” markup and not subject to additional charges.

4. Geographic Information System Managed Solution

To meet the needs of internal data requirements, integration, and regulatory compliance, Altamira can manage a client’s geographic information system (GIS) while providing the client access to the geodatabase via the ArcGIS Online (AGOL) platform.

The services provided by Altamira vary depending upon the existence and level of the client’s GIS and can include:

  • Create the GIS database from as-built pipeline drawings and alignment sheets
  • Create published feature layers and a map service to view data present in the existing BCO PODS spatial database
  • Administer the rights of the client’s users of the platform, allowing view-only or edit permissions to users that the client designates
  • Create a map service for the client to view and edit data published from the client’s PODS database
  • Update the published layers monthly, based upon modifications compiled by the client and Altamira users

After these edits are proven to be accurate, the client’s PODS database will update with all changes:

  • Maintain and back up the GIS database on Altamira servers
  • Create and update alignment sheets
  • GIS updates for new pipeline reroutes, or other pipeline centerline geometry changes
  • ArcGIS online training

Many of the GIS services above would be part of a monthly activity basis; however, extraordinary items, such as the initial creation or significant updates due to capital projects, would be considered additional work activities or projects. 

5. Additional Project Activities

Activities or projects not included in the annual pipeline management services and work activities that the client desires to have completed or managed by Altamira will be on a time and material basis at the agreed-upon rates. The scope of work and the schedule establish before the project begins.

For more details, download our brochure.

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