Natural Gas Safety Are we doing enough?

Transcription

1 Natural Gas Safety Are we doing enough? Nathan Dore Gas Pipeline Safety Inspector Maine Public Utilities Commission Maine Public Utilities Commission Consumer Assistance and Safety Division Derek Davidson, Director Tammy Chamberlain, Safety Programs Coordinator Gas Safety Program Staff: Gary Kenny, Gas Safety Manager Sean Watson, Gas Pipeline Safety Inspector Nathan Dore, Gas Pipeline Safety Inspector Damage Prevention Program Staff: Richard LeClair, Damage Prevention Inspector Barry Truman, Damage Prevention Inspector 1

2 Gas Safety Enforcement Ensure compliance with federal and state minimum safety standards Field, records, procedure inspections 254 person days Approximately 250 separate NG sites / visits 153 Propane Facilities Operations and Maintenance, Construction, Testing, Design, Remediation, Public Awareness, Personnel Qualification, Others Damage Prevention Perform investigations of buried facility damage incidents, including natural gas Provide damage prevention training for utility operators and excavators 2

3 Resolution of Safety Violations Notices of Probable Violations, Civil Penalties Majority of gas safety inspection findings onsite corrections, informal proceedings (warning notices, requests for information, further discussion, corrective action plans) Communication Efforts by MPUC PHMSA / NTSB Advisory Bulletins Widespread issues and observations Requests for information / justification of practices Opportunities to participate in federal and state rulemaking Distribution of inspection sets and guidance documents 3

4 Communication Efforts by Operators Meetings with gas safety staff to discuss project planning Self reporting Monthly leak / odor call reports Incident reporting Requests for regulatory interpretation Emerging technologies / new methods feasibility Damage Prevention Awareness Participation in Dig Safe Promotion of the 811 one call system Participation in Managing Underground Safety Training (MUST) efforts Despite widespread recognition, buy in from private and public stakeholders, third party excavation damage remains the number one cause of natural gas pipeline incidents regionally and nationally 4

5 Other Public Awareness Efforts Press releases by MPUC Operators use of pipeline markers Operators direct mail and broadcast marketing Pipeline Purpose and Reliability Hazards and Prevention One Call and Damage Prevention Leak Identification Proactive, Purposed Communication Enlists public as an active participant in safety efforts Lowers risk of unknown Reduces inefficient deployment of resources Safety efforts stronger through partnerships, cooperation 5

6 Maine Natural Gas October 6, 2016 Safety Issues Presentation 13 Company Overview Communities Served Augusta Mid Coast Bowdoin Bath Brunswick Topsham West Bath Freeport Gorham Westbrook (Energy Center) Windham Summary Statistics First customer connection Miles of installed main 4,500 Customers 3,300 Residential 1,200 Commercial / Industrial / Transportation Estimated annual throughput ~ 20 bcf

7 A simple set of guiding principles that will help all of us to promote positive behaviours and attitudes, which will in turn reduce accidents and help keep us safe. We ve called these our Health & Safety Essentials. The Health & Safety Essentials apply to us all and will help us deliver our Health & Safety vision of: Harm Free Operations A Fair and Just Health & Safety Culture No adverse impacts to Employees, Contractors, Customers & General Public 15 We follow our processes, rules and procedures We promote health and well being in and outside of work We only undertake work we are competent to do We think before we act assess and control the risks We look out for each other and work as a team

8 Leak Repair Chapter Grade 1 - Repair Grade 2 - Thirty days repair / re-evaluate Grade 3 Monitor re Evaluate every 180 days MNG endeavors to repair all leaks annually The benefits include: Early excavation improves integrity management Reduces overall cost of gas Makes safe Reduces methane emissions 17 Questions?

9 Gas Pipeline Safety and Technology Northern Utilities, Inc. d/b/a Unitil October 6, 2016 Patrick Taylor, Senior Counsel Technology Initiatives: Asset Management Trace & Traceability Gas Component with Bar Code Integrated Scanner w/ GPS Integrated with GIS Mapping 11

10 Technology Initiatives: Asset Management Key Data Examples Pipe Size & Sizing System 1 IPS Wall Thickness SDR 11 Product Name Driscoplex Series 8100 Pipe Material Designation PE3408/PE4710 Manufacturing Standard ASTM D 2513 Date of MFG July 1, 2012 Plant Code & Extrusion Line KV 4(Knoxville Tennessee) Resin Code RN B53m1 Shift & Operator No Unitil Installer Employee No Technology Initiatives: Leak Management Mobile Leak Survey Leverage GIS & GPS Fully Integrated System Mobile Leak Survey Sensit PMD Mobile Lap Top VeroTrack Mobile Electronic Data Collection Dynamic Work Management Risk Based Approach Web Interface with GIS & CMS 12

11 Technology Initiatives: Leak Management Real Time Tracking of Survey Progress Capturing & Plotting Leak Data & Pipe Performance Drone Pilot Program Unitil is conducting a pilot program using drone technology equipped with high-resolution cameras to visually inspect bridges and other hard-to-reach pipe. * The image above is a stock photo and not necessarily representative of the drones used by Unitil in its pilot program 13

12 Safety Are we doing enough? - Planning for Safer Projects - Thomas R. Eschner Sr. Principal/Sr. Project Manager Woodard & Curran teschner@woodardcurran.com Planning for Safer Projects Safety is not an add-on Communication is key Safety and Quality go hand in hand Nullum gratuitum prandium 15

13 Safety is Not an Add-On It starts even before planning and design o Route analysis/selection o System requirements o Regulatory requirements and industry standards o Materials selection/specification o Construction constraints and methods Develop and communicate a realistic schedule Document decisions and develop written plans Communication is key Purpose of communication o Information transfer o Express needs o Establish and maintain relationships o Influence outcome Asymmetry of outcomes from over communication vs. under communication Up, down, and sideways Document communication 16

14 Safety and quality go hand in hand Quality is conformance to requirements The system of quality is prevention Performance standard is zero defects Measurement of quality is the price of nonconformance Nullum gratuitum prandium Cost of Safe Project Scope Schedule Budget Cost of an unsafe project All of the above Bodily harm Reputation/brand damage Regulatory/enforcement Reduced community acceptance 17

15 Maine PUC Natural Gas Safety Regulation Practice Pointers Katie M. Gray October 6, 2016 Overview Notices of Probable Violation, Step by Step Natural Gas Safety and the Attorney- Client Privilege Safety and Internal Investigations 19

16 I. NOPVs, Step by Step Maine PUC Chapter 420, 8 Indication of apparent violation, followed by Informal disposition or NOPV issuance In response to NOPV Submit written plan or Request informal conference Consent agreement II. Safety and the Privilege Document production Who is the client? Control group test in Maine Maine Rule of Evidence 502(c)(1)(D) Waiver Self-disclosure v. government investigation U.S. v. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 129 F.3d 681 (1st Cir. 1997) 20

17 Internal Investigations When are they necessary Prepare a plan Interview subjects Upjohn warning Create written report Contact Information Katie M. Gray Verrill Dana, LLP kgray@verrilldana.com (207)