Pipeliners Podcast

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Scott Sanders of Enbridge and Chrystah Carter of Plains to discuss the recently revised API Recommended Practice 1161, which provides guidance on Operator Qualification (OQ) for hazardous liquid pipelines. The conversation covers the history and purpose of the OQ rule, the collaborative process behind the latest updates to t...

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Jeff Barry to discuss the complex topic of managing geomorphic and hydrotechnical risk at pipeline water crossings. Jeff shares insights from his background in hydrology and sediment transport, highlighting how natural river processes like scour, erosion, and channel migration can impact pipeline integrity. The conversation...

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Jeff Barry to discuss the complex topic of managing geomorphic and hydrotechnical risk at pipeline water crossings. Jeff shares insights from his background in hydrology and sediment transport, highlighting how natural river processes like scour, erosion, and channel migration can impact pipeline integrity. The conversation...

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Colin Frazier from API returns to discuss the latest on API's Operator and newly launched Contractor Assessment Programs. The conversation explores the evolution, structure, and goals of the contractor-focused initiatives, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and collaboration between operators and contractors to enhance safety culture acr...

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast , host Russel Treat speaks with U.S. Representative Randy Weber of Texas about his background, the energy profile of his district, and his motivation for co-sponsoring the Next Generation Pipeline Research and Development Act . Their conversation explores the strategic importance of energy infrastructure on the Gulf Coast, the evolving needs of the pipelin...

This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features Jimmy Stewart from the Ohio Gas Association discussing the growing intersection between electrical demand and natural gas infrastructure. The conversation explores historical trends in electricity generation, the shifting role of natural gas as a baseload power source, and the increasing pressure from emerging sectors like data centers. The discussio...

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Brett Adamcik, chair of the AGA Distribution Integrity Management Committee, joins us at the 2025 AGA Operations Conference to discuss the evolving challenges and priorities in distribution integrity. The conversation explores risk modeling, data collection strategies, the anticipated Safety of Gas Distribution Pipeline Rule, and how operators are prepari...

This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast commemorates the 26th anniversary of the tragic Olympic Pipeline rupture in Bellingham, Washington, which resulted in a catastrophic explosion and the loss of three young lives. Larry Shelton shares his insights from the incident and the conversation serves as a reminder of the responsibilities of those in the pipeline industry. On the 20-year anniversary of...

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Mike Kern joins the show to discuss the work of the AGA Transmission Operations Committee and the value of participating in industry trade groups. The conversation explores key committee initiatives, including regulatory awareness, white paper development on in-situ material testing, and the importance of addressing normalization of deviation in pipeline...

On this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Todd Lakatos and Mary Molina during the 2025 AGA Operations Conference in Aurora, Colorado.  Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Laura Ade, Scott Craig, and Andy Donato - chairs of the Gas Control Committee - during the 2025 AGA Operations Conference in Aurora, Colorado.  Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Dr. Martha Acosta to discuss building safety capacity and her book, Safety Capacity , during the 2025 API Pipeline Conference in Austin, Texas.  Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat talks with Jonathan Elder of J.D. Engineering about how smaller gathering system operators are responding to the PHMSA Mega Rule. The conversation explores the unique challenges these operators face, including limited resources, staff constraints, and operational pressures. Jonathan also shares his own background and insights from workin...

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat welcomes Joe Hainline of Van Ness Feldman to discuss the recent PHMSA advisory bulletin on Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS). Drawing on Joe's regulatory experience at PHMSA and insights from both legal and industry perspectives, the conversation explores the evolving regulatory landscape under the current administration and what it m...

This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast focuses on building a comprehensive knowledge guide for control room operations. Host Russel Treat outlines key concepts essential to effective control room performance, including human-centered design, training and simulation, fatigue management, procedural consistency, and the role of technology. He also highlights valuable resources—both regulatory and fro...

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat welcomes Weldon Wright to reflect on his extensive career in oil and gas measurement and his recent transition into semi-retirement. Weldon shares insights from decades of experience across utilities, vendors, and operators, while also discussing his role as host of the Oil & Gas Measurement Podcast . The conversation explores career pat...

This week's Pipeliners Podcast episode is a rebroadcast of Episode 237 featuring host Russel Treat walking through how each individual pipeliner should think about pipeline cyber security as it relates to supporting their operation. The episode centers on three key areas of threats, understanding, and mitigation. Russel goes into deep detail about cybersecurity threats, the importance of understan...

On this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by corrosion and reliability engineering specialist Dheeraj Narang to discuss applications of artificial intelligence to integrity management.  Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat reflects on the industry's current state of transition, touching on key topics like artificial intelligence in pipeline operations and shifting regulatory dynamics. He discusses the potential benefits and risks of AI deployment and notes the evolving regulatory landscape under the new administration. Russel also invites listeners to sugg...

This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features Dave Murk from the American Petroleum Institute discussing the upcoming API Pipeline Conference. The conversation covers the conference's new format, its "Just Good Business" theme, and key topics such as pipeline safety, regulatory developments, and workforce training. David also highlights the event's keynote speakers, including Dr. Martha Acosta,...

This episode of The Pipeliners Podcast features Mallory Gill discussing process management and Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS). The conversation explores the evolving industry focus on proactive safety performance, the distinction between processes and procedures, and the role of process management in achieving PSMS maturity. The discussion also touches on ways that organizations can emb...

On this week's episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Ross Adams of EnerSys Corporation to discuss operations effectiveness - what it is, how to define it, and how operators should be thinking about it.  Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Jim Curry of Babst Calland to discuss the new notice of preliminary rulemaking from PHMSA regarding CO2.  Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 

This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features a conversation with Dr. Faisal Khan from the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center at Texas A&M University. The discussion explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and process safety, examining how AI can enhance safety performance while addressing potential challenges. Dr. Khan also shares insights into his background, the mission of t...

This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features a discussion with Christopher DeLeon and Rhett Dotson from D2 Integrity on the role of artificial intelligence in integrity management. The conversation explores whether AI is a useful tool or just a buzzword, emphasizing the importance of data quality, AI-assisted decision-making, and real-world applications in pipeline operations. The episode also...