Summary of Best Practices Roundtable

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• Summary of Best Practices Roundtable
• Damage Prevention and Marking Locating
• For Distribution and Transmission Operators
• March 28-30, 2006
• Las Vegas, NV
• Andrew Lu
• Ph 202-824-7342
• Emailalu_at_aga.org

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Overview of Best Practices Programs

• Originally began in 1993
• An important program for our members
• Past Distribution topics include Training, Leak
  Survey, Main Service Replacement, New Main
  Construction, Safety, Meter Reading
• Past Transmission topics Engine Compressor
  Analysis, Public Education, Internal Corrosion,
  Pipeline Repair

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Overview of Best Practices Programs
Members submit data and information to AGA within
a web-based application called BESS. AGA
prepares a summary and disseminates to members
for their use and information..
Members select topics to be benchmarked on year
in advance. For each topic, data packets are
developed along with a questionnaire.
For most topics, AGA/SGA will hold a roundtable
meeting where subject matter experts gather to
exchange ideas and best practices.
Company reps go back to their office and share
ideas/practices discussed. Implementation of new
practices or processes may result.
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General Information

• Approximately 80 individuals in attendance
• 1st Roundtable under enhanced, new structure for
  Best Practices Program
• 9 guest presenters over 2-1/2 days
• 4 breakout groups (1 transmission)
• Damage Prevention was primarily addressed first
  1-1/2 days, Staking was primarily addressed the
  final day.

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Guest Speakers

• Rick Lonn, AGL
• Cara Dolly, Ameren
• Bret Factora, Yankee Gas
• Doug Lapp, Enbridge
• Ron Gray, Williams Gas Transco
• Tim Mason, CenterPoint Energy
• Roger Cox, Arkansas UPS
• Dan Vetter, GTI
• Casey Pelton, Metrotech

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Primary Discussion Themes for DP

• Engaging and educating all excavators in the
  Damage Prevention process
• 2. One Call Center issues (how to manage abuse
  and mis-use)
• 3. Enforcement of One Call and Damage Prevention
  laws at state level)
• 4. Importance of having consistent and meaningful
  excavation damage data and performance measures
• 5. How to effectively manage your locating
  workforce
• 6. Developing an effective damage claims program
• 7. Maintaining accurate maps records
• 8. How Distribution Integrity Mgt. regulation may
  influence changes within companys DP program
• 9. The role of CGA and its Best Practices
• 10. Special challenges posed by sewer laterals
  and protecting gas facilities from directional
  drilling activity

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Primary Discussion Themes for ML

• QA/QC programs to ensure accurate and timely
  locates
• 2. How to manage the fluctuating work load of
  locate tickets if you use company employees to
  locate
• 3. Selecting a quality contractor locator
• 4. Performance measures (for both individual and
  company-wide performance for productivity and
  accuracy)
• 5. Difficult to locate situations (e.g. - Plastic
  pipe without tracer wire, areas with high levels
  of interference)
• 6. Developing criteria for revoking a locators
  OQ certification if mis-locates occur, resulting
  in damage
• 7. Challenges posed by large projects
• 8. Developing criteria for office-clearing
  tickets / reducing over-notification from One
  Call center
• 9. Procedures for effective damage investigation
• 10. Finding and retaining good locators!

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Summary

• Positive evaluations received from participants
• Very high level of enthusiasm and passion on this
  subject
• More time may be needed for breakout group
  discussions
• Time to network and exchange ideas and practices
  during breaks and lunch is important (meeting
  location helps)
• Interest in having additional meetings on Damage
  Prevention (perhaps annual around February)
• Notes sent out by AGA within 2 weeks of meeting
  conclusion