Title: Performance Reporting
1Performance Reporting Presentation at the
Pipeline Safety Trusts Restoring Trust in
Pipeline Safety Conference November 3,
2006 Lois N. Epstein, P.E. Senior Engineer
2Cook Inlet Watershed Background
- Includes Anchorage
- 39,000 sq. miles land (92 public) 8,000 sq.
miles marine size of Pennsylvania - 16 offshore platforms, numerous wells onshore
oil/gas fields gt 1000 miles of oil and gas
pipelines approximately 300 miles are oil
pipelines tankers, LNG export plant, refinery,
tank farms, fertilizer plant - 7 national parks and wildlife refuges 4 state
parks - Subsistence users
- Beluga whales (depleted species), salmon, bears
3Performance Reporting Why is it Valuable?
- Ensures accountability
- What gets measured, gets done
- Provides an incentive for continuous improvement
(trends are important) and allows for comparative
analyses among operators - Increases public confidence
- The lack of pipeline operating permits means
there are few opportunities for public dialogue
4Examples of Performance Measures
- Number of releases per 1,000 pipeline miles
- Amount released per 1,000 pipeline miles
- Average or median release size
- Injuries or fatalities per 1,000 pipeline miles
- of releases from a particular cause, e.g.,
corrosion (external or internal)
5Cook Inlet Oil Pipeline Release Causes
Release Frequency 66/60 months 1.1 x/ month 9/12 months 0.75 x/ month 12/24 months 0.5 x/ month
Onshore / Offshore 88 / 12 100 / 0 83 / 17
Cause Corrosion Unknown/unreported Human error/maintenance-related Pipeline infrastructure failure Abandoned pipeline release Frozen pipeline Third-party damage 27 26 20 14 8 5 2 0 33 22 22 11 22 0 8 0 8 42 25 17 0
6BPs March Spill in Alaska What Can WeLearn
from BPs Performance Report to PHMSA?
Over 200,000 gallons spilled biggest spill ever
on Alaskas North Slope (March 2006)
7BPs March Spill in Alaska What Can WeLearn
from BPs Performance Report to PHMSA?
- POSITIVES
- Annual report provides basic pipeline
information aggregate mileage, decade(s)
installed, operating pressure(s), volume
transported - Provides general integrity inspection
information, e.g., mileage tested, of
anomalies, of repairs
- NEGATIVES
- Annual report does not distinguish information by
state or by regulated and unregulated pipeline
mileage - Does not identify inspection, repair, etc. data
by pipeline segment - No information on mileage that could affect
High Consequence Areas - Operators criteria for performing repairs are
not stated
8Recommendations for Improved Performance Reporting
- Need release and mileage data at a minimum
for currently unregulated lines - Operators should report pipeline data by state
and segment - The public needs High Consequence Area maps and
data on pipeline mileage that could affect HCAs - Need public reporting of operators criteria for
repairs these decisions need to be consistent