1. MAOP Verification
Best Practices
Florida Energy Pipeline Association – July 18, 2012
Eric Kirkpatrick
Director – Pipeline Services
Structural Integrity Associates, Inc.
www.STRUCTINT.com
877-4SI-POWER

2. Webinar Objectives
• Brief Overview of PHMSA Guidance
• Best Practices learned from MAOP projects
• Q&A (Please hold questions until the end)
Best Practices of an MAOP Verification Program- SLIDE 2

3. About
• Founded 1983
• Headquartered in San Jose with offices in Denver, Salt Lake City,
Charlotte
• 230 employees
• Specialists in Pipeline Integrity Management
• MAOP Verification
• Software and Data Acquisition Systems
• Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) and field services
Best Practices of an MAOP Verification Program- SLIDE 3

4. About
• Founded 1998
• Offices in Chico and Walnut Creek Ca.
• 140 employees and growing
• Certified woman owned business by the California PUC
• Senior staff of previous utility leaders in Gas Transmission and Distribution
• Recognized with 2011 Small Business of the Year Award by PG&E
• Proven performance in MAOP Verification, Hydrostatic Test Engineering,
Pipeline Engineering, Quality Assurance and Compliance Auditing.
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5. MAOP Verification
PHMSA Guidance
April 22, 1998 - PHMSA 1998 Guidance Document –
Determination of Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure in
Natural Gas Pipelines
 September 9, 2010 – San Bruno Pipeline Rupture
January 10, 2011 - PHMSA Advisory Bulletin (ADB-11-01) -
Establishing Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure Using
Record Evidence (source of “Traceable, Verifiable and
Complete” and “ensure company records accurately reflect
the pipelines physical and operational characteristics”)
Best Practices of an MAOP Verification Program- SLIDE 5

6. MAOP Verification
PHMSA Guidance
May 7, 2012 - PHMSA Advisory Bulletin (ADB-12-06) –
Verification of Records Establishing MAOP and MOP
Traceable = clearly linked to original information
Verifiable = confirmed by other complementary, but
separate, documentation.
Complete = finalized as evidenced by signature, date or
other appropriate marking
Operators to submit data via the 2013 Annual Report
PHMSA intends to act on NTSB recommendation to eliminate
the Grandfather Clause
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7. Start with a Specific Plan
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8. Best Practices of an MAOP Verification Program- SLIDE 8

9. MAOP Project - SCOPE Options
Scope of Effort Benefit Concerns
Only Class 3 and Class 4 Limited Scope may result Ongoing evaluation
locations and Class 1 and in faster completion of required for class location
Class 2 high consequence evaluation changes and new HCAs.
areas.
All Transmission No ongoing evaluation of Completion may take
class locations and new longer.
HCAs required. More
verified knowledge of
system.
New Construction Evaluate whether existing processes are adequate.
Eliminate future MAOP verification re-work!!!!
Non-MAOP data Efficiency, only 1 review of May impact schedule
records
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11. MAOP Criteria
• Design Criteria – Pipe
• Design Criteria – Standard Fittings (e.g. elbows, tees)
• Design Criteria – valves, flanges, fittings
• Pressure Test – constructed prior to November 1970
• Pressure Test – constructed after November 1970
• Historic Operating Pressure – 5 yrs. preceding July 1, 1970
• Maximum Safe Pressure
• Subpart K Uprates
• §192.611 provisions for change in class location and
confirmation of MAOP
• State Specific Requirements??????
Best Practices of an MAOP Verification Program- SLIDE 11

12. PHMSA 1998 Guidance Document –
Determination of Maximum Allowable Operating
Pressure in Natural Gas Pipelines
Part 192.619(a)(1) Design Pressure: Lowest design pressure
Part 192.621(a)(1) for any of the following system elements
Pipe (including service lines)
Valves
Flanges
Fittings
Mechanical Couplings
Leak Clamps
Instruments
Odorizers
Overpressure protection devices
Upstream Regulator(s)-Outlet
Pressure Rating
Downstream Regulators-Inlet
Other (list)
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14. Illustration of Key Data required to support MAOP
• Current Class Location • Component nominal outside
• Current Pipeline MAOP diameter
• • Component ASA/ASME/ANSI
Date of Operation
Rating
• Converted under 192.14? • Component Max Working
• Pipe Grade Pressure
• Pipe Nominal Outside • Road crossing or encroachment
Diameter with no casing?
• Pipe Wall Thickness • Railroad crossing or
• encroachment with no casing?
Pipe Longitudinal Joint Type
• Supported by bridge?
• Component Type (e.g. Valve, • Compressor Station, Regulating
Flange, Elbow) Station, or Metering Station?
• Component Grade
• Component wall thickness
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15. Illustration of Key Data required to support MAOP
• Minimum Actual Test Pressure • Recording Chart or Record of
• Pressure Test Date Pressure Readings?
• Operator Name at • Highest Elevation
Construction • Lowest Elevation
• Name of Operator's employee • Recorder Elevation
responsible for making • Leaks and Failures &
pressure test Disposition noted
• Name of any Test Company • Date that Historic Operating
used Pressure was recorded
• Test Medium Used • Historic Operating Pressure
• Test Duration • Uprate Test Date
• Uprate Test Pressure
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17. What Records are Applicable?
Where are they?
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18. Inventory of Target Data by Record Type
Illustrative example only
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19. Identification of Valid and “Verified” Record Sources?
Best Source – Consider Verified if confirmed by other
1
complementary record.
Illustrative example Acceptable Source – Consider Verified if confirmed by
only 2 other complementary record. May be used as a
complementary record.
May only be used as a complementary record.
3
4 May not be used Practices of an MAOP Verification Program- SLIDE 19
Best

20. Completeness?
Signature?
Date?
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21. Completeness Grading
Document Quality – Illustrative Example: Test Pressure Doc
(
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23. Scanning Records
• ADB-12-06 requires traceable records linked to original info
• The benefit of scanning applicable records is to avoid future loss
and establish easier traceability.
• Scanned Images should reside on a server that is backed up for
data loss prevention and security.
• Establish protocols for moving, scanning and returning records;
this is yet another opportunity to loose key records!
• Avoid confusion, only scan the targeted records you need.
• Consider pre-sorting records
Best Practices of an MAOP Verification Program- SLIDE 23

24. Scanning Records
• Establish metadata system to capture key aspects of every image
(e.g. Pipeline #, Project Number, Document Type, Date, Unique
ID #, etc.)
• Establish rules for color vs. black and white, two-sided originals,
scan resolution, format type, continuity of stapled documents,
etc.
• Index each image in a logical manner; consider linking data to the
associated image in some manner.
• Consider following same protocol for new construction records.
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26. Data Capture
Considerations include:
•Loss Prevention
•Integration into other uses
•Ongoing access or one-time project?
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27. Example 1
Data from records identified that support
pipeline features on transmission plat or
other references and entered into MS Excel
and MAOP calculated.
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28. Example 2
Data from
records entered
into MS Access. Data Management and
MAOP Calculation in
MS Access.
Final Verified Data
resides in GIS
Best Practices of an MAOP Verification Program- SLIDE 28

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30. Application of Conservative Defaults?
Illustrative example
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32. RECORD EVALUATION
 Data Conflicts (same data element
from different records)
 Evaluate Against Records
Acceptance Criteria
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33. Quality Control Considerations
• 100% QC until confidence in process is
established
• Records not Meeting Protocols Go through
Different Process
– Operating Experience, Subject Knowledge
– Engineers
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35. MAOP CALCULATION & VERIFICATION
• Handwritten, Spreadsheet,
Database, linked to GIS??
• Detail Process Flow
• Validation & Verification of
spreadsheets or software – Test
Cases
Best Practices of an MAOP Verification Program- SLIDE 35

36. Start with a Specific Plan
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37. How to Contact Us
SI: ekirkpatrick@structint.com
GTS: www.gtsinc.us/contact-us/contact-us-1/
Best Practices of an MAOP Verification Program- SLIDE 37