The Gas Mega Rule became effective on July 1, 2020. Notable components of the Mega Rule are: updated laws on non-High Consequence Area piping, MAOP Reconfirmation, and Materials Verification. The effort required on the part of transmission pipeline operators to meet these requirements is sizable. Indeed, operators began planning for the Mega Rule several years ago and the execution/duration of those plans stretches out to 2035.
SSP Innovations has a rich history of partnering with utilities and leveraging their expertise to complete tasks from systems implementation, to work order posting, and now MAOP reconfirmation and materials verification.
Last year, SSP’s Data Team began work on a project with a transmission pipeline operator using the following process:
- Scanning all MAOP relevant source documents
- Capturing the metadata for each document
- Verifying/updating MAOP attributes using the best source record available for each gas facility across the various transmission systems
- Linking the best available source document to the attribute in GIS
Scanning Documents
The scanning task presented SSP personnel with the opportunity to travel to the client’s multiple service stations and work with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on locating MAOP documents and associating them with their corresponding pipeline routes in GIS. This step in the process afforded SSP the unique opportunity to learn valuable information from the SMEs such as how to read material test reports (MTRs) from the pipe mill and learning various construction procedures for work that is performed on their transmission pipelines. One challenge SSP encountered during this phase of the process was finding and scanning the best source record available because on occasion there were multiple copies of the same document and sometimes there were copies of copies in the same file. Great care was given to identify which of the duplicates was stamped As-Built, or was the most current, or contained important information from the inspector
CAPTURING METADATA
Locating physical documents can be arduous. Therefore, the client requested that SSP collect metadata on all scanned documents. The information collected included not only document type, order numbers, street name, address, etc., but also the document’s physical location information such as the service station, document room, and cabinet/drawer location. Additionally, when the documents were linked to attributes in GIS, the Facility IDs associated with the document were captured in the metadata so searches could be run using the Facility ID to find all documents related to that facility.
VALIDATING ATTRIBUTES
Validating a pipeline’s MAOP attributes required a methodical and detailed approach. Editors performing the task needed strong analytical skills and a solid understanding of how to read As-Built stationing, pressure test reports, etc. For example, one pipeline route had a pressure test report for the entire line; however, methodical searches in the metadata database turned up an additional pressure test report that was performed separately on the valve assembly and piping installed at the east tie-in. Using the beginning and ending location information on both pressure test reports, SSP was able to update the transmission main’s pressure test attributes with the most accurate information available and link all pertinent documents. Some of the challenges SSP faced during this step include encountering values that weren’t valid options in a field’s domain, e.g., manufacturer name and coating type, and reconciling conflicting data.
One example of a challenging scenario SSP worked through involved a mainline valve that was installed with the original main in 1967. The valve assembly and piping locations were accurate per the 1967 As-Built, and SSP validated/updated the MAOP attributes for all the gas facilities in the area and continued on. About a mile down the line, SSP found documents for a new valve installation that occurred in the ‘90s; however, additional documents were found detailing new pipe installed at the valve’s original location. These related pieces of information caused SSP editors to closely analyze the documents and construction timelines for both areas in question. After much scrutiny, SSP found that the original valve was cut out and moved to the new location in the ‘90s. SSP then moved the 1967 valve assembly and piping to the new location, mapped the replacement section of pipe at the cut-out, and validated all pipe and fitting attributes based on their vintages.
LINKING DOCUMENTS
The last step in the attribute validation process was linking a source record to the attributes verified. The framework for this step was built before scanning began. SSP worked with the client to create a document matrix hierarchy that listed the document types and MAOP attributes on the X and Y axes respectively. The client then went through each attribute and indicated the document type that was the best source and which documents could be used as an alternate. An additional consideration for linking documents was legibility. Some documents had multiple copies with varying degrees of quality; furthermore, some documents were scanned during some years prior but with older equipment and at a lower resolution than SSP used. Consequently, SSP reviewed all copies of a document and linked the best one. This process was complicated a bit due to the separate service stations having copies of the same As-Builts with differing levels of repair.
In his October 2019 Gas Mega Rule article, Clarke Wiley described the relationships SSP’s pipeline team has with transmission pipeline operators and our knowledge of the work required to meet the new regulations. SSP’s knowledge and experience in this area of work continue to expand, and SSP looks forward to partnering with other operators to help them accomplish their goals.
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