New API Standard Provides Framework For Pipeline Facility Safety Management Program

Washington – The American Petroleum Institute (API) today announced the publication of a first-edition standard providing a framework for pipeline operators to develop a comprehensive pipeline facility integrity management program to strengthen efficiencies, prevent incidents and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Pipeline facilities are a critical component of American infrastructure, providing a safe, reliable and efficient manner to deliver much-needed energy to consumers,” API’s senior vice president for Global Industry Services Anchal Liddar said. “This standard provides a means for operators to build a resilient facility integrity management program which is vital to ensure enhanced safety of industry workers, our communities and the environment.”

Recommended Practice (RP) 1188, Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Facilities Integrity Management, 1st edition, developed under API’s American National Standards Institute accredited program, outlines a plan-do-check-act cycle to carry out continuous assessment and improvement for a pipeline facility integrity program. This approach is considered “Best in Class” and is used to drive continuous operational improvement as in other API standards such as API RP 1173, Pipeline Safety Management Systems. This standard covers the integrity management of all pressure containing components directly used in the transport or storage of hazardous liquids within a liquids pipeline facility and is applicable to pipeline operators and integrity management inspectors.

API will host a virtual Pipeline Facilities Integrity Workshop on January 19, 2022, which will include how RP 1188 can be applied to improve pipeline operators’ facility integrity programs. More information about RP 1188 and the corresponding workshop can be found at https://events.api.org/2021-api-virtual-pipeline-facilities-integrity-workshop/.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our nearly 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

To learn more about API and the value of oil and natural gas, please visit API.org.