Pipeliners Podcast

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomes new guest Stephen Sponseller from PTC to discuss the important topic of SCADA communications software and where the technology is going. In this episode, you will learn about edge computing and the importance of capturing data for real-time analysis, how the devices used in the field continue to change and improve because of new technology, and the next big change in the next 3-10 years using AI. "I think three years from now, we're going to see this whole thing about edge computing beginning to proliferate, and it's going to change the way people think about how they build up their automation, communications, and control systems. I think the first earthquake is in the very near term."

The Pipeliners Podcast is continuing a series on inline inspection (ILI) with Marc Lamontagne of the Lamontagne Pipeline Assessment Corporation. In this episode, host Russel Treat and Mr. Lamontagne discuss the important roles of geometry and mapping for inline inspection. In this episode, you will learn about the caliper and geometry tools used for inline inspection, why it's important to have accurate maps to track the movement of a pipeline due to changes in the environment, why highly-trained people are critical to process the data produced by these tools, and more. Stay tuned for more episodes in this inline inspection series covering corrosion, cracks, deformation, and the data that is used in inline inspection.

The Pipeliners Podcast is continuing a series on inline inspection (ILI) with Marc Lamontagne of the Lamontagne Pipeline Assessment Corporation. In this episode, host Russel Treat and Mr. Lamontagne discuss the use of ultrasonics for inline inspection. In this episode, you will learn about the use of ultrasonic tools to capture information about corrosion and cracking, the advantages of using ultrasonic compared to MFL for inline inspection, the technology available for ultrasonic ILI, and more. Stay tuned for more episodes in this inline inspection series covering corrosion, cracks, deformation, and the data that is used in inline inspection.

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat welcomes back measurement expert Ardis Bartle to discuss the Bureau of Land Management Onshore Order, which governs measurement for producing properties on the land managed or owned by the BLM a/k/a the U.S. government. Why should pipeliners care about the new BLM onshore order? Listen to this important episode to understand the implications for the pipeline industry, the latest rules in-play, and how politics influenced the new BLM order.

In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat welcomes back Giancarlo Milano of Atmos International to discuss the critical topic of simulators for pipeline training. The discussion focuses on three types of trainers typically used to support pipeline operations, the methods used to build up competency and measure the competency of a controller or operator, the importance of being able to interact with the SCADA and HMI, and more valuable training-related topics.

Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat flies solo in this episode with a recap of the important information and developments from the 2018 AGA Operations Conference held in Washington, D.C. In this episode, you will learn about the primary conversations during the conference including cybersecurity and its impact on gas control, the latest on NTSB's involvement in pipeline incident investigations, updates to the PHMSA regulatory rulemaking process, advanced pipeline safety requirements at the state level, and training topics for the workforce of the future. Russel Treat also reacts to PHMSA administrator Skip Elliott's recent testimony and hearing before the U.S. Congress and the subsequent rules that will be implemented in 2019 and 2020. This is a very informative episode about the state of the pipeline industry at the mid-way point of 2018.

Russel Treat is pleased to welcome back measurement advocate and industry consultant Ardis Bartle to the Pipeliners Podcast to discuss the latest trends in measurement training. The episode is based on the whitepaper on trends in training that Ardis presented at the AGA Operations Conference in June. Ardis discusses her research on where measurement technicians are learning their trade, why failures happen in the field, the importance of creating clarity about measurement in the industry, and how accurate measurement can achieve cost savings and compliance. Download this episode to get unique insight from Ardis on the measurement aspect of pipeline operations to increase your knowledge and awareness of the latest trends.

The Pipeliners Podcast is kicking off a new series on inline inspection (ILI) with Marc Lamontagne of the Lamontagne Pipeline Assessment Corporation. Host Russel Treat and Mr. Lamontagne begin the series discussing magnetic flux leakage (MFL) technology. In this episode, you will learn about the value of MFL as the workhorse of inline inspection, how MFL can help discover metal loss, and the limitations of this technology. Stay tuned for more episodes in this inline inspection series covering corrosion, cracks, deformation, and the data that is used in inline inspection.

The Pipeliners Podcast is excited to deliver a series of episodes with Giancarlo Milano of Atmos International. In this fifth and final episode of the series on leak detection, Russel Treat and Giancarlo reverse roles with Giancarlo interviewing Russel about leak alarm response. In this episode, you will learn about the technological side of setting up leak alarms in the SCADA system, the importance of training controllers to respond to alarms, how software can reduce false alarms, and other important topics driving toward the ultimate goal of helping controllers achieve situational awareness. To listen to the full series of episodes on leak detection with Russel Treat and Giancarlo Milano, visit this page for all of Giancarlo's appearances on the Pipeliners Podcast.

The Pipeliners Podcast is excited to deliver a series of episodes with Giancarlo Milano of Atmos International. In this fourth episode of the series on leak detection, Russel Treat and Giancarlo discuss rupture detection. In this episode, you will learn what type of leak classifies as a rupture, the importance of your systems and measurements to provide visibility and alarming if a leak reaches the level of a rupture, how to properly address a rupture in a complex system, and other key topics related to pipeline ruptures. In the next episode of the series, Russel and Giancarlo will complete this series on leak detection by discussing leak alarm response and training.