Episodes
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat speaks with Joshua Ott of Crazeweld about safely purging pipelines. Joshua shares his journey to developing innovative tools for gas purging, including his air mover device, and discusses the challenges and best practices for safely handling gas purging during pipeline operations. The conversation offers insights into standardizing tools and practices across the industry to improve safety and efficiency in these critical...
Published 10/15/24
Published 10/15/24
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features Mark Piazza from API and Andy Duncan from Enbridge discussing the new API Recommended Practice 1187, focused on managing landslide hazards for pipeline integrity. The conversation covers the development of this standard, its key elements, and the industry collaboration that went into creating it, while also highlighting the practical, adaptable approach operators can take to mitigate geotechnical risks effectively. Visit...
Published 10/08/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat dives into key considerations for alarm management in pipeline operations, drawing on his years of personal experience. The episode covers the challenges of defining alarm severity, rationalizing alarms, and navigating the technical complexities of SCADA systems. Additionally, the episode highlights best practices for ensuring alarms are meaningful, prioritizing critical alarms, and optimizing SCADA for effective alarm management. ...
Published 10/01/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Chris Carville of SCS Technologies joins to talk about approaches to CO2 measurement.  Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 
Published 09/24/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by returning guest Keith Coyle of Babst Calland. The episode includes a regulatory update and discussions on the recent GPA and INGAA cases.  Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 
Published 09/17/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Andre Scholtz from Solarcraft returns to discuss powering remote sites where solar energy isn't viable. The conversation explores alternatives like generators, fuel cells, and wind turbines, diving into the challenges of selecting and maintaining appropriate power sources for remote operations. The episode highlights key considerations around equipment maintenance, fuel sources, and energy storage, offering practical insights for optimizing...
Published 09/10/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Andre Scholtz from Solarcraft returns to discuss hybrid solutions for remote power systems, particularly in challenging environments. The conversation covers the fundamentals of hybrid power, the various energy sources that can be combined, and the critical considerations for designing reliable systems. The discussion emphasizes the importance of thoughtful design to ensure cost-effectiveness and operational reliability, especially in remote or...
Published 09/03/24
In this episode, Russel and Andre discuss the challenges and solutions related to powering remote actuated valves in the context of new U.S. regulations. The conversation highlights key considerations for implementing electric valve actuators, particularly in remote locations, and explores the complexities of using solar power, battery banks, and pneumatic systems to meet regulatory requirements. Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes...
Published 08/27/24
In this episode, Russel and Andre discuss the critical factors in optimizing battery life for remote and field applications. They explore the importance of selecting the right battery chemistry, such as lead-acid versus lithium, based on the specific application needs.  The conversation covers how environmental conditions like temperature, discharge depth, and the configuration of batteries (series vs. parallel) can significantly impact battery longevity. Andre emphasizes the importance of...
Published 08/20/24
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast is a rebroadcast of Russel Treat's appearance on a recent episode of Coffee with Jim and James featuring their conversation around leak detection and repair (LDAR) in the pipeline industry. They explore the complexities of detecting and managing leaks of various sizes, the challenges operators face under new regulations, and the importance of effective technology and workflow solutions. The conversation also touches on the broader industry concerns,...
Published 08/13/24
This week’s Pipeliners Podcast episode features Sarah Magruder Lyle going over 8/11 Day and its importance. Sarah discusses different tools and resources available such as DIRT and DPAC to aid in proper digging practices. Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 
Published 08/06/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Randall Stremmel, President of Pittsburgh Mineral & Environmental Technology (PMET), and Andri Orphanides from the American Petroleum Institute (API) to discuss the Energy4Veterans program.  They explore the program's inception, its efforts to engage with veterans, and how it helps them transition into the oil and gas industry by leveraging their military skills. The conversation highlights the importance of...
Published 07/30/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat speaks with Jack Willingham, the Emergency Management Director of Yazoo County, Mississippi, about the critical intersection of first responders and pipeline operations. They discuss Jack's experience with the Satartia CO2 pipeline rupture and the significant gap between first responders' preparedness and pipeline operators' communication. Jack emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement and comprehensive training to enhance...
Published 07/23/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat interviews Vince Murchison of the Murchison Law Firm to discuss the significant role of attorneys in pipeline safety. Vince shares his career journey, insights into pipeline legal work, and the complexities of regulatory compliance and enforcement processes in the pipeline industry. The conversation also touches on stakeholder engagement, the adjudication process, and the importance of clear, persuasive communication in legal and...
Published 07/16/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat welcomes back Andre Scholtz from Solarcraft to discuss designing reliable uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) for field applications. They delve into the differences between UPS systems and solar power supplies, the importance of understanding load requirements, and the various types of UPS systems and their applications. Russel and Andre emphasize the importance of understanding the specific requirements and environmental conditions...
Published 07/09/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat speaks with Andre Scholtz, Technical Director at Solarcraft, about designing reliable solar power systems. They discuss key considerations such as understanding load requirements, environmental impacts on solar panel efficiency, and common mistakes in system design and maintenance. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of accurate load calculation and regular monitoring, especially of battery health, to ensure the...
Published 07/02/24
In this week's episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, we're featuring host Russel Treat's guest appearance on a recent episode of the "Pipeline Things Podcast," with hosts Rhett Dotson and Christopher De Leon. The conversation explores the intricate relationship between control room operations and integrity management in pipeline systems.  The episode covers the historical evolution and current regulations impacting control rooms, such as the 2007 Control Room Management Rule and the recent...
Published 06/25/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat interviews Shelby Mounts, Executive Director at NextOp Veterans. They discuss Shelby's diverse military and industry background, as well as the mission and operations of NextOp, which focuses on helping enlisted veterans transition to civilian careers. The conversation covers the specific needs of veterans, the organization's success in job placements, and how industry partners can get involved in supporting veteran employment. ...
Published 06/18/24
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast commemorates the 25th anniversary of the tragic Olympic Pipeline rupture in Bellingham, Washington, which resulted in a catastrophic explosion and the loss of three young lives. Larry Shelton shares his insights from the incident and the conversation serves as a reminder of the responsibilities of those in the pipeline industry. On the 20-year anniversary of the Bellingham Incident in Bellingham, Washington, Pipeliners Podcast host Russel Treat welcomed...
Published 06/11/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat speaks with Martin van Onna from Strohm about the development and advantages of composite pipes in the pipeline industry. Martin explains the composition, manufacturing process, and applications of thermoplastic composite pipes, emphasizing their benefits over traditional steel pipes, such as flexibility, strength, and resistance to corrosion. They also discuss the economic considerations, lifespan, and inspection protocols...
Published 06/04/24
In this episode, host Russel Treat captures conversations with industry experts during the 2024 API Pipeline Conference in Salt Lake City. The topics discussed include insights into pipeline safety, stakeholder engagement, alarm management, and the importance of community and first responder collaboration.  This episode provides a snapshot of current trends and challenges in the pipeline industry featured during the Pipeline and Cybernetics conference. Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a...
Published 05/28/24
In this week's episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Alan Redding from Consumers Energy and Laura Ade from South Jersey Gas about the recent Gas Control Committee Meetings held during the 2024 AGA Operations Conference.  Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 
Published 05/21/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is live from the 2024 API Pipeline Conference & Exhibit with David Murk, Senior Director of Pipelines, Midstream, for the American Petroleum Institute (API), to talk about the conference and what topics are covered. Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions. 
Published 05/14/24
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Andrea Grover from Enbridge and Carl Weimer from the Pipeline Safety Trust discuss the newly established API 1185 standard on stakeholder engagement. The conversation covers the development process of the standard, its key components, and its significance in improving communication between pipeline operators and stakeholders throughout the pipeline lifecycle. During the episode, the discussion emphasizes the importance of building relationships,...
Published 05/07/24