UKOPA Work Groups Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference Index
FAULT DATA MANAGEMENT GROUP
EMERGENCY PLANNING WORK GROUP
RISK ASSESSMENT WORK GROUP
INFRINGEMENT WORK GROUP
PROCESS SAFETY WORK GROUP
FAULT DATA MANAGEMENT GROUP (FDMG)
Aim
The UKOPA Fault Database Management Group will collect data, develop, maintain and periodically report on pipeline faults and damage of the notified major accident hazard pipeline population in the UK. The primary purpose is for the development of pipeline failure probabilities in the UK.
Objectives
i. To develop a database of the population of damage, faults and failures for notified major accident hazard pipelines including preparation of a standard input format and reporting.
ii. To collect pipeline damage and fault data and issue/publish a formal report every 2 years on pipeline failure data. A summary will be issued internally to the FDMG group annually
iii. To publish pipeline failure data in the public domain and to promote the use of this UK pipeline fault and failure data in design and risk assessments for UK pipelines.
iv. To develop and promote the use of pipeline probabilistic methods of modelling utilising UK fault data when assessing risks and design for UK pipelines.
v. To review the extension of the database to encompass other UK pipelines, including both additional MAHP lines and other products.
vi. To share the best practice for the recording and documenting of pipeline information.
Organisation
The Working Group comprises of representatives of the UKOPA membership reporting to the main UKOPA Committee. Each Company with a MAHP pipeline will have a representative as a minimum.
i. Meetings
Meetings of the Work Group will be held as agreed by the membership in order to deal with the current developments and workload.
ii. Membership
Essar Oil UK
Shell
BP
Ineos
SABIC Europe
National Grid
Scotia Gas Networks
Wales and West utilities
Northern Gas Networks
E.on
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Deliverables
Collect pipeline fault and failure data annually and publish pipeline failure data biannually.
Aim
The aim of the UKOPA Emergency Planning Work Group (EPWG) is provide information and expert opinion in a consistent manner on pipeline emergency planning and response issues on behalf of UKOPA in relation to safety, security of supply and environmental incidents.
Objectives
The objectives of the EPWG are: -
i. To share knowledge and best practice on emergency planning for safety and environmental incidents between UKOPA members.
ii. To collate, review and publish relevant information and learning from UKOPA members relating to emergency preparedness, emergency procedures and testing of pipeline emergency plans, and encourage joint participation in pipeline emergency plan tests.
iii. To provide feedback to the HSE in relation to their consideration of emergency planning testing and charging requirements under major hazard legislation.
iv. Develop a template for pipeline emergency response testing for pipelines which aligns with current proposals for multiagency communication and response strategies required for the Civil Contingencies Act.
v. To review and advise on updates and amendments to training and competency requirements for pipeline emergency planning and response, including the continued direction and management of the UKOPA PERO courses.
vi. Develop and produce practical information relating to the emergency response and management of security of supply associated with pipeline incidents for use by Local Authorities, emergency services and other relevant parties, review and update this information as appropriate.
vii. To develop practical emergency response principles for environmental incidents resulting from pipeline failures (to include strategy for response and impact assessment of liquid spills). Input to the Environment Agency and Fire and Rescue Service partnership for response to environmental pollution incidents on behalf of UKOPA, and cascade any relevant information from this group to UKOPA.
Organisation
The Working Group reports to the main UKOPA Committee.
i. Meetings
Meetings will be held as required to progress the approved work programme and priorities as defined in the UKOPA Strategy.
ii. Membership
The membership is drawn from interested UKOPA members together with other relevant advisers / parties agreed by UKOPA.
Current members are:-
Northern Gas Networks
National Grid
SABIC Europe
Scotia Gas Networks
Essar Oil (UK)
Total UK
Esso
Deliverables
A record of the key deliverables of the Group is recorded and maintained within the UKOPA Strategy Document. Progress against these deliverables is reported to UKOPA members at the main UKOPA meeting.
Aim
The Risk Assessment Work Group will: -
i. Act of behalf of UKOPA Members as the expert body on pipeline risk assessment issues.
ii. Support, on behalf of member companies, the development and acceptance of appropriate pipeline risk assessment methodologies.
iii. Provide the specialist / expert point of contact for UKOPA internal and external communications on pipeline risk assessment issues.
iv. Provide a formal UKOPA interface with HSE for discussions and development of pipeline risk assessment methodology, definition of risk criteria, land use planning, design codes related to risk assessment and pipeline routing.
v. Provide a formal UKOPA interface with HSE (and EA) for amendments to pipeline safety regulations with regard to risk assessment processes.
Objectives
i. Establish, maintain and develop liaison with HSE
ii. Develop technical papers and case studies for HSE consideration and comment, in order to ensure a rational and logical approach by the Industry and Regulatory Authorities towards pipeline risk assessment and the assessment of individual and societal risk.
iii. Develop, review and update the Industry view on application of risk assessment and risk criteria for land use planning, design codes (IGEM/TD/1, IGEM/TD/2, BS8010, ISO) and pipeline routing.
iv. Review and update methodologies for the risk assessment of pipelines transporting hazardous fluids.
v. Review proposals made by the HSE (and EA) for future changes to pipeline safety legislation with regard to type of hazardous materials and risk assessment processes.
vi. Share across member companies pipeline risk assessment approaches and assumptions and recommend a consistent approach to UKOPA members.
vii. Specific areas of interest to include failure frequency data, release rates and failure mechanisms, dispersion, immediate and ultimate consequences and mitigation aspects.
viii. Develop an Industry view of acceptable risk criteria for the assessment of hazardous pipelines.
ix. Proactively develop and progress UKOPA input to pipeline risk publications, conferences and seminars.
Organisation
The Working Group reports to the UKOPA membership.
i. Meetings
Meetings are arranged as required to progress current workload.
ii. Membership
The RAWG membership is drawn from interested UKOPA members together with other relevant advisers / parties agreed by UKOPA.
Current UKOPA members are: -
National Grid
Essar Oil UK
BPA
Northern Gas Networks
BP
GreyStar
Scotia Gas Networks
Wales and the West Utilities
Ineos
OPA
Swiss Gas
The current advisers are: -
Rod McConnell – Independent Consultant
Jane Haswell – Pipeline Integrity Engineers (PIE) Ltd
Mike Acton – GLND.
Deliverables
A record of the key deliverables of the Group is recorded and maintained within the UKOPA Strategy Document. Progress against these deliverables is reported to UKOPA members at the main UKOPA meeting.
Aims
The UKOPA Infringement Work Group will: -
i. Manage the operation and development of the UKOPA Infringement Database, ensuring that its results are proactively used by industry and the HSE to encourage continual improvement in the safety of those working in the vicinity of gas, chemical, oil and refined products pipelines.
ii. Lead UKOPA activities and initiatives to further improve pipeline safety awareness of all parties to minimise uncontrolled or unsafe activities in the vicinity of gas, chemical, oil and refined products pipelines.
iii. Share best practice in plant protection and learning from incidents.
Objectives
i. To manage a database of 3rd Party Pipeline Infringement data collected by UKOPA member companies.
ii. To identify critical information and trends which can help direct the industry’s approach concerning initiatives to improve the safety management and control when works or other activities are carried out near gas, chemical, oil and refined products pipelines.
iii. To continue the development of the database, its operation and its outputs in pursuit of the Work Group aims.
iv. To publish an annual report based on the 3rd Party Pipeline Infringement data collected and achievements of the Working Group to promote awareness and improved excavation safety across the UK.
v. To proactively promote awareness of excavation safety requirements associated with gas, oil and petroleum pipelines using a range of UKOPA and industry inspired media and publicity.
vi. To work collaboratively with the Health & Safety Executive to share data, experience and best practice within the pipeline industry.
Organisation
The Work Group comprises representatives of the HSE and UKOPA membership reporting to the main UKOPA Committee. Representatives are drawn from each industry sector (gas, chemical, oil and refined products).
i. Meetings
Meetings of the Work Group will be held as agreed by the membership.
ii. Membership November 2011
Wales & West Utilities
Essar Oil UK
BP
National Grid (UKD)
National Grid (UKT)
SABIC Europe
BPA
Esso
Northern Gas Networks
Scotia Gas Networks
Total UK
Health and Safety Executive
Deliverables
A record of the key deliverables of the Group is recorded and maintained within the UKOPA Strategy Document. Progress against these deliverables is reported to UKOPA members at the main UKOPA meeting.
Aim
The aim of the Process Safety Work Group is to provide information and expert opinion, direction and guidance on Process Safety to the UKOPA members and Industry Stakeholders, and on behalf of UKOPA.
Objectives
The objectives of the Process Safety Work Group are: -
i. To develop process safety KPI model for pipeline operators, to share performance results and publish reports to external stakeholders.
ii. To develop, maintain, review and update the UKOPA process safety benchmarking questionnaire, PSAT.
iii. Analyse and publish the PSAT benchmarking results submitted by UKOPA members on a bi-annual basis.
iv. To share knowledge and best practice on process safety between UKOPA members.
v. To review, interpret and question the Legislator’s proposals for process safety leadership.
vi. To influence the scope of process safety leadership initiatives being developed by the HSE.
vii. To develop and publish practical pipeline operator KPIs for pipeline safety management which are aligned with legislation, pipeline codes and best practice.
Organisation
The Working Group reports to the main UKOPA Committee.
i. Meetings
Meetings will be held as required to progress the approved work programme and priorities.
ii. Membership
The membership is drawn from interested UKOPA members together with other relevant advisers/parties agreed by UKOPA. Current members are: -
National Grid
E.on
GreyStar
Shell UK
Secretarial support from UKOPA is provided by J Haswell, PIE Ltd.
ii)
Deliverables
A record of the key deliverables of the Group is recorded and maintained within the UKOPA Strategy Document. Progress against these deliverables is reported to UKOPA members at the main UKOPA meeting. Additionally a list of key issues that are being discussed and progressed with the HSE is maintained by the group and reviewed and updated at RAWG meetings.
