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UNITED KINGDOM ONSHORE PIPELINE OPERATORS' ASSOCIATION

Terms of Reference

Mission Statement

UKOPA exists to provide the recognised and authoritative view of UK Pipeline Operators on strategic issues relating to safety management, operations and integrity management of onshore hydrocarbon pipelines. It seeks to effectively influence the development and implementation of pipeline related legislation and standards for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders and promote safety and best practice in the pipeline industry.

Aims

The aims of the Association are to represent the interests of Pipeline Operators in:

i) providing a forum for discussion, knowledge sharing and promoting best practice,
ii) coordinating the influencing of new legislation and modifications to existing legislation,
iii) coordinating the influence of new standards and modification to existing standards
iv) developing a comprehensive and consistent view on strategic issues,

for matters of mutual interest relating specifically to the safe operation and maintenance of onshore pipelines in the UK. Such matters include, but are not limited to:

- Land use planning and risk criteria.
- Safe working practices.
- Fitness for purpose and revalidation.
- Safety issues.

Objectives

The Association will where it is agreed by members to be appropriate:

1. Provide Pipeline Operators with a recognised and established pipeline forum for the communication with external organisations including the Health and Safety Executive and others such as Local Planning Authorities, Government Departments and Environmental Agencies, on any issues relating to onshore pipelines.

2. Maintain specific and active liaison with the HSE.
3. Keep members appraised and involved with proposed legislation relating to pipelines.
4. Where appropriate, take a leading role in progressing joint industry initiatives.
5. Actively review developments in new technology, and participate in their introduction, implementation and communication to promote best practice wherever possible.
6. Sharing of learning from pipeline related safety incidents.

Organisation

Membership

Membership is open to pipeline owners and/or operators with responsibility for pipeline engineering strategy and policy. In addition, specific representation from non-pipeline operator organisations (e.g. HSE, PIG) will be invited as appropriate. The Association will consider applications for Membership on an individual basis.

Meetings

Formal meetings of the Association will normally be held twice a year but may be increased with the agreement of Members to deal with specific workloads. Venues for meetings will rotate from company to company as agreed. In addition the Association will arrange meetings of specific technical work groups as required and arrange annually a technical seminar.

Management Council

The Management Council shall comprise of authorised representatives of full members of the association. The business of the Association shall be managed by the Management Council in accordance with Statute and the Articles of Association of UKOPA

Chairmanship

The Chairman of the Management Council shall be the current Chairman of the Association. The Management Council will elect a chairman normally on a rotational basis. The appointment of Chairman elect shall be confirmed at the meeting of the Association prior to which the Chairman takes office. The period of office will normally be a period of twenty-four months.

UKOPA Strategy

The Association will produce a document to provide visibility for both internal and external stakeholders of the intended strategy of UKOPA. The strategy document will also facilitate forward planning within UKOPA by clearly identifying the current objectives of the Association both in the short and medium term (one year and five year time frames). This strategic planning will then inform annual work programmes, leading in turn to the setting of annual spend forecasts and so the level of membership subscription rates.

UKOPA/08/0048

UKOPA Terms of Reference
March 2008