Maximum Operating Pressure Verification Program

Client
Large Canadian Utility

Business Challenge
In the aftermath of a number of significant pipeline incidents over the past few years, U.S. regulators are requiring that gas transmission and distribution companies verify that their pipelines are operating within safe limits. Canadian Utilities initiated high-priority programs to verify that significant pipelines operate within a safe maximum operating pressure. The program was new, so the client needed help with strategy, design, implementation, and transitioning of the program.

Gamais’s Role:
Gamais Inc. leveraged their significant experience of the utility industry and strong background in program management.  Gamais assisted in formulating the strategy for meeting the requirements, designing the program, implementing the program, and transitioning the key capabilities to client’s personnel for sustainment.

Solution

• Developed a comprehensive strategy based on data, business processes, industry direction, and leading practices.
• Developed multi-year, multi-million dollar program plan to achieve leading quartile performance.
• Developed an industry leading rubric for data strength.
• Led a program of 30+ people to verify over 800 km of high stress pipelines.
• Defined and operationalized a sustainment process to ensure that all future documentation meets data strength standard.

Results

• Completed verification of over 800 km of high stress pipeline.
• Identified and fixed problems in the network.
• Identified by American Gas Association’s Peer Review as an “Industry Leading” program.