Transportation of Natural Gas
This course is intended for all audiences and introduces the student to the administrative functions associated with the transportation of natural gas. Topics covered include pipeline capacity services, contracts and nominations, confirmation & allocation of gas purchases. As a result of taking this course, the student should learn the following.
- How gas movements are requested and processed
- How gas is measured, quantified and accounted for
- How imbalances are determined and resolved
The Pipeline (Transmission) System
This course is intended for all audiences and introduces the student to the interstate pipeline system which is typically part of the transmission segment of the natural gas industry. Topics covered include natural gas transmission, construction practices and procedures, operations, maintenance and gas storage. As a result of taking this course, the student should learn the following.
- How large pipeline systems are constructed
- What the key challenges are in getting a new pipeline constructed
- How gas is physically moved through the pipeline infrastructure
- How the pipeline systems are operated in a safe and reliable manner
Industry Overview: Local Distribution Company Operations
This course is intended for all audiences and introduces the student to the local distribution company and its different functions. Topics covered include Industry role, the physical system, operations and maintenance. As a result of taking this course, the student should learn the following.
- How local distribution systems are designed and constructed
- How local distribution systems are operated in a safe and reliable manner
- The role of individual departments in providing service to customers
LDC: Sales and Marketing
This course is intended for all audiences and introduces the student to the local distribution company sales and marketing. Topics covered include marketing strategies, different types of customers -residential, commercial, industrial - and new business opportunities. As a result of taking this course, the student should learn the following.
- How local distribution systems are the key interface with the consuming public
- The benefits of Natural Gas compared to other energy sources
- The cost/benefit analysis of expanding service territories and offerings
Regulatory Overview & Associations
This course is intended for all audiences and introduces the student to the ratemaking process natural gas companies follow to set rates charged to customers. Topics covered include how gas companies make money, role of the rate department, regulatory agencies, financial issues and the cost of service and other rate components. As a result of taking this course, the student should learn the following.
- The evolution of industry oversight and regulation
- The current regulatory structure and environment
- Key FERC orders that are the foundation of the current marketplace
- The Ratemaking process to determine appropriate rates charged by utilities (pipelines and LDCs)
Natural Disasters: Are you Prepared?
8/31/2020
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Structured with short presentations on various company approaches to natural disasters with the opportunity for the audience to ask questions of each speaker. This course will review processes, best practices and lessons learned from their response efforts when disaster affected normal operations in their service territories.
Trench and Excavation Competent Person
8/19/2020
1:00 - 4:00 pm (central time)
Designed to familiarize the participant with OSHA Regulation 1926. Topics include job planning, locating underground utilities, soil classification, testing for hazardous atmosphere, proper sloping, shielding, and equipment inspections and recognizing any potential hazards.
Meter Instrumentation & New Technology
8/25/2020
10:15 am - 12:15 pm (central time)
This course is designed to teach the basics of electronic correctors and pressure recorders for all experience and expertise levels. Best practices for troubleshooting will be combined with learning and understanding new technologies entering this sector of the marketplace. With natural gas systems of all sizes using instrumentation to accurately measure and record data, this course will provide additional information and useful insight for all attendees. For the more advanced attendees, this presentation will take you through the best practices that should be followed to safely deploy cellular based devices out in the field and through some of the latest trends that mobile technologies enable and how they can be applied to the gas industries. Attendees will learn how to troubleshoot a corrector, what the latest cellular technologies bring to the gas distribution market and how to take advantage of the latest cellular radio technologies.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Refresher
8/25/2020
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Central Time
The main role of SCADA system is to provide important measurement/control information timely, accurately and reliable. This course clarifies the definition of “SCADA”, as many interpretations exist today. Discussion will include relationships and differences between PLC, RTU, HMI, and MMI; block diagrams of typical SCADA solutions; typical remote monitoring/control; communication schemes and protocols; standards; supervisory computer platforms and features; enabling technologies; and, the future.
Advanced CP Corrosion
8/26/2020
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (central time)
Highlights the innovative ways gas utilities are utilizing GIS to capture data, meet regulatory requirements, analyze and model their systems, and conduct daily operations more efficiently.
Project Management for Engineers
8/26/2020
10:15 am - 12:15 pm (central time)
Provides a tour of three techniques of project management and a review of six central themes that can be applied regardless of methodology or technique chosen to manage the solution.
Inline Inspection and Piggability of Pipelines
8/26/2020
10:15 am - 12:15 pm (central time)
Addresses determining piggability and discussion around records research and field verification to ensure pigs will pass through a pipeline. This session covers considerations when setting Above Ground Markers (AGM’s), cleaning process and considerations to make when cleaning in-service pipelines and waste disposal, tracking cleaning tools, caliper and MFL tools and finding inspection tools in the event they become stationary, methods and processes for running inspection tools and considerations to make when running inspection tools on live lines with multiple feeds/taps.
Safety – Driving, Ergonomics & Lone Worker
8/26/2020
0800 am - 1000 am (central time)
This session will address health and safety best practices, lessons learned and operational experience. Focusing on driving safety, ergonomics and protecting the lone worker, this session provides several opportunities for participants to share best practices and learn from peers.
Fundamentals of Ultrasonic Meters
8/25/2020
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm (central time)
This session will discuss the operating principals of Ultrasonic Meter Measurement and designs (including the AGA 9 Standard). Station designs and how that impacts measurement accuracy will be covered in detail. A (virtual) hands-on demonstration will also be provided. Attendees will understand the fundamentals of ultrasonic meter measurement, review ultrasonic meter designs, discuss factors that affect measurement/accuracy, review station design considerations and better understand AGA 9 Standards.
Solutions for Cross Bores: Legacy & New Construction, Today’s Effective Methods and Techniques
8/24/2020
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Central Time
Explore lessons learned by reviewing examples of damages resulting from cross bore with sewer facilities. This session addresses the reasons why sewers are difficult to locate, the existence of old infra-structure, and best practices for the installation of gas facilities using trenchless excavation in the vicinity of sewer lateral.
Virtual Engagement
8/24/2020
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Central Time
The current COVID-19 pandemic has limited or halted traditional, face-to-face engagement methods posing delays for time sensitive projects. Communications with regulators, communities, and other stakeholders are necessarily different, and often accomplished using virtual meetings. Planning your project requires you to share information with the people who may be affected and to learn about their interests and concerns to be able to address these. Decreased public participation creates barriers to effectively soliciting input and can impact regulatory approval and overall project timelines. Your engagement strategy has to adapt to reach the people interested in your project in a way that safeguards the public and your employees-enabling you to advance your project planning and avoid costly delays during this time. Virtual meeting platforms utilizing 3D Visualization strategies and tools are effective for sharing project information, gathering feedback efficiently and inclusively, and/or hosting stakeholder engagement meetings. From our experience, virtual engagement has distinct advantages over traditional face-to-face meetings due to its greater reach and inclusive approach. This presentation will discuss and describe strategies and tools to support inclusive virtual engagement activities during COVID-19 and beyond, with a live demonstration of Jacobs' virtual open house platforms (360-degree platform and Jacobs gaming platform).
PHMSA Gas Transmission Rule
8/25/2020
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm (central time)
PHMSA "Mega Rule" o PHSMA published Phase I of the “Gas Mega Rule” on October 1, 2019 which includes new requirements for MAOP reconfirmation, the expansion of assessment requirements beyond HCSs and other items related to safety, risk and records. Since these rules are mandated safety requirements, the session will discuss how pipeline operators are implementing new practices and expanding integrity management principals beyond HCSs. The session will include the new requirements for MAOP, TVC and MCAs as well as a process to define objectives and create a plan.
PHMSA Compliance Deadlines: An operator must develop and document procedures for completing the MAOP Reconfirmation requirements by July 1, 2021; complete all required actions on at least 50% of pipeline mileage by July 3, 2028; and complete all required actions on 100% of pipeline mileage by July 2, 2035, or no longer than 4 years after the operating condition of a pipeline segment changes subjecting the segment to the requirement to reconfirm MAOP, whichever is later.