Lloyd’s Register assesses Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s pipeline network in California, US

Lloyd’s Register Energy has assessed Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) pipeline network in northern and central California.

The evaluation of a 70,000-square mile service area has been made under API RP 1173 and Lloyd’s found no major non-conformances for PG&E’s network of pipelines.

The practice, which has been recommended by American Petroleum Institute (API), gives operators a framework to identify and address safety concerns for a pipeline system’s entire lifecycle.

In July 2014, Lloyd’s Register awarded ISO 55001 certification to PG&E after assessing the company’s 70,000-square-mile service area.

Lloyd’s Register Energy utilities lead assessor and regional manager Peter Glaholm said: "Although most of the elements of API RP 1173 had already been covered by our previous audits on PAS 55/ISO 55001, PG&E wanted a thorough ‘deep dive’ into their integrity systems for transmission and distribution pipelines.

"We have assessed their safety management systems against the API requirements and they have made a lot of good progress over the past five years in making their pipeline systems safer."

As part of the assessment, Lloyd’s Register has completed a full centre-line survey on all transmission pipelines, and introduced transmission geographical information system (GIS) providing asset information of all pipelines.

The company has also commissioned a new gas control room.

PG&E president Nick Stavropoulos said: "These recognitions are proof of our commitment to continually improve our safety culture and enhance our asset management programme.

"This is another superb recognition and validation that we continue doing the right work in the right way and we are determined to make even more strides towards world-class safety performance."

PG&E, which covers nearly half of California in its service area, operates and maintains over 6,750 miles of transmission pipelines and more than 40,000 miles of distribution pipeline.