Learnings From Implementing an API 1173 Compliant Management System

In July of 2015, the American Petroleum Institute (API) published Recommended Practice (RP) 1173 to provide an industry framework for the development of a Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS). Regulators and industry companies worked together to develop the RP, providing the basis for enhanced public safety and protection. Recognizing the inherent benefits to their organization, CHS’ pipelines and terminals division began developing their API RP 1173 compliant management system in February 2016. They were early adopters of this new management system approach and have had several years to not only develop their frameworks, policies, procedures, templates, and tools, but also to implement and ingrain them within their organization. The approach taken was methodic and systematic and focussed on right-sizing their system to match their specific organizational requirements. This supported CHS’ focus on building and applying the right pieces of their system in the right order to build organizational momentum and adoption. Roles and responsibilities throughout the organization were carefully defined to support implementation, administration, and management of the system. The establishment of CHS’ management system not only supported improved safety, but it also helped support the integration and alignment of different pipeline business areas. Throughout CHS’ development and implementation of its management system, key challenges and learnings were identified. This paper will outline the approach taken by CHS to assess and implement API RP 1173 within their pipeline and terminals division. The paper will outline the specific steps taken, the approach to building their company-specific framework and the learnings that were discovered along their journey. This paper will be of specific interest to those companies that may be in various stages of developing and implementing API RP 1173 within their respective organizations.