MPL monitors and controls our entire pipeline network 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from pipeline operations centers in Findlay, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; and Long Beach, California. Highly trained pipeline controllers, high-speed computers, constantly evolving technology, and satellite communications enable us to safely operate pipeline systems.
Control Room Management Regulation
We devote significant resources to making sure regulatory requirements are met or exceeded. The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) requires compliance with its Control Room Management Regulation. At MPL, we've developed several plans, processes and procedures to satisfy the Control Room Management requirements, which include defining control room roles and responsibilities, providing adequate information for control and monitoring pipeline systems, fatigue mitigation, change management, lessons learned, training, and alarm management.
Pipeline Controller Training
MPL controllers receive six months of comprehensive training and testing before they can operate pipeline systems independently. After completing all training requirements, controllers utilize a sophisticated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) operating system to control and monitor pipeline systems across the United States. Controllers also utilize a Computational Pipeline Monitoring detection system to monitor pipeline system integrity.