The Pipeliners Podcast is the source of industry information for pipeline professionals. This is a weekly podcast with new episodes released every Tuesday. Each week, host Russel Treat welcomes industry-leading experts and insightful guests to share their knowledge about specific pipeline topics in an informative, conversational setting. Each episode covers topics that include alarm management, compliance, control room management, cybersecurity, HMI and SCADA, inspection, integrity, leak…
On this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russell Treat talks with Geoff Daily and Aaron Knabb of Bifrost, the MetaSCADA division of Techneaux, about moving SCADA data reliably across the enterprise. The conversation covers why a simple pull from the historian often isn't enough, how Bifrost's naming and namespace tools address the "what do you actually have" problem across disparate…
On 811 Day, Sarah Magruder Lyle, president and CEO of the Common Ground Alliance and executive director of the Damage Prevention Action Center, returns to the Pipeliners Podcast to discuss the state of underground damage prevention. She and host Russell Treat cover the newly released DIRT Report, the Damage Prevention Institute's accreditation results, a new decal partnership with the Association…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Aaron Dinovitzer, an independent integrity management consultant, and Rob McKenzie, an engineering supervisor at Enbridge, to discuss the new API Recommended Practice on pressure cycling management. The conversation covers why the standard was developed, how operations and integrity management teams can use it to speak a…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russell Treat talks with Jerad Stack, co-founder and CEO of Flowstate, about why "leak detection" means different things to different people in the pipeline industry. The conversation covers how Flowstate models pipeline behavior with physics-informed neural networks instead of traditional real-time transient or purely statistical models, and how…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat talks with Kyle VanLandingham, Director of Business Development at Texas811, about the Guardian program. They discuss how distributed fiber optic sensing is being layered onto existing 811 infrastructure to catch excavation activity that happens without a call to 811, why that "no-ticket" digging drives a disproportionate share of…
Russel Treat talks with Vickie Cain, who chaired the American Petroleum Institute committee that led the update to API RP 1168, the recommended practice for pipeline control room management. Vickie, who spent about thirty years as a pipeline operator before moving into consulting, walks through what changed in the new edition, including point-to-point verification, control room applicability,…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat talks with Mark LaCour, Director of ModalPoint and editor-in-chief of the Oil and Gas Global Network (OGGN), recorded live at the API Pipeline, Control Room and Cybernetics Conference. Mark, who delivered one of the event's keynotes, discusses shifting public perception of the oil and gas industry among Generation Alpha, the origins and…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat talks with Walter Nusbaum, keynote speaker at the 2026 API Pipeline Conference, about his framework for pursuing excellence as a way of life. The conversation explores how unaddressed hazards and violations can gradually normalize failure, using real world examples ranging from the 1999 Texas A&M Bonfire collapse to the Space Shuttle…
This week on the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat talks with Mona Haggag about in-situ mechanical testing, a nondestructive technique used to determine the mechanical properties of pipe still in the ground. Mona, whose father pioneered the technology, walks through how the ball indentation method works, what it can and cannot tell an operator, and how the tool is being adapted for field use in…
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast commemorates the 27th anniversary of the tragic Olympic Pipeline rupture in Bellingham, Washington, which resulted in a catastrophic explosion and the loss of three young lives. Larry Shelton shares his insights from the incident and the conversation serves as a reminder of the responsibilities of those in the pipeline industry. On the 20-year anniversary of…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russell Treat joins Mike Radich, Senior Account Executive at Live EO, for a live webinar conversation on what happens after a right-of-way issue is identified — how it moves through the organization, how it gets prioritized, and how it ultimately reaches the field for resolution. Drawing on more than thirty years of pipeline operations experience,…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat speaks with Alois Multerer of Primus Line about reinforced thermoplastic liner technology and its role in pipeline rehabilitation. The conversation explores how Kevlar-reinforced composite liners are installed, where trenchless remediation technologies are most effective, and the ongoing industry challenges around inspection, integrity…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat speaks with Travis Greenstreet and Ahmed Hassanin about full scale pipeline integrity testing, failure analysis, and the role testing plays in validating integrity management decisions. The conversation explores burst testing, strain analysis, digital modeling, repair validation, and how operators can use testing and analysis to better…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat speaks with Tyler Tunic of the SGA Natural Gas Association about workforce engagement, industry collaboration, and the evolving role of trade associations in the natural gas industry. Tyler discusses his transition from working in the industry to joining SGA, as well as the importance of leadership development, committee engagement, and…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat speaks with Brad Thomas of Heath Consultants about the evolution of natural gas leak detection technology and the operational realities of leak survey work. The conversation explores how the industry is moving from traditional combustible gas indicators toward advanced laser-based methane detection systems, along with the training and…
In this episode, Russel Treat speaks with Michelle Logut and Scott Urwick about how environmental consultants support pipeline project success. The conversation explores how early engagement, clear communication, and alignment between permitting and construction can help avoid delays, reduce costs, and maintain project momentum. Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat speaks with Greg Alexander of Audubon about his decades-long career in corrosion control and pipeline integrity. Greg shares how he entered the field without a traditional engineering background, the importance of certifications and industry involvement, and why developing the next generation of corrosion professionals is critical to the…
In this episode, Scott Faircloth of Piedmont Natural Gas joins the conversation to discuss the Southern Gas Association's Spring Gas Conference and its role in supporting industry collaboration. The discussion explores Scott's career path, the value of field experience, and how industry events like SGA help drive knowledge sharing, innovation, and workforce development. Visit…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat speaks with David Murk of the American Petroleum Institute about the upcoming API Pipeline, Control Room, and Cybernetics Conference. Their conversation covers how the conference has evolved over the past decade, key themes shaping the 2026 program, and why the event continues to be a central gathering for pipeline professionals. Visit…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat is joined by Brianne Craddock and Melanie Lampton of Babst Calland to discuss PHMSA enforcement. The conversation explores how the enforcement process works, recent trends in enforcement activity and penalties, and what operators should understand to better navigate inspections and compliance expectations. Visit…
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features a conversation with Paul Roberti, Administrator of PHMSA, about the agency's role in pipeline safety and his broader regulatory philosophy. The discussion covers enforcement priorities, modernization efforts, and how PHMSA is working to balance safety, efficiency, and industry collaboration. Listeners will gain insight into how regulatory frameworks,…
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features a conversation with Samer El Issa of FloSeer about applying AI to solve real-world challenges in pipeline and measurement operations. The discussion covers how different types of AI, including large language models, mathematical models, and agent-based systems, can be used together to deliver practical and reliable outcomes, as well as the key…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat discusses alarm management and the risk that poorly designed alarm systems pose to operators. Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions.
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat sits down with Shawn Patterson of Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline to discuss the future of natural gas and the forces reshaping the industry. Drawing on more than three decades of leadership experience, Shawn shares perspectives on workforce transition, safety culture, infrastructure modernization, and the growing role of technology and AI…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Marc Lamontagne returns to discuss how in-line inspection (ILI) technology has evolved over the past eight years. He shares insights on advancements in crack detection, including phased array ultrasonics, improvements in magnetic-based tools, and the increasing volume and fidelity of inspection data. The conversation also explores the growing role of…
The Pipeliners Podcast is continuing a series on inline inspection (ILI) with Marc Lamontagne of the Lamontagne Pipeline Assessment Corporation . In this episode, Marc discuss data. Specifically, what should operators do with all of the data they're collecting? Marc provides his perspective on data integration, what to look for in the data as it pertains to the condition of pipes in the field, the…
The Pipeliners Podcast is continuing a series on inline inspection (ILI) with Marc Lamontagne of the Lamontagne Pipeline Assessment Corporation. In this episode, host Russel Treat and Mr. Lamontagne discuss the important roles of geometry and mapping for inline inspection. You will learn about the caliper and geometry tools used for inline inspection, why it's important to have accurate maps to…
The Pipeliners Podcast is continuing a series on inline inspection (ILI) with Marc Lamontagne of the Lamontagne Pipeline Assessment Corporation. In this episode, host Russel Treat and Mr. Lamontagne discuss the use of ultrasonics for inline inspection. In this episode, you will learn about the use of ultrasonic tools to capture information about corrosion and cracking, the advantages of using…
This Pipeliners Podcast episode is part of a rebroadcast of a previously-aired series on inline inspection (ILI) with Marc Lamontagne of the Lamontagne Pipeline Assessment Corporation. Host Russel Treat and Mr. Lamontagne begin the series discussing magnetic flux leakage (MFL) technology. In this episode, you will learn about the value of MFL as the workhorse of inline inspection, how MFL can help…
In this republished episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, you will learn about the important topic of inline pipeline inspection with guest Marc Lamontagne. Included is a discussion of the history of pigging and the three categories of threats to pipeline integrity. You will be in the same position as host Russel Treat walking through the pigging process, what tools are available to identify specific…
In this week's episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Rick Bondy joins the show to discuss the evolution of pipeline emergency response from a planning and operational perspective. Drawing on his background as a first responder and emergency manager, the conversation explores how regulations, frontline preparedness, and program design influence an operator's ability to manage high-consequence events.…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat talks with pipeline integrity veteran Jerry Rau about how he came to write and publish a multi-author book series designed to capture hard-earned industry lessons in a story-driven format for the next generation of pipeliners. They discuss the intent behind the books—focusing on practical perspective, leadership, and knowledge transfer rather…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Russel Treat is joined by returning guest Mark LaCour for a wide-ranging discussion on what the pipeline industry may face in 2026. Together, they reflect on prior-year predictions before exploring forward-looking themes such as infrastructure investment, LNG expansion, workforce constraints, data and digitalization, and the evolving role of AI and…
*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "56051384-6f0c-4bbf-ad1c-bf56567096e1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> This special holiday episode of the Pipeliners…
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:450147e8-03fe-4ef4-b7ab-68292b9e05ac-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features a thoughtful conversation with Scott Tinker on the realities of the global energy…
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:53f1f067-5698-4ab7-84a8-7f82cb2b4525-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Dr. Keith Leewis joins the show for a practical, experience-driven discussion on…
In this week's episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Dr. Keith Leewis joins to discuss the differences between old and new steel pipe and why those distinctions matter for pipeline integrity and maintenance practices. The conversation highlights how manufacturing methods, coatings, and metallurgical properties influence how pipeline materials behave over time. The episode also touches on practical…
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features a conversation with metallurgical expert Keith Leewis, who introduces the fundamentals of pipeline metallurgy and explains how steelmaking practices have evolved over time. The discussion explores the key concepts that influence how modern and legacy pipeline steels behave, setting the stage for a multi-part series on metallurgy and its practical…
On this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Pete Weber of DoC Mapping joins Russel Treat to discuss how operators determine depth of cover for pipelines at water crossings and why it matters for integrity and risk management. The conversation explores regulatory expectations, historical and modern inspection practices, and emerging technologies that improve accuracy in underwater pipeline surveys.…
This anniversary episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features host Russel Treat reflecting on eight years of the show, highlighting its mission of education through conversation and the breadth of technical topics covered. He discusses the evolution of the show, acknowledges key contributors and sponsors, and offers insights into what may be ahead for the podcast. Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat talks with Rob Jennings of the American Petroleum Institute about how the rapid growth in electricity demand is creating new opportunities for the natural gas and pipeline industries. The discussion explores the changing dynamics of U.S. power generation, including the resurgence of domestic manufacturing, the rise of energy-intensive…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat welcomes Andrew Bell (Explorer Pipeline) and CaLae Miller (CEM Solutions) to discuss the Stockyards Corrosion Short Course, an annual training event in Fort Worth, Texas. The conversation covers the course's origins, its "by technicians, for technicians" philosophy, and the hands-on, real-world approach that makes it valuable for…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Robin Rorick, Vice President of Midstream Policy at API, returns to the show to discuss pipeline conservation as a mechanism for building community. Visit PipelinePodcastNetwork.com for a full episode transcript, as well as detailed show notes with relevant links and insider term definitions.
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat speaks with Dave Norton of Hawk Consultants to mark the 50th anniversary of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The conversation explores the history and legacy of the project—from its groundbreaking construction and technological innovations to its enduring economic and environmental impact on Alaska. Norton also discusses the work of the Alaska…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, host Russel Treat sits down with Jim Francis of ENTRUST Solutions Group to reflect on key insights from the recent AGA Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS) Workshop. Their discussion explores how PSMS implementation has evolved across the industry—from broader organizational engagement and leadership integration to advancements in data use and…
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Jim Curry of Babst Calland returns for an in-depth discussion on current and upcoming PHMSA rulemakings. The conversation covers the agency's evolving focus on risk-based, technology-driven regulation — including the growing role of AI and advanced analytical tools — and what these changes mean for operators. Curry also provides insights into regulatory…
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features a conversation with Osten Olorunsola of Aradel Holdings about the opportunities and challenges of building measurement capability at the national level in Nigeria. The discussion explores the critical role of measurement in oil and gas operations, the regulatory landscape, and the impact of shifting from multinational operators to indigenous…
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features a conversation with Ben Gilman about the American Gas Association's GIS and Asset Records Management Committee. The discussion explores the evolution of mapping and GIS in the utility industry, the committee's focus on improving accuracy and best practices, and the growing importance of integrating GIS with asset management and field operations. The…
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast welcomes back Keith Coyle, now serving as Chief Counsel at PHMSA, to discuss his new role and the agency's current priorities. The conversation highlights leadership changes within PHMSA, the administration's push for greater efficiency and impact, and the agency's updated approach to rulemaking, enforcement, and safety priorities. Listeners get a high-level…
This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features a discussion with Marissa Anderson of Magnolia River and Gary Choquette of PRCI about the Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS) and the new SCADA Link module. The conversation explores how PODS provides a geospatial framework for managing pipeline data, the value of linking SCADA data to precise pipeline locations, and the broader implications for leak…