As compliance deadlines approach for OPS's first integrity management rule (see RCP's December, 2000 newsletter)HERE, OPS is hosting two workshops to promote a better understanding of the new requirements, and to discuss compliance approaches operators are applying to various aspects of the rule. OPS will host additional workshops if needed.

The first workshop will be on August 7-8, 2001, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the DoubleTree Hotel Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 77056, 713-961-9300 or 800-566-5216. Click HERE for the agenda. The second workshop will be on October 10-11, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Renaissance Houston Hotel, 6 Greenway Plaza East, Houston, Texas, 77046, 713-629-1200 or 800-Hotels-1. No later than September 12, 2001, rooms may be reserved within a block identified as "DOT/IMP Public Meeting Block".

Each workshop will be two days long, and will cover the same topics. On Day 1, OPS will familiarize participants with the new requirements, and present and seek comments on the approach OPS plans to use for achieving compliance. On Day 2, OPS will provide a forum for participants to share and discuss noteworthy integrity management practices that achieve compliance with the rule. Via the presentations, OPS hopes to encourage a peer-to-peer exchange among operators of innovative approaches being developed to enhance pipeline integrity and comply with the rule. Each presentation will be followed by an open discussion among meeting participants. Based on these discussions, OPS will kick-off development of an on-line forum that will enable continued exchanges between federal and state regulators, representatives of public interest and environmental organizations, the pipeline industry, and other interested parties about noteworthy practices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth Callsen, tel: 202-366-4572; E-mail: beth.callsen@rspa.dot.gov. For event planning purposes, please let Ms. Callsen know if you will attend. Also notify Ms. Callsen if you are interested in being a presenter on Day 2 of one or both of the workshops (note – DOT is only looking for pipeline operators to make presentations – not consultants).