Recommended Practice for Pipeline Operator Qualification (OQ)

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 1161 FIFTH EDITION, NOVEMBER 2021

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Copyright © 2021 American Petroleum Institute

Foreword

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Contents

Page

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations 2

   1. Terms and Definitions 2

   2. Acronyms and Abbreviations 5

4. Guidance for Developing an OQ Program 6

   1. Roles and Responsibilities 6

   2. Participation in an Industry Group 6

   3. Language 7

   4. Program Improvement 7

5. Element 1: Identify Covered Tasks 7

   1. General 7

   2. Guidance on Identifying Covered Tasks 8

   3. Guidance on Interpreting the Four-part Test 8

6. Element 2: Ensure, Through Evaluation, That Individuals Performing Covered Tasks Are Qualified . . . 9 6.1 General 9

1. Guidance on Establishing Criteria for Qualification Through Evaluation 9

2. Other Circumstances That Require Qualification Considerations 15

1. Element 3: Allow Individuals That Are Not Qualified Pursuant to the Regulation to Perform

   a Covered Task if Directed and Observed by an Individual That Is Qualified 16

   1. General 16

   2. Span of Control 16

   3. Guidance on Emergency Response 17

2. Element 4: Evaluate an Individual if the Operator Has Reason to Believe That the Individual's Performance of a Covered Task Contributed to an Accident/Incident as Defined in the Regulation . . . 17

   1. General 17

   2. Guidance on Determination of Appropriate Action Following Individual's Involvement

      in an Accident or Incident 17

3. Element 5: Evaluate an Individual if the Operator Has Reason to Believe That the Individual

   Is No Longer Qualified to Perform a Covered Task 18

   1. General 18

   2. Guidance on Determining if an Individual Should No Longer Be Qualified 18

   3. Suspension Process 19

4. Element 6: Identify Those Covered Tasks and the Intervals at Which Evaluation of the

   Individual's Qualifications Is Needed 19

   1. General 19

   2. Guidance on Developing Reevaluation Intervals 19

5. Element 7: Communicate Changes That Affect Covered Tasks to Individuals Performing

   Those Covered Tasks 19

   1. General 19

   2. Guidance on Developing Processes to Communicate Changes That Affect Covered Tasks 20

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      Contents

6. Element 8: Provide Training, as Appropriate, to Ensure That Individuals Performing Covered Tasks Have the Necessary Knowledge and Skills to Perform the Tasks in a Manner That

   Page

   Ensures the Safe Operation of Pipeline Facilities 20

   1. General 20

   2. Guidance on Providing Training, as Appropriate 20

7. Element 9: Notify the Administrator or a State Agency if the Operator Significantly Modifies the

   Program After the Administrator or State Agency Has Verified That It Complies with Regulation 21

   1. General 21

   2. Guidance on Determining a Significant Change 21

   3. Guidance on Transmitting OQ Program Revisions 21

   4. Recordkeeping 22

   5. Guidance on Developing Recordkeeping Criteria 22

Annex A (normative) Covered Task List 24

Annex B (normative) Covered Task Standards 27

Annex C (informative) Evolution of the Covered Tasks 257

Annex D (informative) Testing and Evaluation Guidance 258

Annex E (informative) Program Effectiveness Guidance 264

Annex F (informative) Management of Change Guidance 269

Annex G (informative) AOC Guidance 271

Bibliography 276

Figures

G.1 AOC Identification Process 274

Tables

1. Internal Controls Checklist 258

2. Test Administration Personnel—Evaluator 259

3. Test Administration Personnel—Proctor 259

4. Knowledge Testing 260

5. Evaluation Process 261

6. Training 262

7. Test Security 262

8. Record Control 263

9. Audits 263

G.1 AOC Identification Process Description 275

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Recommended Practice for Pipeline Operator Qualification (OQ)

1. Scope

   
   

   The purpose of this recommended practice (RP) is to provide guidance for developing and maintaining an operator qualification (OQ) program. This document is comprised of the RP along with normative and nonmandatory, informative annexes.

   
   

   This RP is applicable for all pipelines, both onshore and offshore, subject to 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 192 and/or Part 195. References to 49 CFR Part 192 are applicable to gas-transmission-only tasks, and references to 49 CFR Part 195 are applicable to liquid-only tasks. Operators may choose to use all, part, or none of this document as applicable to their operations.

   
   

   Operators should be aware that the OQ regulation is applicable only to United States Department of Transportation (DOT) jurisdictional pipelines. For purposes of this document, the word “pipeline” is used interchangeably with pipeline, pipeline facility, pipeline system, and any and all jurisdictional pipeline components as defined in 49 CFR Part 192 and Part 195.

   
   

   Annexes F and G have been added to this edition to address management of change and abnormal operating conditions.

   
   

2. Normative References

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

API 510, Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration

API Standard 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction

API Standard 1104, Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities

API Recommended Practice 2350, Overfill Protection for Storage Tanks in Petroleum Facilities

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code 1, Section IX: Welding and Brazing Qualifications

ASNT Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A 2, Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing

U.S. DOT Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 192 3, Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline

U.S. DOT Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 195, Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline

U.S. DOT Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 191.23, Reporting Safety-related Conditions

1 ASME International, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5990, www.asme.org.

2 American Society for Nondestructive Testing, PO Box 28518, 1711 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228, www.asnt.org.

3 Department of Transportation. The Code of Federal Regulations is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, www.gpo.gov/fdsys.

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