Overview
Pipeline systems have much in common, but they are each unique in certain ways: operators’ philosophies, terrain, differences in products transported, unique circumstances or pipeline history along a pipeline route, local communities, stakeholder audiences and their experiences or concerns, and more.
The effort an operator makes to engage with its stakeholders can be the difference between positive relationships in local communities along a pipeline system and potentially adversarial relationships or opposition to new projects.
Pipeline operators already provide information on pipelines and pipeline safety to those who live, work, or excavate near pipelines and those who may respond to a pipeline emergency. RP 1185 is intended to provide guidance to pipeline operators on effective and meaningful engagement with the public, stakeholders, governments, and rights’ holders, building on their existing public awareness programs.
RP 1185 is framed around the four-step Plan-Do-Check-Act/Adjust cycle established in API RP 1173, Pipeline Safety Management Systems. This section of the guidance site will help operators establish a foundation for effective engagement programs, including core principles, a comprehensive review of engagement elements, an overview of the flexibility and scalability that is built into the document.