From the GPTC 55th to the packed halls of Round Rock, see what stood out, what’s shifting, and what operators across the country are asking about most.
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Evolving Landscape PHMSA Regulatory Process in the Oil and Gas Pipeline Industry

Hello, Friend with a Pipeline!,

The Evergreen:AIR™ team has been on the move this July, with back-to-back stops at two of the summer’s biggest pipeline safety gatherings.

 

From July 7–9, we joined operators, state regulators, and industry experts at the GPTC Summer Meeting in Dallas, where ongoing revisions to Part 192 and field-verified updates took center stage.

 

Then it was off to the Texas RRC Regulatory Conference in Round Rock (July 14–16), where the sessions were just as intense as the Texas heat. The Kalahari Resort hosted packed rooms covering everything from pipeline safety and inspection trends to audit prep, valve rule implementation, and how enforcement priorities are shifting.

 

We’re always grateful for the chance to reconnect with old friends in the pipeline world and to make a few new ones along the way.

 

This week’s update includes a quick rundown of what we heard, what stood out, and what’s coming next. And don’t miss the Top 10 - What Everyone Was Asking About – June Recap, where we highlight the code sections that sparked the most questions across Evergreen:AIR™ last month. It’s a great pulse check on what’s top of mind for operators, engineers, and compliance teams.

 

Breathe in that fresh Evergreen:AIR™ - Your Compliance Compass™

James

 

P.S. The comment period for Hazardous Materials: Mandatory Regulatory Reviews to Unleash American Energy and Improve Government Efficiency ends August 4, 2025. If it affects your program, make sure your voice is heard.

 

P.P.S. Today, PHMSA announced pipeline inspection and enforcement priorities aimed to focus PHMSA’s regulatory oversight on activities with the greatest impact on pipeline safety.  Check out the memo here and we'll be adding our thoughts on this in upcoming emails: USDOT Introduces Data-Driven Inspection Enforcement Priorities to Strengthen Pipeline Safety

Top 10 - What Everyone Was Asking About - June Recap

Evergreen:AIR™ is built to make finding answers easy, in June 2025, the questions coming through revealed a lot about what’s on the minds of pipeline professionals.

 

Here’s a look at the top 10 regulatory topics users inquired about most last month:

  1. 192.9 – What requirements apply to gathering pipelines?

As regulatory scrutiny continues to increase around rural and Type C gathering lines, §192.9 tops the list. Users are closely reviewing which requirements apply based on classification and location.

  1. 195.452 – Pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas (HCAs)

Integrity management in HCAs remains a high priority. This section is central to risk-based assessments and inspection planning for hazardous liquid pipelines.

  1. 192.3 - Definitions

Every good compliance program begins with definitions. With so much hinging on how a term is defined, it's no surprise this section is consistently in the top tier of views.

  1. 192.8 – Determining regulated onshore gathering lines

Paired with §192.9, users are clearly focused on understanding whether their pipelines fall under PHMSA regulation, a critical first step in any compliance strategy.

  1. 192.605 – Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies

Procedures are a perennial challenge. This section is key for developing, updating, and aligning documentation with the actual operation of a gas pipeline system.

  1. 195.402 – Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies

The liquids counterpart to §192.605, this section draws attention for the same reasons: ensuring procedures are complete, accurate, and followed in both normal and abnormal conditions.

  1. 192.615 – Emergency plans

Emergency preparedness is under constant review. Users continue to reference this section as they refine response protocols, coordination plans, and training efforts.

  1. 195.1 – Which pipelines are covered by this Part?

Understanding the scope of Part 195 is essential when evaluating new assets, projects, or acquisitions. This section lays out the foundation for jurisdiction and applicability.

  1. 195.2 – Definitions

Much like its Part 192 counterpart, the definitions in §195.2 help shape the boundaries of applicability, making it a frequent touchpoint for users dealing with hazardous liquid systems.

  1. 192.1 – What is the scope of this part?

Completing the list, §192.1 is often the first stop when determining if a pipeline falls under PHMSA’s gas pipeline safety regulations.

GPTC 55th Anniversary Celebration and Meeting

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Earlier this month we celebrated the 55th Anniversary of the GPTC committee in Dallas, hosted by our friends and colleagues at Atmos Energy.  The celebration was a heartfelt and fun reminder of the importance of both the natural gas industry and the GPTC committee to our everyday lives.

 

Afterwards, Erin saw her first "longhorn" at the Fort Worth Stockyards!

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TRRC Regulatory Conference

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The TX RRC Regulatory Conference was a sold out jam packed three days.

 

Several presentations, including Stephanie Weidman's, emphasized the importance of accessing many types of Federal information to ensure up-to-date and defensible pipeline safety programs. 

 

The great news is that all of the information listed is not only included, but fully searchable in Evergreen:AIR™, so it's all right at your fingertips, sorted and tabulated for easy reference!

 

On another important note, the 50th Anniversary of Antone's happened during the conference.  After 30 years of wanting to go there, Erin was able to be there for the 50th anniversary. 

 

Many folks who were there on the first night were in attendance, making for a great night of music and Austin music history!

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You're never on your own. The Evergreen:AIR™ team is always here to help. Whether you need research support, key regulatory details, or anything else, just reach out, we’ve got you covered.

 

Contact us anytime at Hello@thatcompliancelady.com or call 713-487-7373.

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Erin McKay

Anchorage, Alaska
Erin@ThatComplianceLady.com
907-351-1835

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That Compliance Lady, PO Box 240631, Anchorage, AK 99524, 713-487-7373

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