For more than 25 years, a major gas utility has trusted American Innovations’ Pipeline Compliance System (PCS) to ensure cathodic protection compliance across its extensive network of gas assets. By combining reliable software with built-in compliance features, responsive support, and audit-ready reporting, PCS helps the team operate with the confidence that compliance is built into every step of their workflow.
About the Utility
This case study highlights one of the nation’s largest utilities, with operations spanning a complex network of gas transmission and distribution infrastructure. With thousands of miles to manage, the company prioritizes regulatory compliance, system reliability, and efficient field operations.
Turning Compliance Challenges Into A Core Strength
Maintaining compliance across a large, diverse asset base can be daunting. Each test point requires careful scheduling, accurate data collection, and reliable reporting. For this utility, the solution wasn't just a tool to track their work, but a system fundamentally structured around the regulations they must follow.
“When a regulator asks for a specific report—for example, the work performed by one technician over the last two years—it would have been difficult with paperwork. In PCS, we can simply push a button and get that report. To me, that's probably the most useful feature.”
The Solution: Compliance at the Core
The company’s cathodic protection monitoring team relies on PCS as its central hub for compliance. This allows them to:
- Keep compliance schedules on track without missing deadlines
- Replace manual reporting with accurate, centralized data
- Confidently reconcile records at year-end to avoid costly fines
PCS powers their compliance process end-to-end, with key regulatory requirements built directly into the workflow:
- Asset setup: Records and test points are established for every asset.
- Built-in frequencies: Required inspection cycles like monthly or 10-year surveys are pre-loaded options, which automates scheduling based on regulatory frequency.
- Field execution: Technicians use the Field Data Collector (FDC) app on company-issued iPads to upload data directly from the field.
- Built-in criteria: PCS automatically checks data against compliance rules, like the -0.85V standard, and issues alerts for any out-of-compliance readings.
Field technicians use the modern FDC app on company-issued iPads, which makes data collection easy and eliminates the need for specialized hardware.
A Partnership That Delivers Results
A successful compliance program benefits from more than just great software; a strong partnership is key. The utility relies on American Innovations to provide continuous, hands-on support, including:
- Seamless installation and configuration support
- Technician training and refreshers during updates
- Quick response to technical questions and issues
- Guidance during each PCS upgrade
“American Innovations has been very supportive. When we decided to upgrade the system, they provided training—onsite, remote, whatever we needed. They’re very, very responsive.”
Results: Proactive, Audit-Ready Operations
With PCS at the center of their CP operations, the utility benefits from:
- Strict compliance schedules: Notifications are driven by PCS’s built-in alerts, preventing missed deadlines.
- Audit-ready reporting: Clear monthly reports ensure accountability.
- Avoiding penalties: By eliminating compliance gaps, PCS helps avoid financial penalties.
“We reconcile all our records in PCS to make sure we are in compliance… it has prevented us from getting fined and wasting money.”
Looking Ahead with Confidence
The team sees even greater potential ahead as compliance technology evolves. Future goals include:
- Leveraging GPS data for more precise field inspections
- Streamlining inspection schedules by identifying areas of over- or under-testing
“PCS is a wonderful solution. From a cathodic protection point of view, it takes into account all the regulatory compliance requirements and builds the system around that—which is exactly what end users like us are looking for.”
Conclusion
For over two decades, this major gas utility has relied on PCS to manage cathodic protection compliance across a complex network of gas assets. Supported by American Innovations, the company continues to operate with confidence—simplifying audits and ensuring compliance is built into every step of their workflow.
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