Pipeline Operations

Pipeline Operations interview prep.

The library content Coach uses to tailor reports for this role. Generated reports personalise this against the candidate's CV + the firm's context.

Behavioural questions to expect

  1. Walk me through your background + operational experience.
  2. Tell me about an operational role or project you've held.
  3. Why oil + gas midstream vs other energy paths?
  4. Why this asset type - liquids pipeline / gas transmission / terminal / LNG?
  5. Why the firm?
  6. What's your read on our asset portfolio + recent ops events?
  7. Tell me what you understand about our safety + integrity posture.
  8. Walk me through an abnormal operation or incident response.

Technical concepts to master

  • Pipeline operations + control room

    SCADA · Leak detection · CRM (Control Room Management) · Abnormal Operating Conditions (AOC) · Operator Qualification (OQ)

  • Integrity Management Program (IMP)

    HCA (High Consequence Area) · Threat assessment + 9 threats · Reassessment cadence · MAOP verification + record validation · Repair criteria

  • Terminal + LNG ops + safety

    Terminal operations · Vapor recovery + emissions · LNG plant operations · Custody transfer + measurement · Process Safety Management (LNG + similar)

  • Emergency response + spill management

    Facility Response Plan (FRP) / Emergency Response Plan · Incident Command System (ICS) · Spill containment + recovery · Regulatory notification + reporting · Investigation + RCA + corrective action

Practical drills

  • SCADA shows a 10% pressure drop on a transmission line with no scheduled maintenance. Leak detection algorithm hasn't triggered alarm. Walk through your response.
  • Recent ILI run identified 22% wall loss on a 30-year-old transmission line in HCA segment. Walk through your response.
  • A landowner reports a sheen on a creek crossed by your liquids pipeline. Walk through your immediate + 48-hour response.

Smart-question anchors

  • Asset portfolio - pipeline + terminal + LNG mix + product type
  • Safety record + integrity program - PHMSA enforcement, ILI cadence, HCA coverage
  • Recent capital + integrity investment - replacements, recoating, SCADA + leak detection upgrades
  • Control room + CRM maturity - SCADA generation, leak detection sensitivity
  • Regulatory engagement - PHMSA + DOT + FERC + EPA + state

Sourced from

PHMSA 49 CFR Parts 192 / 193 / 195 + enforcement · API Recommended Practices (RP 1173, 1160, 1117 etc.) · NFPA 59A LNG standard + AGA + INGAA + GPA Midstream resources · NTSB pipeline accident reports + recommendations · ASME B31.4 + B31.8 + B31G pipeline standards + ASME B31G + RSTRENG analysis methods

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