• videocam Live Webinar with Live Q&A
  • calendar_month October 29, 2026 @ 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT
  • signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
  • card_travel Energy
  • schedule 90 minutes

PHMSA Pipeline Safety Update: Repair Criteria, Integrity Management, and Enforcement

Gas Transmission, Hazardous Liquid, and Distribution Compliance

About the Course

Introduction

This CLE webinar will examine recent PHMSA pipeline safety developments affecting gas transmission, hazardous liquid, and gas distribution operators. The panel will discuss proposed changes to pipeline repair criteria, pipeline risk assessment, inspection and repair requirements, operator documentation, and strategies for responding to inspections and enforcement proceedings.

Description

Pipeline operators must identify and evaluate anomalies, determine when repairs are required, and document the technical and regulatory basis for their decisions. Proposed changes to PHMSA's repair criteria may affect how operators classify pipeline conditions, establish remediation priorities, and manage the risks affecting gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines. Counsel should understand how operators use inspection results, operational data, engineering analyses, and written procedures to support repair and risk management decisions. Failures or gaps within integrity management systems, recordkeeping, inspections, or remediation may result in notices for probable violation, corrective action, civil penalties, or other enforcement means.

Listen as our authoritative panel examines current PHMSA pipeline safety developments and offers guidance on decision-making, integrity management programs, compliance documentation, and enforcement response.

Presented By

Austin Echols
Senior Associate
Baker Botts LLP

Mr. Echols' practice focuses on a range of environmental, safety, transportation, and incident response matters. His experience includes advising clients on workplace safety, process safety, pipeline safety, maritime, hazardous materials, air, water, and waste issues. Mr. Echols also counsels clients during crises and manages federal and state agency investigations into incidents involving fatalities, serious injuries, environmental damage, and major operational disruptions. He represents clients in matters involving OSHA, CSB, PHMSA, USCG, BSEE, BLM, FAA, EPA, and corresponding state agencies throughout the country, with particular experience handling regulatory matters in Texas and Alaska.

Harrison Reback
Partner
Baker Botts LLP

Mr. Reback is a go-to resource for federal and state Clean Air Act regulatory compliance counseling across the energy value chain. He is well versed in the operational needs and environmental compliance issues for clients at the well head, across transportation and processing facilities, and downstream at refineries, chemical plants, and electric generating facilities. Mr. Reback represents clients in routine counseling matters and enforcement defense before EPA, PHMSA, OSHA, TCEQ, and Harris County, among other agencies. Through this work, he has established particularly strong relationships with staff at EPA Region 6 and state environmental regulators in Texas, New Mexico, and North Dakota. Mr. Reback also routinely supports clients in crisis response activities and emergency response planning. He has deployed to major incidents at well sites, gas plants, refineries, chemical plants, and other facilities outside the energy sector. Mr. Reback has led initial response activities, interfaced with responding state and federal agencies, conducted incident and whistleblower investigations, and defended against resulting enforcement actions in the wake of fires, fatalities, and chemical releases.

Credit Information
  • This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.


  • Live Online


    On Demand

Date + Time

  • event

    Thursday, October 29, 2026

  • schedule

    1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT

I. PHMSA pipeline safety framework and recent developments

II. Evaluating anomalies and determining repair obligations

III. Reviewing integrity management programs and risk models

IV. Documenting inspection, repair, and operating decisions

V. Responding to PHMSA inspections and alleged violations

VI. Penalties, orders, and enforcement

The panel will review these and other key issues:

  • PHMSA's proposed repair criteria: potential changes to the evaluation and remediation of pipeline anomalies
  • Operator considerations when reviewing integrity management programs and risk models
  • Documenting inspection, repair, and operational decisions: best practices
  • Responding to PHMSA inspections, alleged violations, penalties, and orders