1. AGA Distribution Best Practices Program Control Room Management
CenterPoint Energy
Thomas Baker
Gas Control Manager

2. CenterPoint Energy Distribution
Metrics
Number of Gas Customers = 3,282,487
Miles of Main = 71,442
Number of Gas Employees = 3,053

3. Challenges Impact and implementation of CFR 192.631
Impact of rules on our operations
Expansion of procedures to meet audit expectations
Communications within the organization
Creating changes to meet the requirements
Managing workforce culture changes and expectations

4. Processes The Gas Control Department provides system support to:
Maintain safe operations at all times
Maintain logs to document system issues and actions
Develop and implement activities to meet all federal requirements
Insure compliance
Research technologies to assist in our goals

5. Control Room Activities
Operate two Gas Control centers – Houston and Minneapolis
Southern Territory is staffed with 9 Gas Controllers, 24/7
Northern Territory is staffed with 5 Gas Controllers, 24/7
Controllers rotate duties to monitor the gas distribution systems and to provide engineering support service to field employees
Installed a new HMI platform (ClearSCADA) for Southern Gas Control in 2011 and evaluating replacement of Northern System
Highlights of the Southern Gas Control HMI deployment included:
configuration by in-house personnel and aligns with the CRM rules
presently supports 512 control points
monitors over 7,800 additional parameters throughout the service territory, and
design for rapid expansion to monitor more regional areas

6. Control Room Activities (con’t)
Investigations or response to alerts/alarms, are communicated by the controller to regional or district field technicians for remediation, and all actions are documented in an on-line control room log
Set-point changes on our gas systems by regional or district operations field personnel, are communicated by the field technicians to the control room, and are documented in the control room log (inclusive of points not monitored)
Addressed fatigue concerns and impacts by utilizing the Circadian services, newsletters, , etc.
Controller feedback has been very positive and well received
Structured schedules to rotate and limit controller duties, balancing engineering services and system interactions

7. Control Room Activities (con’t)
Updated control room facilities to limit controller distractions, and provide readily available resources for the controller
Controller input is a focus to enhance the SCADA/HMI and supporting tools. Focus is to develop ownership and enhance understanding in their duties
Gas Control Orders are documents used to record and track specific facility changes on the pipeline system. Each order is updated as new information is provided. When work is completed, the order is completed and closed.
Gas Control Logs are documents used to record system changes and all actions made by controllers. When actions remain pending, GCL’s will require follow up documentation.

8. Control Room Activities (con’t)
Point to Point Verifications are conducted when a change is made to the pipeline or SCADA system that affects pipeline safety, or when equipment is added or moved. These verifications are done by controllers and field technicians to verify information between the SCADA system and related field equipment.
Five safety related alarms have been established: High High Pressure, Low Low Pressure, No Injection, Low Injection, and Injection with No Flow. When a controller receives a safety related alarm they are notified by a distinct sound and color.
All other types of notifications have been classified as High Priority or Low Priority Alert’s. With both types of Alerts the controller is notified by a unique sound and color combination.
Alarm reports are generated in the SCADA system to identify alarm frequency.

9. Conclusion Implemented the CRM requirements
Enhanced and strengthen communication and records keeping – internal and external
Continually expanding the system and coverage, and increasing the number of data points
Developed a focus of making the Gas Control Room the first point of contact for system events
Built more awareness of supplier activity
Identified and categorized system notifications

10. Conclusion (con’t) Built parameters for alarm management
Proactively dealt with fatigue management and mitigation
Fostered a collaborative environment of communications between departments
Design
Construct
Operate

11. Thank You! Questions?