scope:

The purpose of this recommended practice (RP) is to provide guidance for developing and maintaining an operator qualification (OQ) program. This document is comprised of the RP along with normative and nonmandatory, informative annexes.

This RP is applicable for all pipelines, both onshore and offshore, subject to 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 192 and/or Part 195. References to 49 CFR Part 192 are applicable to gas-transmission-only tasks, and references to 49 CFR Part 195 are applicable to liquid-only tasks. Operators may choose to use all, part, or none of this document as applicable to their operations.

Operators should be aware that the OQ regulation is applicable only to United States Department of Transportation (DOT) jurisdictional pipelines. For purposes of this document, the word "pipeline" is used interchangeably with pipeline, pipeline facility, pipeline system, and any and all jurisdictional pipeline components as defined in 49 CFR Part 192 and Part 195.

Annexes F and G have been added to this edition to address management of change and abnormal operating conditions.