Since their implementation, CFR control room management standards have played a pivotal role in helping pipeline companies maintain compliance and stay current across multiple facets of their operations. These standards address critical areas such as safety management, controller fatigue and well-being, infrastructure integrity, alarm analysis, and the comprehensive documentation and reporting of high-priority daily activities. Their primary objective is to guide organizations toward more informed and effective decision-making. Additionally, these standards facilitate thorough audits that promote the adoption of best practices throughout the industry.
However, even with robust standards in place, occasional compliance gaps can hinder pipeline companies from fully realizing their potential or attaining true operational excellence.
The graph below provides an overview of all penalties issued by PHMSA between 2020 and 2025.
Alarming situation?
As demonstrated by recent penalties, a prevailing challenge for pipeline operators has been maintaining robust SCADA alarm management. Failures frequently arise during the management, testing, and updating of SCADA points, often exacerbated by insufficient documentation and irregular checks. These shortcomings can introduce significant safety and integrity risks, manifesting as inaccurate readings, alarm malfunctions, outdated field equipment calibration, suboptimal point-to-point testing, and inadequate recordkeeping.
Practice makes perfect
The human factor plays a crucial role in controller training, particularly when addressing daily responsibilities, abnormal operations, and emergency scenarios. While repetition is key to mastering essential tasks, it is equally important to schedule regular training sessions to review and update knowledge. This approach strengthens collaboration and communication among personnel, enhances performance during critical situations, and supports effective fatigue management.
Why do these gaps exist?
The underlying causes of non-compliance frequently originate from the inherent complexity of operations and limited resources. PHMSA data consistently highlights recurring deficiencies in areas such as alarm management reviews, testing of backup SCADA systems, and point-to-point verification between SCADA displays and field equipment. These activities demand rigorous scheduling and precise coordination, yet operators often underestimate the time and specialized expertise required to perform them reliably. Furthermore, inadequate change management and insufficient documentation practices significantly increase the risk of errors during system updates or emergency response efforts.
What are the consequences?
Non-compliance extends beyond regulatory concerns; it poses significant risks to both safety and financial performance. While penalties may accumulate rapidly, the greater threat lies in heightened operational risk. Inaccurate alarms or outdated SCADA configurations can result in delayed responses to abnormal conditions, thereby increasing the potential for accidents, environmental harm, and reputational damage. Additionally, deficiencies in controller training and inadequate fatigue management can impair decision-making during critical moments, potentially escalating minor issues into major incidents.
At Tory-Tech, we recognize the complexities and evolving demands faced by pipeline operators. Our MaCRoM® platform is designed to address these challenges with a sophisticated, adaptable approach to control room management. MaCRoM® seamlessly integrates advanced alarm management, comprehensive SCADA point-to-point documentation, abnormal operation oversight, and robust change management, delivering all essential functions within a unified ecosystem.
What sets MaCRoM® apart is its exceptional flexibility, allowing operators to tailor the platform to their unique operational environments and compliance requirements. By streamlining critical processes and automating routine tasks, MaCRoM® not only helps companies achieve and sustain regulatory compliance but also significantly simplifies daily workflows for control room personnel. This results in greater operational efficiency, reduced risk, and enhanced safety, empowering teams to focus on what matters most: maintaining system integrity and achieving true operational excellence.
Tory Technologies, Inc., also known as Tory-Tech, is a Houston-based corporation founded in 2012, that designs, develops, integrates, and deploys intuitive corporate software solutions for Control Room Management and Volumetric Data Management. Decades of expertise in software development and implementation have resulted in a unique suite of solutions specifically designed to solve critical challenges in control rooms and flow measurement departments.
Interested in working with a SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliant company? Contact us to learn more about our control room management software, MaCRoM®, and our volumetric data management software, COSMOS®.