The Pipeline Group Story

Early in 1992, our founder met with a group of pipeline operators in the Midland, Texas area to develop a collective damage prevention program. He had worked several years in cross-country pipeline construction and in a pipeline company's right-of-way and regulatory department and knew their concerns. The first objective: The program had to be a compliment to any one-call system and secondly it had to pass regulatory compliance audits. After several weeks of collecting data, the first program was held in Odessa, Texas on July 30, 1992. Invitations were sent under the name "The Pipeline Group." Twenty-three companies participated as sponsors of the initial program, called the Public Education - Contractor Awareness Program and more than 200 guests who were engaged in excavation activities attended.

An additional program was then developed for emergency responders. It was called the Government Liaison - Emergency Response Program. On March 30, 1993, the first program was held in Odessa and was a huge success. The Odessa Fire Chief commented that collectively, this program provided more information about the sponsoring companies than had previously been made available individually.

In August 1993, the Government Liaison - Emergency Response Program was initiated at lunch time followed in the evening with the Public Education - Contractor Awareness Program. Both programs have proven to be efficient and effective tools that allow companies to collectively work together and achieve the required compliance goals set forth in Parts 192 and 195 of Federal DOT regulations.

In March 2007, our founder retired from his Public Awareness work and turned the reins of his business over to a 28-year veteran of the pipeline industry, Jim Mings. Since then, Jim has worked to integrate a new sense of customer service, professionalism, and management beyond that of just compliance. With a passion for damage prevention and the appropriate measured response to pipeline incidents, The Pipeline Group continues its leadership in the industry today through Damage Prevention Seminars, Emergency Responder Seminars, Direct Mail Communication to Residents, Landowners and other stakeholders, as well as the development of new products and services yet to be announced.

Keep up with our progress as our website progresses through its redevelopment at www.pipelinegroup.com.