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 July 2009., president and founder, Joe Murphy and Larson & Associates, Inc. president, Mark Larson, have consummated an agreement whereby Larson will assume operational ownership of The Pipeline Group to continue its leadership in the industry today through Damage Prevention Programs, Emergency Responder Programs and Right-Of-Way Awareness Mailouts to Residents, Landowners and other stakeholders in compliance with API's RP 1162. Joe Murphy, stated “This new leadership will again offer the excellent service and attention that The Pipeline Group was best known for and I am committed to the success of this endeavor." Mark Larson said, “Our first priority will always be the Group’s clients – pipeline operators, landowners and public safety responders.” He further added, “Our staff is experienced in the philosophy on which Joe Murphy founded and operated The Pipeline Group, and is committed to regulatory compliance and safety of the public.”