The Pipeline Group, Celeritas Form Strategic Alliance To Better Service Pipeline Industry

PITTSBURGH, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pipeline Group, the nation's leader in pipeline public awareness and safety programs, and CeleritasWorks, providers of the industry standard in pipeline regulatory and compliance software, have formed a strategic alliance to help companies meet their RP1162 commitments.

Under terms of the agreement announced today:

-- The two companies will work together to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their regulatory and compliance programs in a manner similar to the announcement earlier this month that The Pipeline Group and the Texas Excavation Safety System (TESS) will combine their emergency responder and contractor meetings. The Pipeline Group and Celeritas will begin their joint effort this month with integration expected to be completed next year.

-- Access to The Pipeline Group's database of compliance documentation for 35 states will be available on a version of Celeritas' Public Awareness Manager software.

-- Clients of both companies will have the opportunity to access both companies' emergency responder and excavator contact and capabilities information, constituting the largest database in the industry; and

-- Survey data and other effectiveness measurement reporting from both organizations will be combined, giving clients of both companies a stronger benchmark to judge the effectiveness of their public awareness meetings.

"Combining the strengths of our two organizations will enhance the quality and consistency of pipeline operators' public awareness programs and their RP1162 compliance," said Jim Mings, president and chief executive officer of The Pipeline Group. "Also, our alliance can offer a national solution for those companies wanting a single provider for their public awareness needs."

Mings added both companies will maintain their independence.

Celeritas has clients throughoutthe United States and is directly involved with state-based RP1162 programs in the Midwest, ranging from the Canadian border to the Gulf Coast. The Pipeline Group, meanwhile, serves pipeline operators nationwide, with a heavy concentration in the South and West.

"Information is absolutely critical in preventing and addressing pipeline incidents," said Brett Lester, Celeritas president. "Our strategic alliance offers the largest quantity of data and best tool in the business for accessing it."

About RP1162

Developed by gas and hazardous materials pipeline operators, American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practices 1162, or RP1162, details the pipeline industry's requirements for maintaining public awareness and safety. RP1162 is mandated under the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. The U.S. Department of Transportation is responsible for compliance.

About CeleritasWorks

Based inOverland Park, Kansas, Celeritas is a software engineering company that specializes in geographic information systems (GIS) for the energy marketplace. With more than 500 clients nationwide, Celeritas' suite of applications helps energy companies with compliance, integrity and dig ticket management; damage prevention; audience identification; corporate communications; and direct-mail and public awareness solutions.

About The Pipeline Group

A full-service consulting organization for the pipeline and hazardous materials industry, The Pipeline Group offers "turn-key" public awareness, emergency response, community right-to-know and RP1162 damage prevention plans. In 2007, thePittsburgh company conducted emergency response, excavation and landowner awareness programs for more than 30,000 individuals at 300 events in 35 states.

Public Awareness Manager is a trademark of CeleritasWorks.

SOURCE The Pipeline Group

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