Pipeline Operators Forum and Issue of Revised Recommended Practice POF 310 – Field Verification for In-Line Inspection

Introduction

The Pipeline Operators Forum (POF) issued a revised edition of their Recommended Practice Field Verification for In-Line Inspection (POF 310) in December 2023. The recommended practice provides guidance on how to conduct field verification programs for the purpose of validating in-line inspection (ILI) results. It was previously published in December 2012. This article includes an overview of and key updates to POF 310, and discusses ILI validation requirements for compliance with U.S. pipeline regulations.

About the Pipeline Operators Forum

The Pipeline Operators Forum is a non-profit organization registered in the Netherlands. Its primary mission is to create and maintain a forum to share pipeline integrity experience and good working practices to improve pipeline integrity management. The forum’s practices and specifications cover a range of activities with a focus on in-line inspection.

The organization includes members from approximately 30 international companies that operate pipeline assets. Members of POF can be businesses, enterprises, and/or institutions having legal responsibility for owning and/or operating pipelines in the oil, gas, and/or chemical industry. Membership is required to view information regarding POF meetings and additional documentation and to use the online forums.