[DOCKET NO. PHMSA-2015-0283]

The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Advisory Bulletin (ADB–2016–01) to remind all owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines of the potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by severe flooding including actions that operators should consider taking to ensure the integrity of pipelines in the event of flooding, river scour, and river channel migration. Severe flooding can adversely affect the safe operation of a pipeline. Operators need to direct their resources in a manner that will enable them to determine and mitigate the potential effects of flooding on their pipeline systems in accordance with applicable regulations.

For a copy of ADB-2016-01 and the 14 action items recommend by PHMSA, contact Jessica Foley.

API recently published Recommended Practice (RP) 1174 for Onshore Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Emergency Preparedness and Response (1st Edition, December 2015). API RP 1174 provides operators with an enhanced framework to enable continual improvement of pipeline emergency planning and response processes. RCP can assist operators with preparing for a safe, timely, and effective response to a pipeline emergency. Contact Jessica Foley if you need a review of your Facility Response Plan, Contingency Plan, Integrated Contingency Plan; or, if you are interested in a third party review.

[DOCKET NO. PHMSA-2016-0016]

PHMSA issued Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2016-02) to remind all owners and operators of underground storage facilities used for the storage of natural gas, as defined in 49 CFR Part 192, to consider the overall integrity of the facilities to ensure the safety of the public and operating personnel and to protect the environment. Operators are reminded to review their operations to identify the potential of facility leaks and failures caused by corrosion, chemical damage, mechanical damage, or other material deficiencies in piping, tubing, casing, valves, and associated facilities and the importance of reviewing the location and operations of shut-off and isolation systems and reviewing and updating emergency plans as necessary.

This advisory also informs operators about recommended practices (API RP 1170, RP 1171, and IOGCC Standards) and urges operators to take all necessary actions, including but not limited to those set forth in ADB-2016-02, to prevent and mitigate breach of integrity, leaks, or failures at their underground storage facilities. In addition, PHMSA reminds operators that their operating and maintenance (O&M) processes and procedures should be reviewed and updated at least annually, unless operational inspections for integrity warrant shorter review periods.

For a copy of ADB-2016-02 with the full list of recommend practices and action items, contact Jessica Foley.

The California Department of Conservation’s (DOC) Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources emergency regulations for all underground gas storage projects in the state of California were approved on February 5, 2016. The emergency regulations were established under the emergency rulemaking process to protect public health, safety, and the environment while permanent regulations are being finalized.

Consistent with the mandate of the Governor’s emergency proclamation related to the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility in Los Angeles County, DOC determined that there was an immediate need to require implementation of performance standards specifically designed to ensure that operators of underground gas storage facilities are properly mitigating risks and taking all appropriate steps to prevent uncontrolled releases, blowouts, and other infrastructure-related accidents. The emergency regulations accomplish all of the following:

• Require at least a daily inspection of gas storage wellheads, using gas leak detection technology such as infrared imaging.
• Require ongoing verification of the mechanical integrity of all gas storage wells.
• Require ongoing measurement of annular gas pressure or annular gas flow within wells.
• Require regular testing of all safety valves used in wells.
• Establish minimum and maximum pressure limits for each gas storage facility in the state.
• Require each storage facility to establish a comprehensive risk management plan that evaluates and prepares for risk at each facility, including corrosion potential of pipes and equipment.

The emergency rule is available on the DOC website.

RCP is well known for DOT/PHMSA expertise, but did you know that we also focus on related assets? We have developed integrity management programs and operating procedures for both reservoir and salt dome gas storage facilities across the US. RCP can develop, review, update or verify your gas storage facility procedures as recommended in API RP 1170.

RCP’s staff supported the development of the new API Recommended Practice 1170 “Design and Operation of Solution-mined Salt Caverns Used for Natural Gas Storage” (published July, 2015). Our site specific risk analysis program using Monte Carlo methods (published at the International Pipeline Conference in paper IPC2014-33171) provides an excellent tool to conduct risk analysis calculations at underground storage facilities. We are well-positioned to support your organization’s response to the recent PHMSA advisory bulletin as well as the California Emergency rule on underground gas storage.

For more information, please contact Jessica Foley.

The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for Hazardous Liquids pipelines met on Monday, February 1, 2016, to discuss comments received and the path forward regarding the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on October 13, 2015 (see related article in the October edition of the “DOT Pipeline Compliance News”). It was by all accounts a productive, working meeting, resulting in a number of consensus recommendations from public, government, and the industry that should assist PHMSA in the development of a Final Rule in a timely manner. Information about the meeting, including materials developed by PHMSA prior to the meeting, are available on the TAC’s website.

[DOCKET NO. 14- 10-02]

Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) recently proposed amendments to the state’s “Call Before You Dig” procedures. These updated regulations seek to address proper techniques and protocols for the excavation and demolition of underground utility facilities. The proposed amendments also incorporate technical drafting changes adopted by the Legislative Regulation Review Committee of the General Assembly. Persons wishing to submit comments may do so electronically via the state’s e-regulations system or in writing sent to PURA Executive Secretary, 10 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051 by February 13, 2016. These proposed changes are available for public inspection on the PURA website.

RCP is now offering a 2-day Pipeline Pressure Testing Workshop at its facilities in downtown Houston. The workshop will begin by outlining the objectives for performing a pressure test and how those relate to DOT requirements. The workshop will then build upon these foundations to answer many specific pressure testing questions including:

• What are the different types of tests commonly conducted and how do you design each one?
• What is the theory and physical science behind a pressure test?
• How do you plan for a pressure test from start to finish:
  • Cleaning the line
  • Environmental hazards and permitting
  • Landowner and operations safety
  • Customer/stakeholder impact
  • Logistical details and scheduling
  • Pipeline modifications and anticipating failures
• What is the required instrumentation and how does it need to be configured?
• What data is absolutely necessary to validate a pressure test?
• How do you determine and prove a successful pressure test?
• What does a good test report look like (that will also satisfy PHMSA)?

Each attendee will receive the presentation as well as applicable handouts in a hardcopy notebook. Attendees will also have the opportunity to work through several exercises specifically covering 1) calculating the SMYS, MAOP and test pressures for various pipeline segments at various elevations 2) calculating the volume of water required for a hydrotest, fill times and velocities, and determining how the volume of test water changes with pressure and 3) designing a complete test plan for a hypothetical pipeline i.e. dividing the line into test sections and determining the test parameters for each section.

To register for our workshop, click here.

API recently published a new Recommended Practice (RP) concerning safety management systems for pipelines. API RP 1173 provides pipeline operators with a comprehensive way to make safe operations and continuous safety improvement a constant focus of their operations. The first step for most pipeline operators will be to assess their current safety management system maturity – from nothing in place to a sustainable, improving system. RCP can assist operators in the evaluation of the maturity levels of each element of the recommended practice, and establish an action plan for further development / maturity. Contact Jessica Foley for API RP 1173 Assistance.