[Docket No. PHMSA-2009-0421]
The
Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-10-01 to the owners or operators of
hazardous liquid pipelines concerning leak detection on hazardous liquid
pipelines. In order to ensure the safe and environmentally sound operation of
their hazardous liquid pipelines, the operating plans and procedures required
by the pipeline safety regulations should include the performance of an
engineering analysis to determine if a computer-based leak detection system is
necessary to improve leak detection performance and line balance processes.
If the analysis determines that a computerized leak detection system is
unnecessary, it is PHMSA’s expectation that the operator should perform a line
balance calculation and review process at no greater than one-hour intervals
whenever product is flowing through the line, and monitor for pressure changes,
meter movement and tank level changes even when the line is not flowing. As
part of the recordkeeping requirements under current regulations, operators
must retain documentation from any related engineering analyses for the
computerized leak detection and line balance considerations to demonstrate the
thoroughness of review during an inspection.
In addition, operators need to ensure open and regular communication between
all active source and delivery points along the pipeline, either through verbal
communication or through the use of SCADA or other similar technology.
For more information or a copy of ADB-10-01, contact Jessica
Roger.