Uncategorized

Pressure Test WebEx

Join us on July 16 (Thursday) at 2 p.m. CST for a WebEx presentation on TestOp™, our new comprehensive pressure testing tool. TestOp™ is a proprietary web-based application that provides operators with a platform to plan, design, certify and document their pressure tests. For use on gas and liquid lines, with tests using water, nitrogen,…

PHMSA Advisory Bulletin ADB-2015-02: Potential for Damage to Pipeline Facilities Caused by Hurricanes

Hurricanes can adversely affect the operation of a pipeline and require corrective action under §192.613 and 195.401. Hurricanes also increase the risk of underwater pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico and its inlets becoming exposed or constituting a hazard to navigation under §192.612 and 195.413. The Gulf of Mexico is now in hurricane season, and…

PHMSA NPRM: OQ, Cost Recovery, Accident and Incident Notification, and Other Pipeline Safety Proposed Changes

[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0163] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing amendments to the pipeline safety regulations to address Sections 9 and 13 of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (2011 Act), and to update and clarify certain regulatory requirements.…

Late Summer / Fall Conference Schedule

August – November 2015 Have you registered and confirmed your reservations for these upcoming conferences? RCP will be attending. We hope to see you there! Power-Gen Natural Gas – New this year!August 18 – 20, 2015Greater Columbus Convention Center /Columbus, OHAn annual conference and exhibition targeting gas-fired generation related to the development of natural gas…

Pressure Test WebEx

September 15, 2015 RCP is a leading industry expert on pressure testing and will be hosting a WebEx presentation on TestOp™, our new comprehensive pressure testing tool. TestOp™ is a proprietary web-based application that provides operators with a platform to plan, design, certify and document their pressure tests. For use on gas and liquid lines,…

FERC Issues Best Practices for Natural Gas Industry

July 2015 The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Office of Energy Projects published its “Suggested Best Practices for Industry Outreach Programs to Stakeholders.” The document highlights public outreach tools to effectively engage stakeholders during the process of siting, constructing, and operating interstate natural gas and LNG facilities. Topics discussed in the Best Practices include: Development…

Petitions for Reconsideration of March 11, 2015 Final Rule

[Docket No. PHMSA-2010-0026] On March 11, 2015, PHMSA published a final rule (80 FR 12762) addressing several subject matter areas including the performance of post-construction inspections, leak surveys of Type B onshore gas gathering lines, qualifying plastic pipe joiners, regulation of ethanol, transportation of pipe, filing of offshore pipeline condition reports, and calculation of pressure…

Miscellaneous Corrections to the Final Rule of January 5, 2015

[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0337; Amdt. Nos. 192-119; 193-25; 195-99] On August 6, PHMSA issued miscellaneous corrections to the final rule of January 5, 2015, concerning periodic updates of regulatory references to technical standards. The January document inadvertently removed paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) in 49 CFR 192.153. The August 6 rule removes that amendment and makes several…

Pipeline Damage Prevention Programs

[Docket No. PHMSA-2009-0192; Amdt. No. 196-1; 198-7] On July 23, 2015, PHMSA published a final rule to allow for Federal administrative enforcement action in States with inadequate enforcement programs of excavation damage prevention requirements. The Federal requirements PHMSA will enforce in States with inadequate excavation damage prevention law enforcement programs, as well as the adjudication…

PHMSA – Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas Distribution Systems

[Docket No. PHMSA 2011-0009] On July 15, 2015 PHMSA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning the use of excess flow valves (EFVs). The proposed rule will expand the requirement for installation of excess flow valves to include installation in new or replaced branched service lines servicing SFRs, multi-family residences, and small commercial entities…

Fall Conference Schedule

September – November 2015 Have you registered and confirmed your reservations for these upcoming conferences? RCP will be attending. We hope to see you there! Texas Gas Association:2015 RRC/PHMSA Training and QualificationSeptember 15 – 17, 2015San Antonio, TX Arkansas Gas Association 2015 Annual ConferenceSeptember 20 – 22, 2015Hot Springs Convention Center, Arkansas Pipeline Safety TrustNovember…

CGA DIRT Report for 2014

Vol. 11 Released August 2015 The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) has issued its Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report for 2014, providing a summary and analysis of the pipeline damage, near miss, and downtime events that occurred in 2014. The DIRT Report identifies the importance of calling 811 as most critical to safety. The number…

Texas Railroad Commission – Pipeline Damage Prevention Newsgroup

The Railroad Commission of Texas has created a new “Pipeline Damage Prevention” email subscription service. This subscription will feature email notifications regarding the Pipeline Damage Prevention Program of Texas. To subscribe to or unsubscribe from the email subscription service, visit the Railroad Commission of Texas website. This link will also give you information on other…