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…
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PHMSA Advisory Safe Operations of Underground Storage Facilities for Natural Gas
[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.…
API RP 1174 Assessment
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…
PHMSA ADB–2016–01 Damage to Pipelines Caused by Flooding
[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…
PHMSA Incident and Annual Data Analysis
RCP can provide detailed and timely analysis of PHMSA historical incident and annual data for clients needing to compare their performance against the industry averages, respond to press inquiries, or analyze trends. Contact Jessica Foley for more information.
2016 Pipeline Conference Schedule
Have you registered and confirmed your reservations for these upcoming conferences? RCP will be attending. We hope to see you there! API Pipeline ConferenceApril 5 – 7, 2016Omni La Costa / Carlsbad, CA API’s Pipeline Conference is the premier event of its kind in the U.S. Held every year in April the conference provides attendees…
API Safety Management System (SMS) Tools
If you have not already done so, check out the Pipeline SMS website for documents and tools to assist with your organizations’ SMS. Here’s a sampling of what you can find: Booklets describing the benefits and implementation of a Pipeline SMS to the basic question, “What is a Pipeline SMS?” Pipeline SMS Workshop Materials Pipeline SMS Tools…
API RP1173 Assessment Services
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…
API RP 1174 Assessment
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…
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – Gas & Liquid
APRIL 12-14, 2016 Join us April 12-14, 2016 in Houston at our corporate office and dedicated training facility for an informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance topics. The workshop provides an overview of the DOT pipeline regulations in 49 CFR 191, 192, 194, 195, and 199. It also describes pipeline operations and engineering concepts.…
TRRC New Versions of Form T-4 Adopted and Online
[REVISED 2/22/2016] On February 3, 2016, the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) adopted new versions of the Form T-4, Application for Permit to Operate a Pipeline in Texas (Liquid Pipelines) and Application for Permit to Operate a Pipeline in Texas (Natural Gas Pipelines). The new versions of the Form T-4 now include the Texas Pipeline Questionnaire…
Pipeline Safety Program Reauthorization and Gas Pipeline NPRM
[REVISED 2/22/2016] Both the House and the Senate are moving forward with bills to reauthorize the federal Pipeline Safety Act. The House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on February 25th on reauthorization of the Department of Transportation’s pipeline safety program. There was testimony from the federal safety agency, industry stakeholders,…
PHMSA FAQ-41 TIMP Reassessment Intervals
[REVISED 2/22/2016] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently revised FAQ-41 to reflect the language in the Pipeline Safety Act of 2011. FAQ-41. Does the requirement that gas pipeline operator establish assessment intervals not to exceed a specified number of years mean calendar years (i.e., pipe assessed in 2004 must be re-assessed…
PHMSA Advisory ADB-2016-03 Snow & Ice on Gas Distribution Systems
[DOCKET NO. PHMSA-2016-0013] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2016-03) to advise owners and operators of petroleum gas and natural gas facilities of the need to take the appropriate steps to prevent damage to pipeline facilities from accumulated snow or ice. Past events on natural gas distribution system…
PHMSA Incident and Annual Data Analysis
RCP has designed a Pipeline Database Query tool, PDQ™, which researches gas transmission, gas distribution, or hazardous liquid pipelines based on PHMSA accident or infrastructure data. Have you ever wondered: How does your company stack up against your peers in accident rates? How do you weigh the risk based on the materials and age of…
PHMSA Public Workshop on LNG Regulations May 18-19, 2016
[DOCKET NO. PHMSA- 2016-0005] PHMSA will hold a public workshop to solicit input and information on future regulatory changes to the Part 193 regulations governing liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. According to PHMSA, existing regulations may not adequately incorporate risk-based assessments, process safety practices, and technologies that have been developed since the 1970s when most…
Pipeline Conference Schedule – Spring 2016
Have you registered and confirmed your reservations for the AGA Operations Conference? RCP will be attending. We hope to see you there! AGA Operations ConferenceApril 19 – 22, 2016Arizona Biltmore / Phoenix, AZ The annual AGA Operations Conference is the natural gas industry’s premier gathering of natural gas utility and transmission company operations management from…
National Safe Digging Month
April is National Safe Digging Month (NSDM) and the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) wants to hear about the creative ways that you will be spreading the word about the importance of calling 811 before digging. They’ve created several easy-to-use tools and templates to get you started: Click here to download the NSDM web button. Ask…
Maine Updates Underground Facility Damage Prevention Requirements
Last summer, Maine updated portions of its Underground Facility Damage Prevention Requirements (Maine State Regulations 65-407 Chapter 895) regarding Dig Safe System notifications and OKTODIG database. Effective March 14, 2016, additional updates to the regulation take effect. Excavations must now commence within 30 days of the notification to the Dig Safe System from the previous…
API RP1173 Assessment Services
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…