May 17 – 18, 2017 Join us May 17-18, 2017 in Houston at our corporate office and dedicated training facility for this new workshop on the fundamentals of pipeline operations. This 2-day course is designed to give a comprehensive overview of gas and liquid energy transmission pipelines and how they are operated and maintained. It…
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PHMSA Advisory Bulletin: Guidance on Training and Qualifications for the Integrity Management Program (ADB-2017-02)
[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0067] PHMSA issued a new Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2017-02) for operators of natural gas transmission pipelines, outlining their expectations for qualifications of personnel who perform or supervise integrity management activities. PHMSA inspectors will use this Advisory Bulletin to clarify the intent of existing regulatory language when evaluating operator IM program personnel training and qualification…
PHMSA Deactivation of Threats Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2017-01)
Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0131 PHMSA has issued an advisory bulletin ADB-2017-01 to inform owners and operators of gas transmission pipelines that PHMSA has issued guidance on threat identification and the minimum criteria for deactivation of threats as well as guidance regarding documenting rationale of analyses, justifications, determinations, and decisions related to threat identification. According to ASME…
Construction of Pipelines Using Domestic Steel
[Docket No. 170309252-7252-01] The Department of Commerce (DOC) is seeking information on the construction and maintenance of American pipelines. This information will help the Department develop a plan for the domestic sourcing of materials for the construction, retrofitting, repair, and expansion of pipelines inside the U.S. as directed by the January 24, 2017 Presidential Memorandum…
Comments Filed: Proposed Safety of Gas Transmission and Gathering Pipelines
Three industry associations have filed joint comments to PHMSA regarding the proposed rulemaking for the Safety of Gas Transmission and Gathering Pipelines. AGA, API and INGAA filed comments, including proposed redlines for the topics that were covered at the first Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee meeting. These topics include: Transmission Integrity Management reassessment intervals Continuing surveillance…
Underground Gas Storage User Fees
[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0092] PHMSA issued a notice to Underground Gas Storage operators on how it plans to assess annual user fees. PHMSA will use working-gas capacity as the basis for the user-fee rate structure. PHMSA will use the working-gas capacity values from the most recent Form EIA-191 Monthly Underground Natural Gas Storage Report. PHMSA will…
Reminder – Registration by May 19 for Public Awareness Study (PAPERS)
Operators are encouraged to register by May 19 for participation in the 2017 Public Awareness Program Effectiveness Research Study (PAPERS). PAPERS is a national public awareness effectiveness survey developed and sponsored by API, AOPL and INGAA to assist pipeline operators in meeting the regulatory requirements for effectiveness measurement and evaluation of public awareness programs. The…
Fundamentals of Pipeline Operations Workshop
May 17 – 18, 2017 Join us May 17-18, 2017 in Houston at our corporate office and dedicated training facility for this new workshop on the fundamentals of pipeline operations. This 2-day course is designed to give a comprehensive overview of gas and liquid energy transmission pipelines and how they are operated and maintained. It…
EPA Soliciting Recommendations on Regulations that could be Repealed, Replaced or Modified to make them Less Burdensome
On February 24, 2017, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 13777 on “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda.” The order establishes the policy of the United States to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens placed on the American people. Among other things, it requires each agency to create a Regulatory Reform Task Force to evaluate existing regulations and…
NEB Safety Advisory on Pipeline Fitting Materials Quality Assurance
On April 12, 2017, the National Energy Board (NEB) of Canada issued a Safety Advisory NEB SA 2016-01A – Pipeline Fitting Materials Quality Assurance. It states, in part: “The National Energy Board (NEB or the Board) is aware of instances of pipe and components not meeting material specifications on pipelines under NEB or other regulatory…
Texas Liquids Pipeline Regulation Change
The Texas Railroad Commission has published revisions to Title 16, Part 01 / 008; Subchapter 8D – Requirements for Hazardous Liquids and Carbon Dioxide Pipelines Only. The revisions include: Changing the e-mail address from Safety@rrc.state.tx.us to safety@rrc.texas.gov. Minor revisions to the Public Education and Liaison section 8.310 regarding annual liaison requirements with fire, police, and…
PHMSA Inflation Adjustment of Maximum Civil Penalties
[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0010; Amdt. No. 190-17] The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is revising references in its regulations to the maximum civil penalties for violations of Federal pipeline safety laws, or any PHMSA regulations or orders issued thereunder. Under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, which further amended…
Industry Workshops
API Liquids Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS) Conformance WorkshopJune 13, 2017Hyatt Regency Houston Galleria The organizers of the 2017 API Liquids PSMS Conformance Workshop are pleased to announce that the Workshop is open to all interested parties and therefore, not limited to operating companies only. AGA Transmission Integrity Management WorkshopJune 13-14, 2017Omni Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA…
California Proposed Requirements for Underground Gas Storage Projects
Title 14, Chapter 4 On May 19th, the Department of Conservation (DOC) proposed new regulations to further enhance the safe operation of natural gas storage facilities in California. “We believe these will be seen as the most comprehensive and stringent regulations for underground gas storage in the nation,” said Ken Harris, who as State Oil…
Pipeline Pressure Testing Workshop: June 20 – 21, 2017
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…
Summer 2017 Pipeline Conference Schedule
Have you registered and confirmed your reservations for these upcoming conferences? RCP will be attending the following conferences. We hope to see you there! ILTA’s 2017 International Operating Conference & Trade ShowJune 12-14, 2017George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas The International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) annual international operating conference and trade show offers…
Advisory Committee Vacancies – Request for Nominations
[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0033] PHMSA is requesting nominations for individuals to serve on the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), also known as the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, and the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC), also known as the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee. Each committee is composed of 15 members each appointed by…
Fundamentals of Pipeline Operations Workshop
September 13-14, 2017 Join us September 13-14, 2017 in Houston at our corporate office and dedicated training facility for this new workshop on the fundamentals of pipeline operations. This 2-day course is designed to give a comprehensive overview of gas and liquid energy transmission pipelines and how they are operated and maintained. It is appropriate…
PHMSA VIS Meeting Notice
[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0128] PHMSA held a public meeting of the Voluntary Information-Sharing System (VIS) Working Group on June 29th and 30th to continue the discussion on the need for, and the identification of, a voluntary information-sharing system. The meeting documents presented will be available on the meeting website and posted on the E-Gov website under…
PHMSA Conducts 2nd GPAC Meeting for Safety of Gas Transmission & Gathering Pipelines NPRM
PHMSA conducted the 2nd Gas Piping Advisory Committee (GPAC) meeting to discuss certain elements of the gas transmission and gathering NPRM. All presentations and transcripts can be found here. The GPAC voted on the following NPRM topics: Corrosion Control – 192.319; Subpart I; Appendix D; 192.935(f) & (g) Records – 192.13(e); 192.5(d); 192.67; 192.127; 192.205;…