PHMSA has developed a new online Code of Federal Regulations (oCFR) mobile application. The oCFR app was released to both Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store for use on iOS and Android mobile devices, and is free. The oCFR app provides the ability to search, view and navigate PHMSA’s Hazardous Materials Regulations in…
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Underground Gas Storage Compliance
How does RCP deliver a comprehensive solution for natural gas storage operational integrity assurance? Experienced Resources Highly respected underground storage & risk management SME’s (the past Chair of PRCI’s and AGA’s underground storage committees is on our staff) Professional engineering support Written program development / improvement from knowledgeable technical standards developers (Our lead technical writer…
PHMSA’s UGS Petition for Reconsideration
[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0016] On December 19, 2016, PHMSA issued its Underground Natural Gas Storage (UGS) Interim Final Rule (IFR) regulations. The rules apply to all existing and newly constructed underground natural gas storage facilities including solution mined salt caverns, depleted reservoirs, and aquifer storage facilities. The IFR incorporates by reference two API RPs: (1) API…
Meanwhile, Back on the Farm…
According to the PHMSA Pipeline enforcement activity website, PHMSA has initiated 125 new enforcement cases in the first 6 months of 2017 (for an annual rate of 250 cases a year). This compares to 164 cases in 2016, 197 cases in 2015, and 154 cases in 2014. The lesson is clear. While new rulemaking activity…
Be on the Lookout for 811 Day Events in Your Area
811 is the nationwide number that excavators can call to reach their local “one call” center, which alerts the operators of buried utilities in the planned excavation area to go out and mark the location of their facilities (such as pipelines) before the excavator starts digging. The 811 system is similar to the better-known 911…
PHMSA Pipeline Safety Research and Development Forum
Research Announcement (RA) # DTPH56-17-RA-00002 The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) is now soliciting for new pipeline safety research, white papers on individual projects addressing key pipeline challenges, and cover emerging areas of underground natural gas storage and LNG. The November 2016 Pipeline R&D Forum identified several technical gaps as potential new research…
Underground Gas Storage Compliance
How does RCP deliver a comprehensive solution for natural gas storage operational integrity assurance? Experienced Resources Highly respected underground storage & risk management SME’s (the past Chair of PRCI’s and AGA’s underground storage committees is on our staff) Professional engineering support Written program development / improvement from knowledgeable technical standards developers (Our lead technical writer…
PHMSA Extends Due Date for UGS Annual Report Submission
PHMSA is extending the due date for the first submission of the annual report for Underground Natural Gas Storage facilities. PHMSA regulations at 49 CFR 191.17 require operators of underground natural gas storage facilities to submit an annual report by July 18, 2017. PHMSA is extending the due date for the submission of Calendar Year…
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…
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! 2017 RRC/PHMSA Pipeline Safety TrainingSeptember 20-22, 2017Embassy Suites, San Antonio Riverwalk PHMSA will have trainers available to talk about various aspects of the Pipeline Safety Rules in place at the time…
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – Gas & Liquid
October 24-26, 2017 Join us October 24-26, 2017 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…
New Excavation Safety Video for Farmers
The Pipeline Operators for Ag Safety (POAS) have produced an entertaining and informative video featuring the Peterson Farm Brothers, young farmers and YouTube stars, talking (OK… rapping) to other farmers about the need to call 811 before digging. POAS encourages all pipeline operators to incorporate this video and other messaging in their outreach activities to…
President Nominates New PHMSA Administrator
President Donald J. Trump has announced his intent to nominate Howard R. “Skip” Elliott as Administrator of PHMSA. Mr. Elliott has 40 years of experience in the freight rail industry, and is currently the group Vice President of Public Safety, Health, Environment and Security for CSX Transportation. According to the White House announcement, Elliott’s “portfolio…
PHMSA Announces New Deputy Administrator
Ms. Drue Pearce was named the Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) effective August 7. She is a former Alaska state representative and senator, and Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System Projects. Ms. Pearce also served on PHMSA’s Technical Hazardous Pipeline Safety Standards Committee. Most recently, Ms. Pearce…
MAOP Validation Services
RCP is the market leader in providing MAOP Validation Services, including over 100,000 miles of gas and liquid pipeline analysis and support. Whether you are just getting started, need help finishing, or not sure what to do next, RCP has a wealth of experienced professional engineers and support staff to assist in your MAOP validation…
Gas and Liquid Technical Advisory Committee Meetings
[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0136] Due to the impact of Hurricane Harvey, PHMSA has postponed the public meetings of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) and a joint meeting of the GPAC and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Liquid Pipeline Advisory…
Temporary Licenses for Texas Professional Engineering
To help mitigate the impact of Hurricane Harvey, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers has developed and passed an emergency rule providing for the issuing of Emergency Temporary Licenses. Board Rule 22 TAC § 133.12 provides for the issuance of Emergency Temporary Licenses to engineers licensed in good standing in another US State or Territory…
TRRC Operator Qualification and Drug Testing Waiver
The Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) announced several actions to speed recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Harvey. Pipeline operators that need to request an emergency waiver of 49 CFR §§ 199.105 (relating to pre-employment and random drug testing for all pipeline workers), Subpart N of 49 CFR Part 192 (relating to qualification of pipeline personnel),…
RCP Employee Featured in Hurricane Harvey Response Article
Our thanks go out to RCP’s Director of Technical Services, Michael Berg, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in his volunteer efforts after Hurricane Harvey. In addition to leading major projects for RCP and being the father of three (and husband of one), in his “spare” time he is the president…
Coastal and Marine Safety, Prevention and Emergency Response Meeting
October 11, 2017 – Luling, LA The Coastal and Marine Operators (CAMO) group was developed several years ago with a goal to diminish the gap between onshore and offshore spills, releases, and pipeline damage prevention. CAMO is hosting this Coastal and Marine Safety, Prevention and Emergency Response Meeting on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, from 11:00…