[Released April 8, 2019] The American Gas Association (AGA) published a white paper, “Skills and Experience for Effectively Designing Natural Gas Systems,” that provides guidance to operators on workforce knowledge, skills and communications. The report details a tiered approach to developing a foundational understanding of natural gas systems, improving knowledge about operator-specific processes and procedures,…
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One Call Concepts Withdraws from the State of Texas (Lone Star 811)
After nearly 26 years operating in Texas, One Call Concepts (OCC) has notified the One Call Board of Texas, the Lone Star 811 employees and all other affected parties that they will cease operating Lone Star 811 on July 31, 2019. OCC intends to work with TX811 to ensure a smooth transition. If you have…
ASME Pipeline Geo-Environmental Design and Geohazard Management
[Second Edition, 2019] ASME has released the Second Edition of “Pipeline Geo-Environmental Design and Geohazard Management.” The management of pipeline geohazards is a topic of continuing technical development as the industry plans, designs, constructs and operates pipelines in increasingly rugged terrain. At 800 pages, this Second Edition is a considerable expansion from the 2008 ASME…
Steve Nowaczewski Joins RCP’s Underground Gas Storage Team
Steve Nowaczewski has joined RCP’s Underground Gas Storage Team. If you have been in the storage industry, you probably already know Steve. He has spent over 35 years in the industry developing and operating underground natural gas storage facilities in North America. Steve is an industry leader, including co-chairing the task group that developed API…
PHMSA Posts Updated Civil Penalty Summary
On February 25th 2019, PHMSA posted a general overview of how civil penalty calculations are derived following an inspection or investigation of a pipeline facility that reveals a probable violation. Several factors are listed as Assessment Considerations, along with various ranges of conduct and civil penalties. As of November 27, 2018, under 49 U.S.C. §…
DOT Issues Notice to Review Guidance Documents
The Office of Secretary of Transportation published a Notice in the Federal Register on February 5th seeking public comment on whether departmental guidance documents should be updated. For PHMSA, these guidance documents include Frequently Asked Questions, Enforcement Guidance, Letters of Interpretation and Advisory Bulletins. These documents can serve a number of purposes including: (1) Clarifying…
2019 Industry 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! API Pipeline Conference and Control Room ForumApril 9-11, 2019Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Hotel, Phoenix, AZ API’s Pipeline Conference is the premier event of its kind in the U.S. Held every year…
April is National Safe Digging Month
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is a member-driven association of individuals, organizations and sponsors in every facet of the underground utility industry. CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. Damage prevention starts with one phone call, and since 2007 the phone number for that…
Colorado Damage Prevention State Law Updates
[Colorado Register, Vol. 42, No. 6, 03/25/2019 Tracking Number 2019-00070] The Colorado Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission Regulations 7 CCR 1101-8 became effective on February 14, 2019. These regulations are to establish rules for the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission (Safety Commission) responsibilities within the Excavation Requirements Act §§ 9-1.5-101, et. seq., C.R.S. (the Act).…
PHMSA Special Notice: Identifying Pipeline Safety Research Gaps
On Friday, March 8, 2019, PHMSA released a special notice allowing any interested stakeholder to submit ideas for future research. This notice will be open year round and revised every six months to reflect further guidance for interested stakeholders. PHMSA is conducting this action to widen the participation in formulating its research program future strategy. …
PHMSA Enforcement Discretion Regarding Farm Taps
[Docket ID: PHMSA-2018-0086] PHMSA announced it was exercising enforcement discretion with respect to portions of a final rule issued January 23, 2017, that pertain to individual service lines directly connected to a natural gas transmission, gathering, or production pipeline (farm taps). The January 23, 2017, final rule exempted these lines from PHMSA regulations requiring operators…
Pressure Testing Webinar – Advantages of Using TestOp®
RCP will be hosting webinar presentations to discuss pipeline pressure testing practices and demonstrate the advantages of utilizing new technology for planning, designing, and capturing real-time data to validate and document whether it was a successful test. The same technology that RCP has used for the past six years to validate our customer’s pressure tests…
RCP Workshops – Which one should I attend?
Introduction to DOT Pipeline RegulationsThe DOT pipeline workshop covers federal regulatory requirements and their applicability to both hazardous liquid and natural gas gathering, transmission, and distribution pipeline operators. It is appropriate for people who are new to pipeline regulations, need a refresher course or better understanding of current and pending DOT rule makings as well…
NEW 1-Day Pressure Test Design & Analysis
RCP is now offering a 1-Day Pressure Test Design & Analysis Workshop at its facilities in downtown Houston. This workshop is appropriate for all those responsible for the design, execution and/or evaluation of any type of pipeline pressure test on liquid or gas pipelines whether it be new construction or in-situ. With specific focus on…
2019 Industry Conference Schedule
(JANUARY THRU MAY) Have you registered and confirmed your reservations for these upcoming conferences? RCP will be attending the following conferences. We hope to see you there! PIPELINE PIGGING AND INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT (PPIM) CONFERENCEFebruary 18-21, 2019George R. Brown Convention Center, HoustonRCP Booth #406 / Be our Guest and Click Here for a Free Exhibition Pass. Members…
CEPA Foundation and INGAA Foundation release “The Practical Guide for Facility Inspectors”
[PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2018] The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) Foundation and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Foundation released “The Practical Guide for Facility Inspectors,” designed to provide guidance to personnel who inspect a company’s construction of facilities.
Texas Railroad Commission Pipeline Mileage Fees Due April 1, 2019
Operators of intrastate pipelines that begin and end in Texas, placing them under the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) pipeline safety regulation, can get a jump on 2019 pipeline mileage fees due April 1, 2019 by preparing now. The annual pipeline mileage fee is one of two fees authorized by the 85th Texas Legislature in…
New Mexico Pipeline Safety Excavation Damage Prevention
[TITLE 18.60.5 NMAC / CASE #18-00262-PL] Effective January 15, 2019 the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission updated requirements regarding excavation area locate requests pertaining to the state One-Call system. Excavators must now contact the one-call notification system 2 working days prior to any excavation reasonably expected to take more than 15 days. This replaces the…
Proposed Changes to Oklahoma Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Regulations
[CAUSE NO. RM 201800020 / NUMBER 165:20 – GAS & HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE SAFETY] The Transportation Division of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (“Commission”) recommended that the Commission amend the Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety rules that are set forth in the Oklahoma Administrative Code (“OAC”) 165:20. The proposed rules from December 20, 2018, have…
Missouri Updated Chapter 40 Gas Regulations
The Missouri Public Service Commission has updated its regulations for Gas Utilities and Gas Safety Standards, effective January 30, 2019. The updates included: New and revised definitions. Clarifying that the PHMSA additional design and construction requirements for steel pipe using alternative maximum allowable operating pressure are not adopted for state requirements. Added conditions and requirements…