The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) is hosting an Arctic/Cold Regions Oil Pipeline Conference on September 17 – 19, 2013 at the Dena’ina Conference Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The Conference will provide a forum for established operators, governmental agencies, and private contractors to share information regarding the unique challenges associated with the construction and…
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Transportation Workers Identification Credentials (TWIC) Card Renewal
If you hold a TWIC that expires on or before December 31, 2014 and you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. national you will be able to replace your expiring TWIC with a 3-year Extended Expiration Date (EED) TWIC. To order an EED TWIC or a card replacement, you may contact the UES Call Center…
Colorado Potential Proposed Rules
On July 17, 2013 Steve Pott made a presentation to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) which touched on gas gathering and “Who Regulates Pipelines?” The Pipeline Safety Staff presentation included information on the Pipeline Certification Program and the cooperative agreement between PHMSA and the Colorado Public Utility Commissions (CPUC). Items to note…
TRRC Proposed Amendments 16 TAC §8.201 – 20 More Inspectors?
The Railroad Commission of Texas (TRRC) proposes to amend 16 TAC §8.201, relating to Pipeline Safety and Regulatory Program Fees, to implement provisions of Senate Bill 1, 83rd Legislature (2013). Senate Bill 1 authorizes 20 additional full-time equivalent employees for pipeline safety activities, including inspection of intrastate pipeline and pipeline facilities, with an appropriation of…
API RP 1169 Inspection of New Pipeline Construction 1st Edition
API published the first edition of API RP 1169 Recommended Practice for Basic Inspection Requirements – New Pipeline Construction. This recommended practice (RP) covers the basic requirements and their associated references needed to perform inspection activities safely and effectively during construction of new onshore pipelines. Use of this document will provide the basis for what…
PHMSA NPRM Periodic Updates of Regulatory References to Technical Standards & Misc. Amendments
[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0337] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) posted a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the pipeline safety regulations to incorporate by reference all or parts of new, updated, or reaffirmed editions of voluntary consensus standards that are available on the Internet, free-of-charge, to the public. PHMSA is also…
PHMSA ADB 2013-04 Leak Repair Clamp Recall
[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0185] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB 2013-04 to alert all pipeline operators of a T.D. Williamson, Inc. (TDW) Leak Repair Clamp (LRC) recall issued by TDW on June 17, 2013. The recall covers all TDW LRCs of any pressure class and any size. The LRCs…
PHMSA Advisory Committee Meetings Oct. 21-22
[Docket No. PHMSA-2014-0124] 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 will meet in joint session on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Wednesday,…
PHMSA Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2014-04) Flow Reversals
[Docket No. PHMSA-2014-0040] The Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Advisory Bulletin to all operators of hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines of the potential significant impact flow reversals, product changes and conversion to service may have on the integrity of a pipeline. Failures on natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines have…
PHMSA Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2014-03): 60 Day Construction Notification
[Docket No. PHMSA-2014-0017] The Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Advisory Bulletin to all owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to provide further clarification regarding the notification(s) required prior to certain construction-related events. The gas and liquid regulations in 49 CFR 191.22(c)(1) and 195.64(c)(1) require each operator to notify PHMSA…
New Mexico Public Hearing on Proposed Damage Prevention Rule Changes
New Mexico is the latest state to propose changes to its damage prevention rules and regulations. The proposed rulemaking is scheduled for a public hearing on September 24, 2014 at the offices of the Commission located in the 4th Floor Hearing Room of the old PERA Building, at 1120 Paseo de Peralta, in Santa Fe.…
Maine Public Utilities Commission Hearing on Damage Prevention
[Docket No. 2014-00248] The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will hold a public hearing on September 24, 2014, 10:00 a.m. at the Public Utilities Commission, 101 Second Street, Hallowell, Maine, to consider proposed amendments to the Commission’s Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Requirements rule (Ch. 895) pursuant to recently enacted legislation, PL 2013, ch. 557. Comments…
Coast Guard Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Increasing OPA Liability Limits
[Docket No. USCG-2013-1006] The Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking that would increase the limits of liability for vessels, deepwater ports, and onshore facilities, under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as amended (OPA 90), to reflect significant increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For onshore facilities, the Coast Guard proposes to…
PHMSA Revision to Gas Distribution Annual Report
Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0004] On April 28, 2014, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a notice in the Federal Register (79 FR 23403) of its intent to revise the gas distribution annual report (PHMSA F7100.1-1) to improve the granularity of the data collected. (See…
PHMSA Drug & Alcohol Management Information System CY 2021
[Docket No. PHMSA–2020–0135] PHMSA has determined that the minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees will remain at 50 percent during calendar year 2021. The notice also reminds operators to report contractor management information system data using PHMSA supplemental instructions, and the method operators should use to obtain a user name and password for…
Florida Update: Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety
Florida has updated the state’s damage prevention regulations with enhanced enforcement provisions. Civil penalties have increased for certain violations and additional enforcement review will be conducted each year by the Sunshine State One-Call of Florida, Inc. To view Florida’s revised State Damage Prevention Regulation, click here.
Job Opening – INGAA, Director of Pipeline Safety
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) is recruiting for a new Director of Pipeline Safety after the recent announcement of Christopher “C.J.” Osman as its new Vice President of Government Affairs. The Director of Pipeline Safety will be responsible for leading all aspects of INGAA’s pipeline safety policy and advocacy effort. The director’s…
Regulator & Meter Station MAOP Field Validation
RCP’s MAOP validation includes field data collection, historical document review, producing standard drawings, and uploading station data to MaxOp, the industry-leading MAOP confirmation and reporting application. For each site, RCP takes photos and measurements of all above ground piping and components. Pressure ratings of components are confirmed where available. Ultrasonic readings are taken to confirm…
In Memory
It is with sadness that we share the news that Larry Decker passed away last month. Larry spent 40 years in the pipeline industry providing engineering, design, and construction management for many high profile pipeline projects in the U.S., Algeria, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Africa, including the Trans Alaska Pipeline System. His friends and associates…
PHMSA NPRM Class Location Change Requirements
[Docket No. PHMSA–2017–0151] On October 14, 2020, PHMSA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to address the requirements for gas transmission pipeline segments that experience a change in class location. Public comments are due by December 14, 2020, and may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Include Docket No. PHMSA–2017–0151. Under the existing…