(ADB-09-02) The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-09-02 to the owners and operators of hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines regarding weldable compression couplings. The background statement in the introduction to the advisory is rather lengthy, and describes numerous factors related to a specific incident in 2007 that resulted…
Uncategorized
Pipeline Training Reference Museum
Ever seen screwed pipe from 1915? A seamless pipe segment from 1917? A slice of 24″ pipe with a 4,620 psi test pressure? Ever wondered what a 3.5″ ANSI 1500# bolt really looks like? Need a good example of the effects of MIC corrosion? Slotting corrosion? Weld cracking? How about a 20″ pipeline that was…
Pressure Test Certification
RCP is an industry leader when it comes to ensuring that pipeline pressure tests are professionally executed. We consistently provide convincing, time tested arguments that a line can be safely operated as defined by CFR 49 Parts 192 and 195. RCP owns and utilizes a proprietary pressure test model that evaluates test pressure, temperature and…
Pipeline Pressure Testing Workshop: January 13-14, 2015
RCP is now offering a 2-day Pipeline Pressure Testing Workshop at its facilities in downtown Houston. RCP has established itself as a leading industry expert on pipeline pressure testing with clients securing RCP’s services specifically to validate their pressure tests. Our Pressure Testing Workshop will begin by outlining the objectives for performing a pressure test…
Underwater Inspection Procedures & Inspection Interval Risk Model Updates
Now that Hurricane season is almost over, this is a reminder to those that have UIP and IIRM plans that you may want to review them soon. RCP’s latest Inspection Interval Risk Model (IIRM) has been improved to include additional inspection trigger results for hazardous liquid pipelines that cross navigable waterways within Inlets of the…
Pipeline Safety Trust Meeting
New Orleans – Nov 20-21, 2014 The Pipeline Safety Trust will once again gather pipeline operators, regulators, local governments and concerned citizens in the French Quarter of New Orleans to talk all things pipeline safety. Due to the increasing popularity of the conference, the meeting venue has moved to the Royal Sonesta Hotel, providing significantly…
PHMSA NPMS Public Meeting
Arlington, VA – Nov. 17 PHMSA is holding a public meeting on November 17 to discuss the proposed information collection for the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS). PHMSA issued an Information Collection Notice (OMB Control No. 2137-0596) on 7/30/14. Comments are due by 12/1/14. The primary goals of the public meeting are to: Provide an…
TRRC Chapter 8 Pipeline Safety Adopts Farm Tap Regulations
The Railroad Commission of Texas (TRRC) adopted amendments to §8.1, relating to General Applicability and Standards, to update federal provisions and citations, and to §8.215, relating to Odorization of Gas, to clarify an exemption for certain farm tap odorizers. The TRRC revised its regulations to clarify that wick-type farm tap odorizers are exempt from certain…
Bored Reading the Federal Register? Try Texas.
The front cover and blank filler pages of the Texas Register are decorated with artwork from students in grades K-12. The drawings dress up the otherwise gray pages and introduce students to this obscure but important facet of state government. Editor’s Note: These children’s drawings are not to be confused with work products from the…
Illinois Pipeline Regulation Update
On November 7, 2014 the Illinois Commerce Commission released a Notice of Proposed Amendment that changed the date of the 49 CFR 192 incorporated by reference from January 1, 2013 to October 1, 2014 to capture recent revisions to the federal regulations. In addition to incorporating the new federal regulation amendments, the proposed state change…
API RP1173 Draft Pipeline Safety Management System
A final draft is ready for approval and public comment on the Pipeline Safety Management System Recommended Practice (RP), API 1173 (PSMS). This is the second ballot and will result in a new document (1st Edition). Comments are due by December 20, 2014 and will be accepted online at http://ballots.api.org/login.aspx. The ballot ID number is…
PHMSA Study of Impact of One-Call Exemptions
Under the requirements of Section 3 of the 2011 Pipeline Safety Legislation, The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) was required to conduct a study on the impact of excavation damage on pipeline safety. The study was to include an analysis on the frequency and severity of different types of excavation damage, including…
PHMSA Revised O&M Enforcement Guidance
On October 30, 2014 The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) posted updated guidance for inspectors to use during inspections for Gas and Liquid Operations Manuals. This guidance is meant to help with consistency in inspections. The guidance describes the practices used by PHMSA inspectors and other enforcement personnel when undertaking their official…
PHMSA Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2014-05) Guidance for Strengthening Pipeline Safety through Rigorous Program Evaluation & Meaningful Metrics
[Docket No. PHMSA-2014-0086] The Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Advisory Bulletin to owners and operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines that PHMSA has developed guidance on the elements and characteristics of a mature Integrity Management (IM) program evaluation process using meaningful metrics. This document, “Guidance for Strengthening Pipeline Safety through…
Pipeline Safety Trust Meeting in New Orleans New Orleans – Nov 21-22, 2013
Join us in New Orleans for the 8th annual Pipeline Safety Trust Conference. RCP’s President, Bill Byrd, will participate in a “Food for Thought” session at 10 am on Thursday concerning consequences as part of pipeline risk management. Personal note from your beloved newsletter editor: the response to my “Buy Bill a Beer by Proxy”…
Excavation Damage Prevention Toolbox
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) launched the Excavation Damage Prevention (DP) Toolbox on Wednesday, October 9th during their Damage Prevention Workshop in Houston, TX. The toolbox was compiled by a team of liquids pipeline damage prevention specialists who shared numerous damage prevention practices across more than a dozen…
Louisiana Hydrocarbon Storage Wells in Salt Dome Cavities – Proposed Rule Change
(LAC 43:XVII.Chapter 3) The Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation proposes to amend LAC 43:XVII. Chapter 3. The proposed action will adopt Statewide Order No. 29-M (Revision 3), which provides comprehensive regulations for hydrocarbon storage wells in salt dome cavities, and will amend existing Statewide Order No. 29-M, as enacted by Act 368 and…
Arkansas Gas Regulations
On October 8, 2013 the Arkansas Public Service Commission updated the following sections of their gas regulations to match the latest version of 49 CFR 191: 191.7 Addressee for Written Reports 191.11 Distribution System: Annual Report 191.15 Transmission Systems, Gathering Systems, and Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities: Incident Report (changed reporting to 30 days from detection…
Advisory Bulletin – Reminder of Requirements for LPG Pipeline Systems
[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0097] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued advisory bulletin ADB-2013-03 to Owners and Operators of LPG and Utility LP-Gas Plants concerning the Requirements for Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Utility Liquefied Petroleum Gas Pipeline Systems. PHMSA published an Advisory Bulletin in the Federal Register on July 18, 2013, (78 FR…
PHMSA Public Meeting on Pipeline Data January 7 – 8, 2013 Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
[Docket ID PHMSA–2012–0244] The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) meeting on Pipeline Data that was originally scheduled for October 29 & 30 has been rescheduled for January 7 & 8, 2013. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss how pipeline data is currently used by stakeholders and identify potential improvements in pipeline…