Docket ID BOEM-2010-0046; RIN 1010-AD15 The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) has finalized regulations to require operators to develop and implement Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS) for oil and gas and sulphur operations in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This rulemaking will incorporate in its entirety and make mandatory the…
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Pipeline Regulations for iPhone
At our request, Tekk Innovations has developed an iPhone application containing the federal pipeline safety regulations (49 CFR 40, and 190-199). It has keyword search and the capability to e-mail excerpts of the regulations to others. The app can be found in the iTunes store by searching for “pipeline regulations” or by clicking here. The…
ASME Conference
November 18, 2009 Attend the International Mechanical Engineering Conference and Exhibition for the Safety Engineering, Risk Analysis and Reliability Methods (SERAD) presentations track, co-chaired by our president Bill Byrd, on November 18, 2009. At the conference, you will get unique insights into engineering’s cutting-edge research and development and how it will determine the evolution of…
Joint Workshop on New Spill Reporting Forms for the Hazardous Liquids Pipeline Industry
Both the industry’s Pipeline Performance Tracking System (PPTS) reporting forms and the PHMSA 7000-1 have undergone significant changes. There is new reporting in the areas of integrity and control room management in the 7000-1, as well as enhanced reporting for some failures, and expanded cause detail. This forum will provide a one-stop shop for explanations…
Florida Pipeline Safety Regulations – Misc. Proposed Revisions
The Florida Public Service Commission is proposing to make several minor changes and updates to their pipeline safety regulations. The proposed changes include adopting more recent federal pipeline safety regulations, incorporating a newer welding standard, and increasing the dollar amount for reporting accidents to the Commission. Various minor changes include adding clarifying language, deleting references…
New Jersey Pipeline Regulations – Misc. Revisions
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has made numerous changes to their natural gas pipeline safety regulations, as of October 19, 2009. These regulations can be found in Chapter 7 of Title 14 of the New Jersey State regulations. The revisions include changes to pipeline siting, construction supervision, directional drilling, pressure testing, burial, backfilling,…
PHMSA Advisory Committee Meeting – Advance notice
We have received notice that PHMSA plans to hold a joint session of the hazardous liquid and natural gas technical pipeline safety advisory committee members from noon December 9 until noon December 10. The advisory committee members will vote on the proposed rules “Updates to Pipeline and Liquefied Natural Gas Reporting (the One Rule)” and…
PHMSA Adds New Liquid IMP FAQ #12.13
12.13 Are Safety-Related Condition Reports required to be filed when an operator implements a pressure reduction for an immediate repair per §195.452(h)(4)(i)? The requirements for safety-related condition reports are distinct from those for integrity management. Where the provisions of §195.55 require a report, such report must be made independent of any requirements in the integrity…
PHMSA Updates FAQ’s for Alternative MAOP Regulations
PHMSA has posted several updates to the list of frequently asked questions concerning the Alternative MAOP regulations found under 49 CFR 192.620. The latest revisions are posted below. To download a complete list of these FAQ’s, go to the following website: http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/maop/docsf/faqs.pdf. 1. What is the alternative MAOP Rule? The alternate MAOP Rule was promulgated…
Compliance Management System
We’ve developed and successfully implemented an extremely powerful, affordable and simple-to-use web-based application that will streamline how you manage compliance activities and associated data. Some of the features of this application include: Web-based subscription with no “black-box” technology or license agreement hassles to work through GIS data interface is easily configured, allowing for reporting of…
ANPRM on PHMSA Enforcement of Damage Prevention Laws
[Docket No. PHMSA-2009-0192] PHMSA has published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to initiate a rulemaking procedure to establish criteria for determining adequate state enforcement of pipeline damage prevention laws. Under the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Safety, and Enforcement (PIPES) Act of 2006, establishment of these criteria is a prerequisite should PHMSA find it necessary…
New RCP Pipeline Pressure Testing Workshop August 26 & 27
For the first time, RCP is offering a 2-day workshop on Pipeline Pressure Testing. RCP personnel have established themselves as industry experts, designing, implementing and validating pressure test programs for various operators. Recent PHMSA advisories and pending regulations will soon mandate pressure tests for operating gas and liquid pipelines that have not previously been subjected…
Send us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses of Pipeline Samples, yearning to breathe free.
Is your pipeline company merging? Divesting? Moving? Are old hands retiring, and clearing out their offices? No matter the reason, if you have interesting pipeline samples that need a new home, please let us know. We do training frequently, and would like to have physical pipe samples of corrosion, cracking, welding defects, seam defects, etc.…
Spring/Summer Conference Schedule
Have you registered and confirmed your reservations for these upcoming conferences? RCP and RCP Integrity Services will be attending. We hope to see you there! AGA Operations Conference 2014 May 20 -23, 2014 Omni William Penn, Pittsburgh, PA The annual AGA Operations Conference is the natural gas industry’s premier gathering of natural gas utility and…
RCP Integrity Services Adds More Experience to its Roster
Sheri Baucom recently joined RCP Integrity Services as Project Manager. Her experience in the industry will be an asset in providing InLine Inspection (ILI) total project management to our clients. Her areas of expertise include: In-Line Inspection, pressure testing, cathodic protection, corrosion analysis, Direct Assessment (External Corrosion DA, Internal Corrosion DA, Stress Corrosion Cracking DA),…
Pipeline 101 Website Revision Live
API and AOPL have overhauled an educational website about liquid pipelines. Available at www.pipeline101.org and www.pipeline101.com, the site addresses foundational questions: Why Do We Need Pipelines? How Do Pipelines Work? Where Are Pipelines Located? Are Pipelines Safe? How Can You Help With Safety? The site discusses the different types of pipelines, the products they transport,…
Ohio Public Utilities Commission Pipeline Safety Regulation Updates
The Ohio Public Utilities Commission has recently updated their pipeline safety regulations. The new regulation requires that “gas gathering/processing plant pipeline operators shall comply with the applicable pipe design requirements of 49 CFR 192(C), as effective on the date referenced in paragraph (D) of rule 4901:1-16-02 of the Administrative Code, for all gas gathering pipelines…
Texas Workshops on Regulation of Class 1 and Rural Gathering
House Bill 2982, 83rd Texas Legislature directed the Railroad Commission to regulate gathering lines in Class 1 and rural locations based on risk. The Pipeline Safety Division will be hosting a series of workshops, conducted by Polly McDonald, Director of the Pipeline Safety Division, to discuss the implementation of this new responsibility. The workshops will…
PHMSA Class Location Workshop
[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023] The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) held a public workshop on April 16th to explore whether applying the integrity management (IM) requirements beyond high consequence area (HCAs) would mitigate the need for class location requirements. Locations along gas pipelines are divided into classes from 1 (rural) to 4 (densely populated)…
NTSB Report on PHMSA’s State Pipeline Safety Program
[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023] The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published their report on PHMSA’s state pipeline safety program, as a result of a previous recommendation related to the San Bruno incident. NTSB assessed PHMSA’s (1) policies and procedures for managing its State Pipeline Safety Program, including guidelines to participating States, and (2) oversight of…