[Docket ID PHMSA-2011-0125] Recent pipeline incidents involving seam weld anomalies and gaps in data and recordkeeping are driving a stronger focus on better managing these challenges. PHMSA is holding important public meetings to discuss its review of inspection reporting and incident findings in these areas. In addition, these public meetings are part of PHMSA’s efforts…
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State of the National Pipeline Infrastructure Report
[Docket No. PHMSA–2011–0127] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a Preliminary report on the “State of the National Pipeline Infrastructure.” This preliminary report serves as an introduction to what is known about our nation’s pipeline infrastructure, what we need to know better, and what PHMSA is already doing and planning to…
Advisory Committee Meetings & New Subcommittee Meetings
[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0127] PHMSA has announced meetings of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) and the creation of a subcommittee to assist PHMSA in the preparation of a pipeline safety report to the nation. PHMSA will host a series of meetings with a newly…
DIMP Inspection Forms Updated
PHMSA has issued newly released inspection forms for the Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) from the DIMP Implementation team: DIMP Inspection Form for 192.1015: For Master Meter and Small LPG Operators of Gas Distribution Systems – Version 4/11/2011 DIMP Inspection Form for 192.1005 – 192.1011: For Operators of Gas Distribution Systems – Version 5/2/2011 Contact…
PHMSA Advisory Bulletin (ADB-11-03) Deadline for 2010 Mapping Reports
[Docket No. PHMSA–2011–0121] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently published advisory bulletin (ADB-11-03) advising owners and operators of gas transmission and gathering systems and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities that they have until August 15 to submit their Calendar Year 2010 Annual Reports. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)…
Jurisdictional Determination
Is there uncertainty as to whether a pipeline meets the applicability of 49 CFR 195 or 192? RCP can answer your questions regarding the jurisdictional status related to pipelines that may be regulated by the Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT/PHMSA). Click here to request more information on how RCP can…
Low Stress Liquid Pipeline Jurisdiction Final Rule
[Docket PHMSA-2008-0186; Amdt. 195-96] On May 5, 2011, PHMSA finalized their Phase II rulemaking for low stress liquid pipelines, as required by the PIPES Act. This rulemaking creates 3 (actually 4) categories of low stress pipelines. Low stress pipelines that are in non-rural areas or which cross navigable waters have long been regulated by PHMSA.…
API Public Awareness Workshop July 1, 2010 in Houston
API has scheduled an additional ½ day meeting on public awareness on July 1, 2010. It is intended to follow the PHMSA/NAPSR Public Awareness Workshop (scheduled for June 30th) and will be held at the same venue, the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston, TX. The purpose of this workshop is to provide a forum for operators…
PHMSA/NAPSR Public Awareness Workshop June 30, 2010 in Houston
On June 30, 2010, PHMSA is co-sponsoring a 1-day public awareness workshop with the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) at the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston, Texas from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The workshop will be an opportunity, following the initial four-year implementation cycle, to review the implementation process, identify what implementation strategies…
Does your facility store emergency containers ≥55 gal on site for the hurricane season?
If your facility stores emergency containers ≥55 gal on site for the hurricane season, this may trigger the need for an SPCC Plan. Also, these containers must be included in an existing SPCC Plan. The containers qualify for inclusion into the Plan if they are intended to be used for oil storage, regardless of whether…
PHMSA/RRC Pipeline Safety Seminar June 16 – 18, 2010 in Corpus Christi
The Texas Gas Association (TGA) will be hosting the Texas PHMSA/RRC pipeline safety seminar immediately following their O&M Conference in Corpus Christi. PHMSA will be discussing and instructing on requirements of 191, 192 and 195. The natural gas portion of the pipelines seminar will be on Wednesday and Thursday and the liquid portion will run…
TGA O&M Conference
June 13-16, 2010 in Corpus Christi Meet us at the TGA Operations Conference at the Omni Bayfront Hotel on Jun 13-16th, in Corpus Christi, Texas. RCP representatives will be attending the conference and look forward to meeting you. Bill Byrd will be speaking on SPCC issues at a breakout session on Tuesday, June 15th, and…
SGA Environmental, Safety & Health, Training and HR Generalist Conference
June 9-11, 2010 in Kansas City If you plan on attending this conference, mark your calendar for Thursday, June 10th at 3:15pm, as Bill Byrd will address the Environmental Roundtable regarding recent changes to the EPA’s SPCC Rule and compliance deadline. This Roundtable discussion is an ideal venue for environmental professionals to receive updates from…
It’s June. Have you completed your Public Awareness Effectiveness Evaluation?
The due date for completion of effectiveness surveys for operators implementing public awareness programs is quickly approaching this month. Most plans must be completed by June, 2010 to be in compliance with the regulations. According to API RP 1162, operators should conduct these effectiveness evaluations “no more than four years apart.” The effectiveness evaluation is…
New York – Emergency Rule on Electrical Bonding of Gas Piping, and Protection of Gas Piping Against Physical Damage
I.D. No. DOS-16-10-00012-EP The State of New York has approved an emergency rule that amends several existing provisions in, and adds several new provisions to, the 2007 edition of the Residential Code of New York State (the ”2007 RCNYS”), the publication which is incorporated by reference in 19 NYCRR Part 1220, and the 2007 edition…
Changes in Louisiana “Dig Law”
Louisiana’s legislature is debating several important changes that will expand the state’s dig law in significant ways. These changes include: Requiring La One Call to accept emergency locate requests 24 hours a day, seven days a week and immediately relay emergency notifications to members with potentially affected facilities. Making it illegal to fail to take…
Minerals Management Service Reorganization Order No. 3299
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has been replaced by three new offices to oversee leases, drilling safety, and fee collection. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said that energy development, enforcement, and revenue collection are conflicting missions and must be separated. On May 19, 2010, Salazar signed an Order creating the: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Bureau…
PHMSA Publishes Internal Inspection Guidance Materials
Recently, PHMSA posted guidance documents as a result of several Freedom Of Information Act requests. The documents provide guidance and insight for PHMSA inspectors in preparation for and during an audit. The available guidance documents include: Corrosion Inspection Guidance (both 192 and 195) Operations and Maintenance Guidance (both 192 and 195) Integrity Management Inspection Guidance…
PHMSA Recognizes One-Call Operations
The Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration recently measured state one-call programs against the following nine elements of the Pipeline inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2006: Element 1 – Enhanced Communication between Operators and Excavators Element 2 – Fostering Support and Partnership of all Stakeholders Element 3 – Operator’s Use of Performance…
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.…