Thanks to our friend Vince Murchison for pointing out this site which has tracked the frequency with which swear words (specifically the F word and the S word) are used in public comments to agency rulemakings. It would surprise no one that the “winner” is the IRS. The last agency on the list, with the…
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CGA DIRT Report for 2013 Vol. 10 Released September 2014
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) has issued its Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report for 2013, providing a summary and analysis of the pipeline damage, near miss, and downtime events that occurred in 2013. The DIRT Report identifies the importance of calling 811 as most critical to safety. Last year there was a 3.5% decrease…
PHMSA Pipeline Incident Statistics
Ever wonder how pipeline incidents and accidents have trended over time? Check out PHMSA’s new incident trend website at http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/library/datastatistics/pipelineincidenttrends. PHMSA has collected pipeline incident reports since 1970. Although the report formats have changed in that time frame, the report data have been merged and scrubbed to generate 20 year trend graphs. The trend data…
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…
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…
TRRC Adopts Pipeline Permit Rule Amendments
[Utilities Docket No. 10366] On December 2, 2014, the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) adopted pipeline permit rule amendments in 16 TAC §3.70 to clarify how a pipeline operator may be classified by the TRRC as a common carrier. The rule amendments require pipeline operators to verify their claim to be a common carrier when applying…
Drug and Alcohol Testing Update
[Docket ID PHMSA-2014-0137] PHMSA has determined that the minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees will remain at 25 percent during calendar year 2015. Operators are reminded that drug and alcohol testing information must be submitted for contractors performing or ready to perform covered functions. For calendar year 2014 reporting, PHMSA will not attempt…
Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee & Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee Meeting
[Docket No. PHMSA-2009-0203] The Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) and Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC) will participate in a joint meeting to consider a proposed rule to incorporate by reference two new standards (one partially) and 21 updated editions of currently referenced standards in 49 CFR Parts 192, 193, and 195. A detailed agenda will…
PHMSA Random Drug Testing Reporting
[Docket ID PHMSA-2013-0248] PHMSA has determined that the minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees will remain at 25 percent during calendar year 2014. Operators are reminded that drug and alcohol testing information must be submitted for contractors performing or ready to perform covered functions. For calendar year 2013 reporting, PHMSA will not mail…
Ohio Gas Pipeline Safety Regulations Revised
[Case No. 12-2040-GA-ORD] The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) issued revised gas pipeline safety regulations in Chapter 4901:1-16 (Gas Pipeline Safety) to provide for state regulation and oversight of gas gathering and processing plant operators. The revised rules implement state Senate Bill 315, adopted in 2012, which requires that newly constructed gathering lines comply…
RCP Receives 3 Patents for Our Industry-Leading MAOP Software
We are proud to announce that RCP’s Chris Foley, Vice President, has received 3 patents #8,548,756; #8,548,757; and #8,548,758 for our industry-leading MaxOp* software. RCP is the unquestioned market leader providing MAOP Validation Services, including over 100,000 miles of gas and liquid pipeline analysis and support. Not only does RCP bring a wealth of experienced…
PHMSA Notice: Revised Forms to Incident & Annual Report for Gas Pipelines
[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0084] On June 27, 2013, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a notice in the Federal Register of its intent to revise six forms under OMB Control Number 2137-0522. These forms include: PHMSA F 7100.1 Incident Report-Gas Distribution System; PHMSA…
PHMSA Revised Liquid Annual Report Form
The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released a revised hazardous liquid annual report form (PHMSA F 7000-1.1) and instructions. For a copy of the revised form and instructions, contact Jessica Roger.
API/AOPL Pipeline Performance Tracking System (PPTS) Workshop January 29, 2013 – Houston, TX
The API/AOPL Data Mining Team (DMT) will host the bi-annual Pipeline Performance Tracking System (PPTS) workshop on January 29, 2013 in Houston, TX. The workshop will be hosted at the RCP offices in Houston, TX and also via Live-Meeting. The PPTS workshop is open to all current and prospective PPTS participants. Covered topics include: what…
PHMSA Technical Advisory Committee Meetings December 11-13, Washington, DC
On November 27, 2012, in the Federal Register, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced meetings of the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee and the Gas Liquid Advisory Committee, also known as the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee. The meetings will be held at the…
MAOP Exceedance Reporting
The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has requested that States share the information below to those operators with gas transmission assets in the pipeline industry. Please review your internal reporting procedures and modify to capture the information outlined below. The passage below was included in Section 23 of the federal “Pipeline Safety,…
PHMSA Advisory Bulletin (ADB–2012–10) Pipeline Safety: Using Meaningful Metrics in Conducting Integrity Management Program Evaluations
[Docket No. PHMSA–2012–0279] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-2012-10 to remind operators of gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities of their responsibilities, under Federal integrity management regulations, to perform evaluations of their integrity management programs using meaningful performance metrics. ADB-2012-10 outlines 11 key elements for these evaluations.…
Pennsylvania PUC Seeks Comments on Oversight of Natural Gas Distribution Systems
Docket No. M-2011-2271982 On November 10, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) issued for comment proposed procedures that will enhance the safety of the state’s natural gas distribution systems. These new procedures would require gas utilities to file plans outlining how much aging underground pipelines leak and when the utilities intend to replace them, and…
Pipeline Operations Manager
RCP has been approached by one of our customers about posting a critical need position on our newsletter. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to play a key role in a relatively young but growth-oriented company. Those with an interest should submit your resume to hr@rcp.com with Operations Manager listed in the subject…
PHMSA National Registry
Docket #PHMSA-2008-0291 On December 13, 2010, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a notice in the Federal Register of its intent to create a national registry of pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operators. PHMSA received one comment in response to that notice.…