Do you have questions? RCP’s SMEs have the answers. Information will be posted here for questions we often get from clients or discussions we have with regulators regarding interpretations and pending regulatory deadlines. Q: Does any portion of a 192.635 “Notification of Potential Rupture” require OQ training as a covered task? A: Yes, 192.635 “Notification…
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Did you know?
Did You Know? RCP’s Version 2.0 of its TaskOp Underground Storage Reservoir Risk Module is officially live! Developed in response to the release of API 1171’s 2nd Version, RCP has added a number of new, premium features, including robust threat interaction tables, to enable users to comply with the new recommended practices being introduced. Click…
PHMSA Advisory Bulletin: Identification and Evaluation of Potential Hard Spots – In-line Inspection Tools and Analysis
[Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0176] On November 18, 2024, PHMSA published an advisory bulletin in the Federal Register urging pipeline owners and operators to assess their pipeline systems for potential “hard spots” in the pipe body. These hard spots, which originate during the plate and pipe manufacturing process, may present a broader risk to pipeline integrity than…
The Enforcement Corner
The Enforcement Corner summarizes recent PHMSA enforcement actions, indicating where PHMSA is putting its enforcement efforts and the fines they are proposing for various types of violations. In September 2024, PHMSA issued 1 CAO, 1 NOA, and 1 NOPV accompanied by $246,800 in proposed fines. Significant proposed fines were attributed to the following code sections:…
Q&A Section
Do you have questions? RCP’s SMEs have the answers. Information will be posted here for questions we often get from clients or discussions we have with regulators regarding interpretations and pending regulatory deadlines. Q: How can TaskOp help an Operator prepare for an audit? A: The TaskOp Audit module can streamline your audit preparation by…
Did you know?
Did You Know? RCP’s Version 2.0 of its TaskOp Underground Storage Reservoir Risk Module is officially live! Developed in response to the release of API 1171’s 2nd Version, RCP has added a number of new, premium features, including robust threat interaction tables, to enable users to comply with the new recommended practices being introduced. Click…
PHMSA Report to Congress – Integrity Management for Gas Distribution Pipelines
PHMSA has filed a report to Congress on integrity assessment methods for gas distribution pipelines. The report was mandated by Section 122 of the PIPES Act 2020 which required PHMSA to “study the availability of alternative methods to using direct assessment to assess pipeline integrity.” Some highlights of the report: For a copy of the…
API Enhances Pipeline Safety Against Geohazards with New Standard
API RP 1187: Pipeline Integrity Management of Landslide Hazards is a first edition recommended practice (RP) that provides recommendations for the management of landslide hazards for operating onshore welded steel pipelines. The recommendations in this document are applicable for onshore transmission pipelines conveying natural gas, hazardous liquids, and carbon dioxide. Offshore pipelines, pipelines containing products…
The Enforcement Corner
The Enforcement Corner summarizes recent PHMSA enforcement actions, indicating where PHMSA is putting its enforcement efforts and the fines they are proposing for various types of violations. In August 2024, PHMSA issued 1 CAO, 7 NOAs, 11 NOPVs, and 7 WLs accompanied by $765,900 in proposed fines. Significant proposed fines were attributed to the following…
Q&A Section
Do you have questions? RCP’s SMEs have the answers. Information will be posted here for questions we often get from clients or discussions we have with regulators regarding interpretations and pending regulatory deadlines. Q: How can TaskOp help an Operator prepare for an audit? A: The TaskOp Audit module can streamline your audit preparation by…
Did you know?
Did You Know? CO2 pipelines can boost jobs, strengthen energy security, and help lower carbon emissions. From the development and maintenance of the pipelines themselves to the connection of ethanol plants and industrial facilities to storage sites, CO2 infrastructure supports good-paying jobs. CO2 pipelines can help advance responsible energy production here in the U.S. by…
RIN 2 Court Decision
In August 2022, PHMSA issued its final rule along with a report titled “Final Regulatory Impact Analysis” (RIA), J.A. 619, which reviewed the costs and benefits of the standards. While INGAA supported the rule overall, requested reconsideration of several provisions, submitted in report J.A. 677’. PHMSA denied most of the petition, except for a few…
The Enforcement Corner
The Enforcement Corner summarizes recent PHMSA enforcement actions, indicating where PHMSA is putting its enforcement efforts and the fines they are proposing for various types of violations. In July 2024, PHMSA issued 6 NOAs, 5 NOPVs, and 1 NOPSO accompanied by $418,200 in proposed fines. Significant proposed fines were attributed to the following code sections:…
Did you know?
Did you know? A number of federal agencies currently have a role in promoting natural gas pipeline reliability, including PHMSA through its safety, maintenance, and operations regulations, TSA through its pipeline security directives and guidelines; and FERC through its review of applications to add new natural gas pipeline capacity. Learn more about how INGAA members…
Q&A Section
Do you have questions? RCP’s SMEs have the answers. Information will be posted here for questions we often get from clients or discussions we have with regulators regarding interpretations and pending regulatory deadlines. Q: How can TaskOp help an Operator prepare for an audit? A: The TaskOp Audit module can streamline your audit preparation by…
Upcoming PHMSA Integrity Management Risk Modeling Workshop in Houston
PHMSA will host a two-day Integrity Management Risk Modeling Workshop on October 23-24, 2024, in Houston, TX. The event will highlight advancements in risk modeling for both pipeline and non-pipeline systems. More details will be shared soon. This workshop offers a great opportunity to: This is a must-attend event for anyone in pipeline safety and…
Standards Update Final Rule – Stay of Enforcement
On April 29, 2024, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule titled “Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates of Regulatory References to Technical Standards and Miscellaneous Amendments,” effective June 28, 2024. This rule updates the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations by incorporating over 20 new or revised industry technical standards in 49 CFR…
Valve Rule Correction
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has announced a significant update under Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0255, identified as Amendment No. 192-136. This amendment follows a Petition for Reconsideration filed by the American Petroleum Institute and GPA Midstream Association on August 23, 2023, and aims to clarify the applicability of certain regulations to gas gathering…
NTSB Issues Safety Alert Emphasizing Adoption of API RP 1173
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recently issued a Safety Alert (SA095 July 2024), encouraging all pipeline operators to adopt and implement API RP 1173 Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS) Requirements. The NTSB recognizes that over 85% of pipeline industry mileage has adopted PSMS but wants further adoption among smaller operators. Further, the NTSB encourages…
API Pipeline Information eXchange (PIX) Workshop
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is sponsoring the annual Pipeline Information eXchange (PIX) on November 6, 2024, at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown. The event runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, followed by a reception, and is exclusive to pipeline operators. PIX offers a platform for sharing information and lessons on pipeline safety, incidents,…