The EPA has promulgated national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) with a site-rating of more than 500 brake horsepower (HP). The EPA proposed the NESHAP for stationary RICE on December 19, 2002, and received 64 comment letters on the proposal. A background information document (BID) (“National…
Uncategorized
The Use of N11 Codes and Other Abbreviated Dialing Arrangements – Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
The Federal Communications Commission seeks comment on various abbreviated dialing arrangements that could be used by state “One Call” notification systems in compliance with the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (the Pipeline Safety Act). The FCC seeks comment on whether an N11 code, a code using a leading star or number sign, or another…
DOT Implements Changes to 46 CFR 310, Merchant Marine Training
The Department of Transportation Maritime Administration is publishing an interim final rule on Merchant Marine Training (46 CFR 310), effective July 8, 2004. In their summary of the rule, the Maritime Administration states that these changes will update “the Maritime Education and Training regulations to conform with … the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal…
Pipeline De-Watering Bulletin
OSHA and OPS have jointly developed an advisory bulletin to increase awareness of the hazards involved in pipeline de-watering and to encourage employers and workers to refocus their energies on ensuring proper procedures are followed during the process. De-watering of pipelines is a process conducted following the construction of the pipelines. The bulletin was designed…
NACE International’s Pipeline Integrity Direct Assessment Seminar
NACE International presented a Pipeline Integrity Direct Assessment Seminar in Houston, TX on June 23-25. The seminar addressed external corrosion direct assessment, internal corrosion direct assessment and stress corrosion cracking. It provided a detailed description of the four-step process and the tools available to implement direct assessment. NACE Task Groups are currently in the process…
Passage of Internal Inspection Devices – Gas Pipelines
Years ago, the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) published a regulation requiring that new gas transmission lines and sections of existing transmission lines in which pipe or components are replaced be designed and constructed to accommodate the passage of instrumented internal inspection devices. On January 30, 1995 (60 FR 7133; Feb. 7, 1995), RSPA…
OPS Issues NPRM for Public Education Programs for Hazardous Liquid and Gas Pipeline Operators
The Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) proposes to require all gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators to develop and implement public education programs based on the provisions of the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162, Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators. API RP 1162 provides guidance on development,…
API Petitions DOT/OPS: Integrity Management Rule Changes
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Association of Oil Pipeline (AOPL) have submitted two petitions to DOT/OPS to amend Title 49 CFR Part 195.452. While most API member companies are primarily engaged in the transportation of hazardous liquids, some of the members do operate small amounts of gas pipelines that are subject to the…
DOT Profile – David D. Wint – RCP’s Newest Project Manager-Integrity Management
“Direct Assessment is relatively new bringing together both the old and the latest technology that is instrumental in Pipeline Integrity Management and dramatically impacts other pipeline operation programs”, says David Wint, RCP’s newest Integrity Management Project Manager. With over 20 years in the pipeline industry, David adds tremendous value to RCP. He specializes in the…
DOT Pipeline Compliance / Integrity Assessment Workshop September 28 – 30, 2004 – Houston
RCP will conduct a 3-day workshop on DOT Pipeline Regulations on September 28 – 30 in Houston. Day 1 of this workshop will present an overview of all the current DOT regulations for pipeline operators. Day 2 will review recent integrity management initiatives and national standards (ASME, NACE, API) for liquid & gas pipelines including…
RCP Services Spotlight � Web Based Regulatory Compliance Management Systems
The Internet is coming to regulatory compliance and RCP is on the cutting edge of this technology. Combine RCP’s vast experience with developing comprehensive regulatory compliance programs with the capabilities of high speed Internet and you get a WORLD-CLASS COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, (CMS). This comprehensive system can neatly manage virtually any and all of your…
Fire Safety Analysis Manual for LP-Gas Storage Facilities
With a consultant as a member of the NFPA, we at RCP Inc. try to benefit our newsletter recipients with the latest opportunities to enhance protections and to mitigate potential incidents/emergency conditions. The NFPA, National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), and the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) have issued a new Fire Safety Analysis Manual,…
Gas Pipelines in Liquid Integrity Management Plans
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Association of Oil Pipeline (AOPL) have submitted two petitions to DOT/OPS to amend Title 49 CFR Part 195.452. While most API member companies are primarily engaged in the transportation of hazardous liquids, some of the members do operate small amounts of gas pipelines that are subject to the…
Procedural Change for Annual NPMS Submission Updates
The Office of Pipeline Safety has implemented a procedural change to the pipeline operators’ annual NPMS submission updates. Operators may now perform these updates through the NPMS Web site (http://www.npms.rspa.dot.gov/). Follow the link on the home page marked “Update Your Submission Online” to access this application. Through this interface, pipeline operators can inform the National…
Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities; Clarifying and Updating Safety Standards
On March 10, 2004, RSPA published a final rule that amended regulations in 49 CFR part 193 related to the fire protection of LNG facilities used in gas pipeline transportation ( 69 FR 11330; Docket No. RSPA-03-14456). An amendment to 49 CFR 193.2005 clarified that the fire protection requirements of part 193 (contained in �…
ASME B31Q Industry Teleconference Recap (July 2, 2004)
On July 2, 2004, various members of the ASME B31Q committee provided brief updates on the status and future of the upcoming Operator Qualification regulatory changes. The committee has not finalized anything yet, so take these notes with a large grain of salt because things could change (although not expected). The committee plans to have…
Standards of Performance for Stationary Gas Turbines – Final rule; Amendments
The EPA has promulgated amendments to several sections of the standards of performance for stationary gas turbines in 40 CFR part 60, subpart GG. The amendments will codify several alternative testing and monitoring procedures that have routinely been approved by EPA. The amendments will also reflect changes in nitrogen oxides (NOX) emission control technologies and…
NTSB Recommendations Concerning Pipe Transportation
On July 1, 2004, the National Transportation Safety Board made the following safety recommendations to the Research and Special Programs Administration: Remove the exemption in 49 Code of Federal Regulations 192.65 (b) that permits pipe to be placed in natural gas service after pressure testing when the pipe can not be verified to have been…
DOT Pipeline Compliance / Integrity Assessment Workshop September 28 – 30, 2004 – Houston
RCP will conduct a 3-day workshop on DOT Pipeline Regulations on September 28 – 30 in Houston. Day 1 of this workshop will present an overview of all the current DOT regulations for pipeline operators. Day 2 will review recent integrity management initiatives and national standards (ASME, NACE, API) for liquid gas pipelines including ECDA/ICDA,…
Gas Pipeline Advisory Notice
Gas pipeline operators are required by 49 CFR 192.945 to make their first semi-annual submission of integrity management performance measures by August 31, 2004. The four overall performance measures that gas transmission pipeline operators are required to submit are: Number of pipeline miles inspected versus program requirements. Number of immediate repairs completed as a result…