DOT/OPS has adopted API 1104 nineteenth edition as matter incorporated by reference in 49 CFR 195 and 49 CFR 192. This edition replaces the eighteenth edition which has been previously incorporated by reference. The nineteenth edition contains numerous changes from the eighteenth edition. This new edition has been reorganized by a significant breakout of Section…
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MOU on Pipeline Repair Permitting Streamlining
A copy of the “Memorandum of understanding on coordination of environmental reviews for pipeline repair projects” is now available on the web at: http://www.etf.energy.gov/pdfs/PipelineMOU.pdf. This document explains in general terms how various federal agencies have agreed to work together to expedite permits and authorizations as necessary for pipeline repairs. It envisions the use of the…
OSHA Whistleblower Webpage
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created The Whistleblower Program webpage at: http://www.osha.gov/dep/oia/whistleblower/index.html. The new page consolidates a variety of whistleblower information, such as links to the implementing regulations, the Office of Administrative Law Judges, and the Administrative Review Board. This site provides a single source for obtaining detailed information on the 14…
RCP President to speak at the GITA conference
The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) is a nonprofit educational association serving the global geospatial community. The 13th Annual GIS for Oil & Gas Conference & Exhibition will be held at the J. W. Marriott Hotel in Houston on September 20-22, 2004. Our president, Bill Byrd, will be speaking on the 20th at the…
EPA SPCC Plan Extension
The EPA has granted an 18 month extension to the new SPCC plan requirements. The actual text of the rule extension / modification is given below. § 112.3 Requirement to prepare and implement a Spill, Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan. If your onshore or offshore facility was in operation on or before August 16, 2002,…
Pipeline Safety: Periodic Underwater Inspections
Approximately 125 companies operate underwater pipelines in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and its inlets. RSPA / OPS has published a final rule that will require each of these companies to prepare and follow a procedure to identify pipelines in waters less than 15 feet deep that are at risk of being…
Marketing Snoops on your pipeline?
OPS recently issued the following advisory bulletin concerning unauthorized excavations and installation of monitoring equipment on pipelines: Advisory Bulletin (ADB-04-03) To: Owners and operators of gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines. Subject: Potential for unauthorized excavations and the installation of acoustic monitoring devices or other data acquisition devices on pipeline facilities. Purpose: To ensure that…
DOT Pipeline Compliance / Integrity Assessment Workshop September 28 – 30, 2004 – Houston Early Registration-on or before September 6, 2004.
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,…
RCP Services Spotlight – Litigation Support / Expert Witness Services
RCP’s professionals frequently are called upon to serve as expert witnesses or to provide other types of litigation support work. RCP has the expertise and the corporate infrastructure needed to provide results for our clients. Expertise RCP has the credibility that comes from conducting audits and developing programs for literally dozens of pipeline companies throughout…
RCP President, Bill Byrd Speaks at Recent Energy Breakfast
Bill Byrd, President of RCP gave a lively presentation at the recent Energy Breakfast hosted by the law firm Locke Liddell & Sap. Mr. Byrd, along with Bill Swanstrom, Co-head of LLS’ Energy Practice Group, focused on the regulatory compliance due diligence process in a typical midstream acquisition, and shared a few war stories about…
PREP Schedule for 2005 – 2007
The Coast Guard, the Research and Special Programs Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Minerals Management Service, in concert with representatives from various State governments, industry, environmental interest groups, and the general public, developed the Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines for oil spill response exercises. The guiding principles for PREP distinguish between…
EPA Stormwater Construction General Permit – proposed modifications
On July 1, 2003, EPA noticed in the Federal Register (68 FR 29087 ) issuance of the final NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activities (hereinafter called the “construction general permit” or “CGP”) for activities located in EPA Regions 1-3 and 5-10. (All references in this notice to the CGP also…
RSPA Reorganization Proposed
The Secretary of Transportation has submitted proposed legislation to Congress that would reorganize the Research and Special Programs Administration, and establish 2, more focused organizations. The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) would coordinate research-driven innovative technology and transportation statistics. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) would carry out the pipeline and hazardous…
RSPA Corrects Final Rule-Periodic Updates to Pipeline Safety Regulations
On June 14th, 2004, RSPA published a final rule entitled “Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates to Pipeline Safety Regulations”. That final rule amended and updated various sections of the pipeline safety regulations and incorporated the most recent editions of the voluntary consensus standards publications are referenced in 49 CFR parts 192 and 195. After the final…
Pipeline Safety: Pressure Limiting and Regulating Stations Final Rule Goes into effect October 8, 2004
The Research and Special Programs Administration Office of Pipeline Safety (RSPA/OPS) published a direct final rule on May 17th, 2004, that removed an unintended impact of regulations on pressure limiting and regulating stations. The direct final rule modified pressure limits that could have required a reduction in the operating pressure of certain pipelines and been…
Advisory Bulletin – Hurricane Ivan Pipeline Damage
On September 23, 2004, the Office of Pipeline Safety issued the following advisory bulletin to owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline systems in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent state waters regarding the potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by the passage of Hurricane Ivan. The advisory warned that pipeline safety…
RCP Services Spotlight – API Recommended Practice RP 1162 – Pipeline Public Awareness Program UPDATE
In our July 2004 newsletter, we mentioned that OPS is proposing to incorporate API RP 1162 into the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline regulations. Our Vice President of Project Development, Susan Waller, served on the API committee that developed RP 1162. She would like to add the following comments: “There is no doubt that everyone…
Petroleum and Transportation Security
Recent advances in technology have proven to increase the efficiency and control of our pipelines. However, because we have these improvements, there is the flip side to the coin. There are more opportunities for individuals to create hazards for the pipelines and the people associated with their operation. These people include employees, the community, contractors,…
TPSSC and THLPSSC Meetings
Meetings of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) will be held on December 14 and 15, 2004, at the Marriott Washington, 1221 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC. Members of the public may attend the meetings, and an opportunity will be provided for the public…
Public Meetings on Pipeline Safety Issues
The Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is sponsoring four free public meetings at the Marriott Washington, 1221 22nd Street, NW on the following pipeline safety topics: Communicating with the Public – Tuesday, December 14 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Enhancing Integrity Management of Gas Distribution Pipelines – Thursday,…