The NLS Group has joined the RCP, Paradigm and Celeritas team to provide operators with effective, nationwide Pipeline Education Meeting Programs. The Public Education Meeting Programs can educate the surrounding stakeholders of incremental expansion projects, planned maintenance, or effectively educate excavators, local emergency responders, and public officials. All curriculums include feedback surveys to assess the…
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OPS Gas IMP Oversight Implementation and Inspection Protocol Workshop – January 2005
The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) cosponsored a workshop in Atlanta to discuss the oversight implementation of the Gas Integrity Management program and the Inspection Protocols. The workshop provided a detailed review and discussion of Gas Pipeline Integrity Management Inspection Protocols as posted on the Gas…
ASME Draft Standard B31Q Pipeline Personnel Qualification Draft Posted
ASME and AOPL recently announced that ASME will make a proposed draft available of B31Q Pipeline Personnel Qualification not later than February 3, 2005 for an open review and comment period through February 15, 2005. For more information go to https://secure.asme.org/codes/b31qform.cfm.
API’s 56th Annual Pipeline Conference, April 19-20, 2005
Make plans now to attend the American Petroleum Institute’s 56th Annual Pipeline Conference scheduled for April 19-20, 2005 at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Austin, Texas. The Conference will feature 5 tracks: People, Regulatory Update, Technology, Operations and Public Information and Communication. Reed Berry “The Traffic Guy” will speak to the audience during the opening…
RSPA Report on Research Activities; Request for Comments
The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) is being replaced by two new Federal agencies: the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). These new organizations will be effective no later than February 28, 2005. RITA is a new Department of Transportation (DOT) organization dedicated to advancing…
Louisiana to Increase Drug and Alcohol Inspections
Recently, Louisiana OPS indicated plans to increase inspections of written drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs. Operator programs should be compare their program to the DOT Inspection Checklist to ensure compliance. Take note that there are separate protocols for drug inspection and alcohol inspection which are further broken down for headquarters and field. For the…
Semi-Annual Reporting of Gas Pipeline Integrity Management Performance Measures
Operators are required by 49 CFR 192.945 to submit integrity management performance measures semi-annually. The next semi-annual report is due February 28, 2005. OPS has issued an Advisory Bulletin (ADB-05-01) concerning the requirements for the next submittal. OPS reiterated in their GAS IMP meeting on January 20, 2005, that they expect 100% compliance with this…
Editorial Revision – Gas Transmission Line Definition
On June 14, 2004, RSPA/OPS issued a final rule titled “Periodic Updates to Pipeline Safety Regulations” (69 FR 32886). The final rule amended various sections of the pipeline safety regulations and incorporated the most recent editions of the voluntary consensus standards publications referenced in the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations in 49 CFR parts 192 and…
Extension of NPDES Storm Water Construction Permit Deadline for Oil and Gas Construction Activity
EPA has proposed to amend the rule on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System storm water permits to postpone until June 12, 2006, the requirement to obtain permit coverage for oil and gas construction activity that disturbs one to five acres of land. This would be the second postponement promulgated by EPA for these activities. EPA…
Pipeline Safety Regulation Workshops – Federal, Texas, and Louisiana
RCP will host a 3 day workshop on the Federal, Texas, and Louisiana pipeline safety regulations on February 22 – 24, 2005. Attendees can register for one, two, or all three days. Topics to be covered include: Day 1: Introduction to Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations This is our highly acclaimed 1-day workshop on the Federal…
RCP and ESS sign Alliance Partnership Agreement for Web-Based Compliance Assurance Services
RCP has entered into an Alliance Partnership with ESS, the leading provider of Environmental, Health & Safety and Crisis Management software. The primary focus of this partnership will be to bring web-based regulatory compliance solutions to the oil and gas industry. RCP will provide implementation, start-up, and ongoing regulatory compliance outsource services through Essential Compliance…
Railroad Commissioners Approve Pilot Project To Help Conserve Water At Drilling Sites
The Texas Railroad Commissioners has approved a pilot project that may help conserve fresh water as well as limit the disposal of waste saltwater from drilling operations through a process that recycles drilling waste water on site. The process involves on-site distilling units that apply heat to separate brine from water used to fracture gas…
API Publishes RP 1133, Guidelines for Onshore Hydrocarbon Pipelines Affecting High Consequence Floodplains, First Edition
API RP 1133 sets out criteria for the design, construction, operation, maintenance and abandonment of onshore pipelines that could affect high consequence floodplains and associated commercially navigable waterways. This RP applies only to steel pipelines that transport gas, hazardous liquids, alcohols or carbon dioxide. The design, construction, inspection and testing provisions of this RP should…
Air Permit Needs?
Are you planning to expand or acquire? Air permit applications can be complex and consuming. RCP has the expertise to navigate through the application process, develop compliance assurance systems, and submit reports. Click Here
Three-Digit Dialing Roll Out Planned for March 10
According to Ben Cooper of AOPL, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell will announce the establishment of a toll-free nationwide three-digit number to connect callers with their local one-call system at the March 10th meeting. Which three digits to be chosen are not known at this time, but the leading candidates are 344 and 811.
New Research and Innovative Technology and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrations Announced
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced February 15th the creation of two new agencies at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) – one to focus on innovation and research and the other on pipeline and hazardous materials safety – to help the Department more effectively execute its mission of developing and applying innovative technologies…
Texas Pipeline Regulations – Proposed Revisions
The Texas Railroad Commission proposes amendments to Title 16, Part 1 of the Texas Administrative Code, §8.1, relating to General Applicability and Standards, §8.201, relating to Pipeline Safety Program Fees, and §8.210, relating to Reports. Section 8.1 concerns minimum safety standards and adopts by reference the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) pipeline safety standards.…
Response Plans for Onshore Transportation-Related Oil Pipelines; Final Rule
On January 5, 1993, OPS published an interim final rule which established oil spill response planning requirements for onshore pipeline operators. The OPS is now adopting the interim rule as a final rule. As a result of public comments made in response to this issuance, amendments have been made to various portions of the rule.…
Questions Regarding OPA 90 Containment Credits?
RCP can evaluate your plan in light of the more specific (and generous) guidance about secondary containment credits. Click Here for more information.
Operator Qualification Update – B31Q Comments
The ASME B31Q committee charged with developing the new pipeline operator qualification standard made the draft version available for public comment on February 2, 2005. Although the comment period is now closed, there have been numerous comments made to the B31Q committee. A meeting was held in Houston last week to consider the comments submitted.…