Editor’s note: I apologize for the length of the following article, but I think you will find the information very helpful in understanding OPS’s concerns on this topic. The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is hosting a public meeting to discuss concerns it has with how operators are applying, interpreting, and evaluating data acquired from…
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FERC Guidance on PIM Cost Treatment for Gas Pipelines
On June 30, 2005, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission provided guidance on how jurisdictional natural gas companies should account for costs associated with implementation of new pipeline integrity management requirements. OPS estimates the cost of compliance with the IM Regulations for jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional entities will be $4.7 billion over 20 years. The Commission found…
Exclusion Zones for Marine LNG Spills: Reopening of comment period
In response to a request from the public, the Coast Guard is once again reopening the public comment period on a petition from the City of Fall River, Massachusetts. Fall River’s petition asks the Coast Guard to promulgate regulations establishing thermal and vapor dispersion exclusion zones for marine spills of liquefied natural gas, similar to…
New PHMSA Deputy Administrator
Brigham A. McCown has been named the Deputy Administrator for the newly created Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. He most recently served as the first Chief Counsel of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration where he was responsible for oversight of legal and legislative issues involving the commercial motor carrier, motor coach and moving…
Proposed Reissuance of NPDES Permit Number AKG280000
The Director, Office of Water, EPA Region 10, proposes to extend the area of coverage of the general NPDES permit for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf and Contiguous State Waters (AKG280000) to include the northern portion of the Hope Basin and other Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) areas along the…
Use of Polyamide-11 Plastic Pipe in Gas Pipelines
The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) seeks public comments on two petitions for rulemaking filed by Arkema, Inc. The petitions request changes to the gas pipeline safety regulations to increase the design factor for new polyamide-11 (PA-11) pipe from 0.32 to 0.40, and to allow use of PA-11 pipe for systems operating at up to…
Critical Energy Infrastructure Information
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has amended its regulations for gaining access to critical energy infrastructure information (CEII). These changes are being made based on comments filed in response to the March 3, 2005, notice seeking public comment on the effectiveness of the Commission’s CEII rules. The final rule removes federal agency requesters from…
B31Q Update
After a unanimous working committee vote in April, the proposed ASME standard on pipeline operator qualification, B31Q, went to ballot on May 27, 2005. After a 30 day ballot period, there were 7 negative ballots received. Under the ASME standard development guidelines, each negative ballot must contain specific technical reasons for the negative vote. These…
2005 Offshore Hurricane Readiness and Recovery Conference
The U.S. offshore oil and natural gas industry, in collaboration with its regulatory agencies, is hosting the Offshore Hurricane Readiness and Recovery Conference, July 26-27, 2005, at the InterContinental Houston Hotel [713-627-7600]. This conference is targeted to people in industry, government or other groups involved in Emergency Response; Design, Installation and Operation of Offshore, Shore-base…
Integrity Management Services
RCP can assist pipeline operators with ongoing compliance management and engineering associated with your IMP. This includes direct assessment strategies, tool and vendor selection, ILI/ECDA report analysis, corrosion control programs, repair strategies, and IMP/risk model updates. For more information on how RCP can support your ongoing IMP needs, Click Here.
Pipeline Operator Public Awareness Program Final rule; correction
PHMSA has corrected the Final Rule published in the Federal Register on May 19, 2005 (70 FR 28833). That Final Rule amended requirements for pipeline operators in 49 CFR parts 192 and 195 to develop and implement public awareness programs and incorporated by reference the guidelines of the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP)…
Need to update your Public Awareness Program?
RCP can help develop your updated plan to meet API RP 1162 standards, and provide turnkey implementation, mail-outs, evaluations, and tracking of your program. For more information call or Click Here.
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – August 17-18, 2005
Join us at our Houston office for an informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance and API RP 1162 for DOT Pipelines. This workshop has been attended by hundreds of pipeline personnel, with excellent feedback. Day 1 provides an overview of the DOT pipeline regulations, and is appropriate for people who are new…
Pipeline Professionals Referrals
From time to time, we are asked by pipeline operators if we know of any qualified pipeline professionals that are active in the job market. In addition, RCP is always interested in highly qualified individuals in the job market that have expertise in regulatory compliance management. If you are aware of any pipeline professionals that…
Temporary Water Right Authorizations Required from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requested that the Texas Railroad Commission post an advisory notice concerning use of surface water in association with oil and gas activities. Water flowing in Texas creeks, rivers, and bays is state water or “waters of the state.” Under Section 11 of the Texas Water Code anyone who…
Congress Clears Energy Bill
The US Senate approved a national energy plan 74-26 on July 29th. With this vote, the Conference Committee on the energy bill (H.R. 6) issued a report confirming that the reform is now ready for the President’s signature, as the bill cleared the House of Representatives earlier. The President is expected to sign the bill,…
Are Your Response Plans Current?
RCP can provide audits and updates to help ensure that your spill and emergency response plans are current and meet federal and state requirements. Click Here.
Integrity Management Notification for Gas Transmission Lines
Current regulations (49 CFR 192, Subpart O) require operators of gas transmission lines to notify OPS and state pipeline safety agencies of certain events related to integrity management programs for gas transmission lines. Operators are required to notify OPS of each of the following events: a) when the operator makes substantial changes to the operator’s…
Integrity Management Plan Up-to-Date?
RCP has the tools and expertise to develop comprehensive Integrity Management Plans for both liquid and gas pipelines. Click Here if you would like information on RCP’s Integrity Management Services and receive a copy of our FREE Integrity Management CD.
Beginning Steps on Pipeline Security Legislation
The joint majority and minority staff of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hosted a meeting this week to discuss sections 406-408 of S.1052, which would establish a federal pipeline security program. The bill outlines a plan for the Federal Government to provide increased security support to the most critical interstate and intrastate…