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API Issues New Pipeline Welding Standard
The American Petroleum Institute has issued the 20th edition of API Standard 1104, Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities. The standard covers the welding of butt, fillet, and socket welds in carbon and low-alloy steel piping used in the compression, pumping, and transmission of crude petroleum, petroleum products, fuel gases, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Where…
O&M Manual Up-To-Date?
RCP has the tools and expertise to develop comprehensive procedures that you need to protect your people, facilities, and environment. Click Here
Gas Gathering Line Definition – Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
The following is a reminder concerning this open regulatory issue: PHMSA has recently proposed new definitions for gas gathering, based on API RP-80, that should clarify the difference between production, gas gathering, and transmission. PHMSA has also developed a new risk classification system, based on pipeline pressure and population density, to determine which of the…
Need to make sure your Public Awareness Program meets API RP 1162 standards?
RCP can conduct a gap analysis of your current program that includes a self assessment of your Public Awareness Programs. This final product will help you to meet API RP 1162 standards. We can provide turnkey implementation, mail-outs, evaluations, and tracking of your program. For more information, call or click here.
Public Awareness, Pipeline Safety, and OQ Meeting Reminders
For details of these meetings, see the November issue of DOT Pipeline Compliance News. Pipeline Safety Workshop on Public Awareness Programs for Operators (Houston) The Dec. 7-8 workshop, which will focus on hazardous liquid and gas transmission operators, will be held at the Hilton America, 1600 Lamar Street, Houston, TX 77010. Hotel reservations under the…
RCP’s Fantastic 1-Page Version of New SPCC Regulation
The deadline for SPCC Plan revisions is fast approaching, February 17, 2006! RCP has developed a 1-page version (in tiny type) of the new SPCC regulations, to be revised as per the April 17, 2003 rule modification. To receive a complimentary copy along with a CD of valuable SPCC Reference Materials Click Here to request…
EPA Releases SPCC Guidance for Regional Inspectors
On Dec. 2, EPA released the SPCC Guidance for Regional Inspectors. The guidance document is intended to assist regional inspectors in reviewing a facility’s implementation of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule at 40 CFR part 112. With its publication, EPA seeks to establish a consistent understanding among regional EPA inspectors on how…
EPA Amends SPCC Rule
On Dec. 5, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed modifications and compliance extensions for the oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule. EPA is proposing to streamline requirements for qualified facilities, qualified oil-filled operational equipment, and airport mobile refuelers. The proposal also offers a separate extension of the compliance date for farms and the removal…
EPA Seeks Comment on Proposed NPDES Stormwater Permit for Industrial Activities
EPA is soliciting public comment on its NPDES Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Activities (MSGP) through Feb. 16, 2006. The proposed permit will replace the MSGP-2000 that expired on Oct. 30, 2005. The proposed permit is available for public comment until Feb. 16. The MSGP covers 29 categories of industrial activity in the five…
RCP’s Fantastic 1-Page Version of SPCC Regulation
The Feb. 17, 2006, deadline for SPCC Plan revisions is fast approaching. (Although the deadline may be extended, the extension is not yet final). RCP has developed a 1-page version (in tiny type) of the SPCC regulations that includes the guidance document for inspectors that was issued Dec. 2, 2005. To receive a complimentary copy…
EPA Proposes Amendments to the SPCC Rule
On Dec. 12, 2005, EPA proposed two separate amendments to the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule in the Federal Register. The first (FR EPA-HQ-OPA-2005-0001) streamlines the regulatory requirements for qualified facilities and equipment regulated under 40 CFR part 112. The second (FR EPA-HQ-OPA-2005-0003) extends the SPCC compliance dates for all facilities. EPA is…
Will your SPCC Plan pass an EPA inspection based on the new SPCC Inspectors’ Guidance document?
RCP can conduct a gap analysis of your current SPCC Plan and provide updates and recommendations based on the new SPCC Guidance for Regional Inspectors that was published Dec. 2, 2005. The new guidance document includes more detail than is in many of the plans in use today. RCP can review and update your plan…
Coastal Zone Management Act Federal Consistency Regulations: Final Rule
[Docket No. 030604145-4038-02] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has revised the federal consistency regulations under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA). For nearly 30 years, the CZMA has met the needs of coastal States, Great Lake States and United States Trust Territories and Commonwealths (collectively referred to as “coastal States” or…
NPDES Stormwater Oil and Gas Exemption – Proposed Rule
On Dec. 30, 2005, the EPA Administrator signed a proposed rule that will exempt most stormwater discharges from oil and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations, or transmission facilities, including associated construction activities, from the requirement to obtain NPDES permit coverage. The proposed rule also encourages operators of oil and gas activities or operations…
Pipeline Safety: Mechanical Damage Technical Workshop
[Docket No. PHMSA-2005-23198] PHMSA and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) are hosting a workshop to address pipeline safety issues with mechanical damage. This workshop will provide a forum to share information on mechanical damage among pipeline operators, state agencies, technical experts, and the public. Workshop attendees will discuss and see existing and…
Need to make sure your Public Awareness Program meets API RP 1162 standards?
RCP can conduct a gap analysis of your current program that includes a self assessment of your Public Awareness Programs. This final product will help you to meet API RP 1162 standards. We can provide turnkey implementation, mail-outs, evaluations, and tracking of your program. For more information, call or click here.
PHMSA’s Public Awareness Expectations–API RP 1162
Two workshops on Public Awareness for pipeline operators held recently by PHMSA will help ensure operators’ full compliance with the new public awareness program requirements included in API RP 1162. Presentations can be found at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/PublicAwarenessWorkshops.htm. PHMSA believes RP 1162 sharpens the focus for operators to invest in effective communications that include messages that are…
RCP Services Spotlight – RCP Auditing, Due Diligence and Expert Witness Services
RCP’s approach to audits and assessments is typically either consultative or enforcement oriented depending upon the client’s needs. The consultative approach is typically viewed by clients as a cooperative effort that assesses regulatory compliance status in concert with operational and maintenance issues. This method provides feedback on existing management practices versus industry standards. The consultative…
Regulation of Liquid Gathering Pipelines
Buck Furrow of OPS gave a presentation at the Dec. 13, 2005, technical advisory committee meetings concerning regulation of rural crude oil gathering pipelines. The existing hazardous liquid pipeline safety regulations regulate non-rural onshore gathering lines. Hazardous liquid gathering lines are currently defined as pipelines that are 8 5/8″ in diameter or less that transport…