Effective December 18, 2007, the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) withdrew the proposed amendments and revisions to 16 TAC Chapter 8 – Pipeline Safety Regulations to address new risk management initiatives for the Commission’s pipeline safety evaluation program and to remove outdated or duplicative rule requirements. The proposed amendments included new language to address onshore pipelines…
Uncategorized
Integrity Management Revised Protocols Available
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) Integrity Management Inspection Protocols for hazardous liquid pipeline operators have been revised to reflect rule changes made in July 2007. These protocols are being used to inspect operators for compliance with all aspects of the Integrity Management Rule §195.452. The rule changes require that operators notify PHMSA…
DOT Gas Pipeline Compliance Workshop – March 27, 2008
RCP will be hosting our very popular one-day workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance for Gas Pipelines on March 27th in Denver, Colorado. Join us for an informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance. This workshop has been attended by hundreds of pipeline personnel, with excellent feedback. The workshop provides an overview of the…
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – January 29 & 30, 2008
RCP will be hosting our very popular 2-day workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance on January 29 & 30, 2008, in Houston, TX. Join us for an informative, lively, and interactive workshopon DOT Pipeline Compliance. Day 1 (January 29): Gas Pipeline Regulations (49CFR192): Covering all the topics below but special emphasis will be placed on the…
ERCB Draft Directive 71 – Emergency Preparedness and Response Requirements for the Petroleum Industry
The ERCBH2S dispersion model software program is a new method for emergency planning zone (EPZ) calculation for sour wells, pipelines and facilities. A significant change incorporated into the draft Directive is a new computer software program (ERCBH2S) required for calculating emergency planning zones (EPZs) for sour wells, pipelines and facilities. On January 2, 2008, a…
ERCB Issues Directive 057: Fencing and Site Access Requirements for Oil and Gas Facilities
Directive 057 introduces new requirements for fencing and security that are applicable to ERCB-regulated oil and gas facilities. These new requirements are in addition to existing ERCB fencing and security requirements; together they will ensure an increased level of protection for Albertans. The intent of the directive is to reduce the possibility of incidents of…
Alberta Energy and Utility Board Splits
Effective January 1, 2008, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) has been realigned into two separate regulatory bodies: the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB), which regulates the oil and gas industry, and the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), which regulates the utilities industry. The ERCB regulates the safe, responsible, and efficient development of oil, natural…
2008 API Pipeline Conference and Cybernetics Symposium
Mark your calendars for the 2008 Pipeline Conference and Cybernetics Symposium at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Florida on April 8 – 10, 2008. Conference registration can be made here, and hotel reservations can be made at The Florida Hotel Orlando. We hope to see you all there!
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, contact Jessica Roger.
Public Awareness Programs and Line Markers Workshop
[Docket ID PHMSA-RSPA-2003-15852] PHMSA will host a workshop on February 20-21, 2008 to provide stakeholders with an update on public awareness programs for pipeline operators and to discuss the location of line markers. On the first day, PHMSA will share the findings from its review of written public awareness programs. Between August 8, 2006, and…
PIPA Kickoff
The Pipeline Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) held its public kickoff meetings in January. PIPA was formed as a result of an earlier Transportation Research Board recommendation that DOT develop “risk informed” guidance for property development in the vicinity of transmission pipelines. Representatives of local government planning departments, home builders, property developers, transmission pipeline operators, Local,…
Comments Posted by the TRRC on Proposed Pipeline Regulations
Comments have been posted in the Railroad Commission of Texas website in response to recently proposed pipeline regulations (16 TAC §§8.206, 8.207, 8.208) regarding risk-based leak inspection, leak grading, and mandatory removal and replacement program for compression couplings used for gas distribution pipelines. A public meeting was held in January to discuss the proposed rule.…
Colorado Pipeline Regulation Proposals
At our March 27 DOT workshop in Denver, Steve Pott, the Chief of Pipeline Safety in Colorado, will make a presentation concerning recently proposed changes to gas pipeline jurisdiction and regulation within the State of Colorado. These changes are expected to impact gathering pipelines.
DOT Pipeline Compliance News February 2008 Edition
DOT Gas Pipeline Compliance Workshop – March 27, 2008 RCP will be hosting our very popular one-day workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance for Gas Pipelines on March 27th in Denver, Colorado. Join us for an informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance. This workshop has been attended by hundreds of pipeline personnel, with…
2008 API Pipeline Conference and Cybernetics Symposium
Mark your calendars for the 2008 Pipeline Conference and Cybernetics Symposium at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Florida on April 8 – 10, 2008. Conference registration can be made here, and hotel reservations can be made at The Florida Hotel Orlando. We hope to see you all there!
TRRC Pipeline Eminent Domain and Condemnation
Several questions and answers were posted on the Texas Railroad Commission website to provide general information about pipeline companies in Texas and their powers of eminent domain. To view a complete list of questions and answers, go to: http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/eminentdomain.html. Q: Does the RRC have to approve the route of a proposed pipeline?A: Generally, no. The…
Damage Prevention Plans
RCP can develop or update your Damage Prevention plan. For more information about how RCP can assist you with your Damage Prevention Plan, click here.
TRRC Study on Compression Type Couplings
The Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC), Safety Division, initiated a study into the use of compression couplings in natural gas distribution systems as a result of three incidents involving mechanical type compression couplings. In addition to the recent incidents in Texas, there is history within other states of significant incidents related to coupling failures. While the…
Has the new Gas Gathering definition affected your pipelines?
RCP can conduct a detailed analysis of your gas pipelines to determine end points of production and gathering based upon the recently finalized definition of gas gathering pipelines. The analysis will also determine whether your gathering pipelines are regulated and whether they are classified as Type A or B regulated gas gathering. For more information,…
Excavation Damage Prevention Resolution Passed by NARUC
A resolution addressing excavation damage prevention was adopted by state utility regulators according to the American Gas Association (AGA). The resolution was adopted by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). The resolution calls for the incorporation of nine elements into state pipeline safety regulations and/or laws. Thru the Excavation Damage Prevention Initiative, stakeholders…