Several gas pipeline integrity management FAQ’s have been posted on the OPS website recently. Click on the link to view the answers provided:
- FAQ-174. The centerline of a pipeline may not be accurately determined via GIS or other method. The locations of structures (e.g., from aerial photography) may also involve inaccuracies. What provisions must be taken to address for inaccuracies in these measurements, in order to accurately determine the relative location of structures with respect to the pipeline? [10/02/2006]
- FAQ-133. Must I do a full assessment every 7 years if my pipeline is subject to threats other than external and internal corrosion. [09/27/2006]
- FAQ-235. If Guided Wave UT is used as part of the ICDA process, is it considered “other technology” requiring notification to OPS/states? [08/30/2006]
- FAQ-22. Why is it important that operators know the specific characteristics of high consequence areas their pipelines traverse? [08/14/2006]
- FAQ-68. Must tool accuracy be considered when determining if an anomaly detected by in-line inspection meets repair criteria? [08/14/2006]
- FAQ-90. When must operators implement additional preventive and mitigative measures? For example, how long after completing the baseline assessment for a segment can an operator take to conduct a risk analysis and determine whether additional preventive or mitigative actions are needed (including the need for ASVs/RCVs)? If an operator determines that additional actions are warranted, how long does it have to implement them? [08/14/2006]
- FAQ-215. ASME B31.8S states that Immediate conditions shall be examined within five days after determination of the condition. Is this 5 day requirement part of the Final Rule? [08/14/2006]
- FAQ-27. Can assessments performed before the effective date of the rule be relied on as baseline assessments? [08/02/2006]
- FAQ-238. What must I include in my IM program documentation to describe a “process” required by the rule? [08/02/2006]
- FAQ-239. How much detail must I include when the rule requires that I “justify” an action or decision? [08/02/2006]
- FAQ-240. What must I do for “data integration”? [08/02/2006]
- FAQ-241. May I exclude metal loss indications of >80% wall loss from immediate repair requirements per 933(d)(1), if B31G or RSTRENG predict a failure pressure of greater than 1.1 times MAOP? [08/02/2006]
- FAQ-242. How can I demonstrate that I have applied more restrictive criteria the first time I used ECDA (required by 192.925(b)(1)-(3) and NACE-0502-2002)? [08/02/2006]
- FAQ-243. What does PHMSA expect to see in a direct assessment feasibility study? [08/02/2006]