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In This Issue

  1. Low Stress Liquid Pipeline Jurisdiction Final Rule
  2. Jurisdictional Determination
  3. PHMSA Advisory Bulletin (ADB-11-03) Deadline for 2010 Mapping Reports
  4. DIMP Inspection Forms Updated
  5. Pending Audits?
  6. Advisory Committee Meetings & New Subcommittee Meetings
  7. State of the National Pipeline Infrastructure Report
  8. Public Awareness Effectiveness Program Inspections
  9. Public Meetings on Managing Challenges with Pipeline Seam Welds and Improving Pipeline Risk Assessments and Recordkeeping
  10. Control Room Management Services
  11. PHMSA Hazardous Liquid Annual Report Webinar
  12. Summer Gas Conferences

Low Stress Liquid Pipeline Jurisdiction Final Rule

[Docket PHMSA-2008-0186; Amdt. 195-96]

On May 5, 2011, PHMSA finalized their Phase II rulemaking for low stress liquid pipelines, as required by the PIPES Act. This rulemaking creates 3 (actually 4) categories of low stress pipelines. Low stress pipelines that are in non-rural areas or which cross navigable waters have long been regulated by PHMSA. That is the 4th category of low stress liquid pipelines, in your editor’s humble opinion, which he has taken the liberty of calling Category 0 pipelines.

Category 1 pipelines are those that are greater than or equal to 8″ o.d. and within 1/2 mile of a USA. These pipelines were regulated by the earlier Phase I rulemaking (see related article in the June 2008 edition of the DOT Pipeline Compliance News for additional details). The latest rulemaking creates Category 2 pipelines, which are identical to Category 1 pipelines but are less than 8″ o.d., and with later compliance deadlines. The latest rule also establishes Category 3 pipelines, which are any low stress pipelines that are not Categories 0, 1 or 2. Category 3 pipelines have the same compliance deadlines as Category 2 pipelines, but are not required to develop a pipeline integrity management plan.

It is important to note that, while the deadlines for compliance may be in the future, these newly regulated low stress pipelines are required to comply with the complete set of DOT pipeline safety regulations (except for IMP, for Category 3 pipelines). This includes Control Room Management, Public Awareness, Corrosion Control, and O&M procedure manuals.

Contact Jessica Roger for a simplified table that contains all the compliance deadlines for each category of low stress pipeline and a copy of the Final Rule.