Every operator of a pipeline facility (except distribution lines and gas gathering lines) must provide PHMSA geospatial data, attributes, metadata, contact information and a transmittal letter appropriate for use in the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS). Operators submit this information each year on or before March 15 for gas transmission and LNG plant operators, or June 15 for hazardous liquid operators. PHMSA uses this data to maintain and improve the accuracy of the NPMS’ information.
PHMSA acknowledges operators’ concerns regarding the amount of time needed to compile, research, and/or prepare the data required for this information collection. PHMSA is expanding the data attributes collected and will require these new data elements in three phases. Phase 1 data will be collected no earlier than March 15/June 15, 2022 (CY 2021 data) in the first submission year; Phase 2 data will be collected the second submission year; and, Phase 3 data will be collected in 2024. The data elements in each phase are listed below.
Phase 1 Data
- Pipe diameter
- Commodity detail
- Pipe material
- Pipe join method
- Onshore/offshore
- In-line inspection (yes/no)
- Class location
- Gas HCA segment
- Abandoned pipelines
- Breakout tanks
- LNG plants
- Coated (yes/no)
Phase 2 Data
- Seam type
- Pipe grade
- Wall thickness
- FRP Sequence Number
- Decade of installation
- Segment could affect an HCA
- Assessment method
- Assessment year
Phase 3 Data (Collected in 2024)
- New standards will be released for to improve positional accuracy of pipeline operator’s NPMS Submissions.
In addition, NPMS has recently released updates of the data utilized for determining High Consequence Areas (HCA) as follows:
- Version 5 of the Commercially Navigable Waterways (CNW) data is now available from NPMS. This data is reviewed and updated as needed every two years. (Released 11/2019)
- New Great Lakes Unusually Sensitive Area (USA) is now available. This data can be viewed on a pipeline map in PIMMA or the NPMS Public Map Viewer. (Released 10/2019)
- High Population Area (HPA) and Other Population Area (OPA) data were updated and are available from NPMS. (Released 2/2018)
NPMS Drinking Water USA have not been updated since 1999. Drinking water USA are defined by the following criteria:
- The surface water intake for Community Water Systems and Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems that do not have an Adequate Alternative Drinking Water Source;
- The Source Water Protection Area for Community Water Systems and Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems that obtain their water supply from a Class I or Class IIA aquifer and do not have an Adequate Alternative Drinking Water Sources, if available. If the Source Water Protection Area is not available, the Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) becomes the USA; and
- The aquifer recharge area for sole source aquifers that are karst in nature
RCP has updated our Drinking Water USA data in 2020 for the state of Texas utilizing the above criteria with Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) water source data. This data is utilized exclusively by RCP to provide our clients up to date/accurate HCA evaluations within their Integrity Management Plan.
For more information on this topic, please email Jessica Foley.