AMPP’s latest release, Guide 21569-2024, offers a comprehensive roadmap for pipeline operators to align with PHMSA’s revised regulations on corrosion control. Developed by industry experts, this guide provides practical strategies for compliance with enhanced safety measures, benefiting both US and international gas transmission pipeline operators. It addresses critical aspects such as integrity management, repair criteria, and cathodic protection, ushering in a new era of pipeline safety and integrity.

Click here to read more about this standard.

PHMSA has published the voting slides and transcripts from the March 25– 29 GPAC meeting, which covered the NPRM for Class Location Change Requirements and the NPRM for Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair.  Those slides and meeting transcripts can be found here.

On April 10, 2024, PHMSA extended the comment submission deadline for the proceedings of the GPAC by 120 days for the Class Location Change Requirements NPRM. However, the submission deadline for comments on the Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair NPRM were not extended and remains as April 29, 2024.

[Docket No.: PHMSA-2022-0085]

Stay in the loop with the latest PHMSA proposed form changes as of March 25, 2024. Our summary provides essential insights to keep you informed and prepared.

• Operator ID Request & National Registry Notification Forms 
  PHMSA has added an option for Blended Natural Gas and Hydrogen Gas – a natural gas stream which is blended by intentionally injecting hydrogen gas into the stream at varying percentages. 
  
• Gas Distribution, Gas Gathering & Transmission Incident Reports 
  PHMSA proposes to add a question on the natural gas incident reports regarding Blended Natural Gas and Hydrogen Gas and the percentage by volume of hydrogen gas transported. 
  
• Gas Distribution, Gas Gathering & Transmission Annual Reports 
  PHMSA proposes to add Blended Natural Gas and Hydrogen Gas to the commodity groups that can be selected in the Natural Gas Annual Reports. 
  
  The Gas Gathering & Transmission Annual Report will require miles of pipe between a set of RMVs or alternative equivalent technologies to be entered in PART U – Miles of Onshore Pipe by Shut-Off Segment, Class Location, HCA, and Nominal Pipe Size. 
  
• Hazardous Liquids Annual Report 
  Miles of pipe between a set of RMVs or alternative equivalent technologies are to be entered in PART S – Miles of Onshore Pipe by Shut-Off segment, HCA, and Nominal Pipe Size. 

For a copy of this notice from the Federal Register, please contact Jessica Foley.

The State of Missouri has amended the rules in the Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division 4240 – Public Service Commission, Chapter 40 – Gas Utilities and Gas Safety Standards, effective March 1, 2024. These rule changes address amendments by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety, 49 CFR Parts 191 Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline; Annual, Incident , and Other Reporting, and 192 Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards, promulgated between January 2021 and December 2023 (i.e., RIN 3, RIN 2, RMV). The State of Missouri regulations now match those of PHMSA. This amendment also incorporated by reference the most recent version of 49 CFR Parts 40 and 199, Drug and Alcohol Testing. Below is a list of some of the additional State requirements that have been revised: 

• Affiliate Transactions 
• Marketing Affiliate Transactions 
• HVAC Services Affiliate Transactions 
• Natural Gas Price Volatility Mitigation 
• Immediate Notice of Missouri Incidents 
  • Estimated property damage of $17,500 
• Submittal of Welding/Joining Procedures and Construction Standards 
• Uniform System of Accounts-Gas Corporations 
• Filing Requirements for Gas Utility Rate Schedules 
• Submission Requirements for Gas Utility Depreciation Studies 

For a copy of the Missouri Safety Standard, contact Jessica Foley.

The Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission (“OGC”) has proposed amendments to Commission General Rule D-23, “General Rule for the Regulation of Underground Natural Gas Storage Projects.” Specifically, the rule amendments are promulgated to provide for the underground storage of other gases, such as carbon oxides, ammonia, hydrogen, nitrogen, and noble gas. The OGC accepted comments up until April 15, 2024. Interested parties can review the redlined proposed general rule in person at the OGC offices in North Little Rock, Arkansas, at 5301 Northshore Drive, phone 501-683-5816; or online at the OGC website.

Underground Gas Storage
RCP is the market leader for underground gas storage integrity and risk management.  We have unmatched industry leaders available to assess your program and provide practical feedback and recommendations for improving your gas storage integrity and risk programs.  For more information about RCP’s underground gas storage integrity management and risk analysis services, visit our website  or contact Jessica Foley.

April marks an important time of the year as it is designated as Safe Digging Month, a period dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of safe digging practices and preventing underground utility damage.

Think again. 40% of active diggers don’t contact 811 before digging because they think their project is too shallow to require it.

The truth is, utilities can be buried just inches below the surface. The only way to know for sure is to contact 811 before any digging project. Contact www.811beforeyoudig.com.

Do you have questions? RCP’s SMEs have the answers. Information will be posted here for questions we often get from clients or discussions we have with regulators regarding interpretations and pending regulatory deadlines.

Q:  Do I have to do ILI on newly constructed pipe? 

A: Yes, hydro is the baseline – don’t have to ILI new construction. 

Ask the Experts