Operators of intrastate pipelines that begin and end in Texas, placing them under the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) pipeline safety regulation, can get a jump on 2019 pipeline mileage fees due April 1, 2019 by preparing now. The annual pipeline mileage fee is one of two fees authorized by the 85th Texas Legislature in 2017 to fund RRC’s pipeline safety regulatory program. On Oct. 1, 2018, the Commission began charging a $500 permit processing fee for each new and renewed permit.

The annual pipeline mileage fee due April 1 is calculated using pipeline permit mapping information supplied by operators in their T-4 permits. The Commission has divided intrastate pipelines into two groups defined below:

• Group A (RRC Regulated = Yes) includes transmission and gathering pipelines that are required by RRC rules to have a valid T-4 permit to operate and are subject to the regulations in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 192 and 195. Group A pipelines include natural gas transmission and storage pipelines, natural gas gathering pipelines, hazardous liquids transmission and storage pipelines, and hazardous liquids gathering pipelines.
• Group B (RRC Regulated = No) includes gathering pipelines that are required by RRC rules to have a valid T-4 permit to operate but are not subject to the regulations in 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195. Group B pipelines include intrastate production and gathering pipelines leaving a lease.

The miles in each permit of Group A and Group B pipelines respectively, are added together and rounded up to the nearest mile. The sum is used to calculate the annual mileage fee. Operators will use the number of miles permitted as of Dec. 31, 2018 to calculate their 2019 pipeline mileage fee. The deadline for payment without incurring late penalties is April 1, 2019.

Operators may review the mileage chart showing their permits for which a fee is owed by visiting the RRC website and selecting “Mileage Chart – 2019” under “Helpful Links”.

All mileage fees are required to be paid through the Pipeline Online Permitting System (POPS) in the RRC Online System. For instructions, visit the RRC website.

For additional information, contact RRC at 512-463-7058 or pops@rrc.texas.gov.

[CAUSE NO. RM 201800020 / NUMBER 165:20 – GAS & HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE SAFETY]

The Transportation Division of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (“Commission”) recommended that the Commission amend the Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety rules that are set forth in the Oklahoma Administrative Code (“OAC”) 165:20. The proposed rules from December 20, 2018, have been revised. In addition to misc. updates and amendments which mostly follow federal pipeline safety changes, the proposed rule changes include these additions:

• OAC 165:20-17-6 would be added as a new permanent rule requiring operators to provide additional information to excavators.
• OAC 165:20-17-7 would be added as a new permanent rule listing requirements for reporting damages.
• OAC 165:20-17-8 would be added as a new permanent rule requiring a written report of damages caused by excavation.
• OAC 165:20-17-9 would be added as a new permanent rule outlining the procedure for filing a complaint against an excavator for failing to comply with the Oklahoma Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act.

The Commission is amending the operator obligations under the Oklahoma Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act. An operator must notify the excavator of the size and material of an active underground facility. Additionally, operators must notify the Commission’s Pipeline Safety Department within one hour of confirmed discovery of damage as well as submit a semi-annual damage summary report. Complaints against an excavator or pipeline operator for failure to comply can be made to the Commission’s Pipeline Safety Department.

The Commission invites all interested persons to submit comments regarding the proposed changes to the Rules on or before February 20, 2019. The Commission will hold a public hearing on and consider adoption of the proposed permanent rule(s) at 9:30 a.m., February 27, 2019 in Courtroom 301 of the Jim Thorpe Office Building, 2101 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Further information and inquiries regarding this proposed rulemaking should be directed to Michael Copeland, Deputy General Counsel, by telephone (405) 522- 1638 or by e-mail; or Darren Ferguson, Assistant General Counsel by telephone (405) 522-5491, or by e-mail.

For a copy of the revised proposed rulemaking, contact Jessica Foley.

The Missouri Public Service Commission has updated its regulations for Gas Utilities and Gas Safety Standards, effective January 30, 2019. The updates included:

• New and revised definitions.
• Clarifying that the PHMSA additional design and construction requirements for steel pipe using alternative maximum allowable operating pressure are not adopted for state requirements.
• Added conditions and requirements for the installation of excess flow valves for new and modified service lines and to require operators to negotiate with customers for a date to install an excess flow valve if the customer does not meet the conditions necessary for a required installation.

[DOCKET NO. PHMSA-2014-0098]

On December 20, 2018, the American Gas Association filed a petition for reconsideration of the Plastic Pipe Rule. The AGA raised concerns about the ability of operators to fully implement the rule by the effective date of January 22, 2019. Specific concerns were raised regarding implementation timeframe for training, operator qualification, modifications to processes and availability of equipment from third party suppliers.

In light of the recent federal lapse in funding, PHMSA could not process the request before the January 22nd effective date. PHMSA will complete a review and act upon the petition after the shutdown ends, and publish the final determination in the Federal Register. Until PHMSA issues its determination, PHMSA will suspend enforcement action on the new rule implementation date and recommend state regulators exercise similar discretion. PHMSA expects all operators are moving forward with due diligence to implement the new rule effectively across their respective organizations.

RCP is now offering a 1-Day Pressure Test Design & Analysis Workshop at its facilities in downtown Houston. This workshop is appropriate for all those responsible for the design, execution and/or evaluation of any type of pipeline pressure test on liquid or gas pipelines whether it be new construction or in-situ. With specific focus on the engineering aspect of pressure testing, project managers & engineers as well as compliance staff of pipeline operating companies would benefit the most from this training.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

The principles of good pressure test design and evaluation will be the focus for the morning session. All pressure types will be covered, including discussion on calculating the MAOP or MOP from test pressures. The afternoon session will discuss the execution of pressure tests including reviewing a test plan, case studies and how to properly document and close the loop on pressure tests.

PRELIMINARY AGENDA

• Designing a Pressure Test
• Pressure Test Acceptance Criteria
• Evaluating a pressure test
• Planning and Documentation
• Case Studies
• Pressure Test Myths and Misinformation

For more information and registration, click here.

[PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2018]

The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) Foundation and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Foundation released “The Practical Guide for Facility Inspectors,” designed to provide guidance to personnel who inspect a company’s construction of facilities.

[TITLE 18.60.5 NMAC / CASE #18-00262-PL]

Effective January 15, 2019 the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission updated requirements regarding excavation area locate requests pertaining to the state One-Call system. Excavators must now contact the one-call notification system 2 working days prior to any excavation reasonably expected to take more than 15 days. This replaces the previous 10 working days expectation. Additionally, excavators must now pre-mark the actual intended excavation route or site(s). Excavation activity shall be suspended if location markings have been removed, or are no longer visible, in which case a relocate request must be initiated for the area yet to be excavated.