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In This Issue

  1. DOT Pipeline Compliance News March 2008 Edition
  2. RCP & ESRI Business Partner Program
  3. PHMSA Appointments
  4. PHMSA Advisory Bulletin – Identifying Issues with Mechanical Couplings that Could Lead to Failure
  5. O & M Manual Up-To-Date?
  6. OCS Pipeline Proposed Rule – Reopening Public Comment Period
  7. Excavation Damage Prevention Resolution Passed by NARUC
  8. Has the new Gas Gathering definition affected your pipelines?
  9. TRRC Study on Compression Type Couplings
  10. Damage Prevention Plans
  11. TRRC Pipeline Eminent Domain and Condemnation
  12. 2008 API Pipeline Conference and Cybernetics Symposium

OCS Pipeline Proposed Rule – Reopening Public Comment Period

Docket ID MMS-2007-OMM-0059; RIN 1010-AD11

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) in the Department of Interior is reopening the comment period for proposed rule AD-11, pipelines and pipeline rights-of-way published on October 3, 2007 (72 FR 56442). That proposed rule requested comments on the revisions to Outer Continental Shelf pipeline and pipeline rights-of-way regulations. Industry has requested more time to review the proposal and submit comments. Commenters have specifically pointed to the comprehensive nature of the rule and the potential for jurisdictional conflicts between MMS and the Department of Transportation regulations as the reason for requesting additional time. The MMS has agreed to reopen the comment period to March 17, 2008. The MMS may not fully consider comments received after this date.

The MMS also held a public meeting to discuss the proposed rule in the MMS Gulf of Mexico Regional Office on February 22, 2008. MMS officials provided an overview of the proposed regulations and then turned the meeting over for comments. Members of the API Offshore Operating Committee and INGAA provided comments relating to the proposal. Several concerns addressed proposed reporting requirements, integrity management technologies and challenges, potential overlaps between PHMSA and MMS regulations, and cost basis for implementation of the proposed regulations. For a copy of the proposed regulations, please contact Jessica Roger.