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In This Issue

  1. Standards for Direct Assessment of Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipelines
  2. Operator Qualification Rulemaking Update
  3. Acquiring a pipeline?
  4. OPS Issues Draft Stress Corrosion Cracking Study
  5. Integrity Management Plan Up-to-Date?
  6. EPA Issues Final NPDES General Permit for New and Existing Sources and New Dischargers in the Offshore Subcategory of the Oil and Gas Extraction Category for the Western Portion of the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico
  7. Operator Qualification for ILI
  8. O&M Manual Up-To-Date?
  9. Public Meetings on Pipeline Safety Issues
  10. Pending Audits?
  11. TPSSC and THLPSSC Meetings
  12. Need to update your Public Awareness Program?
  13. Petroleum and Transportation Security
  14. RCP Services Spotlight – API Recommended Practice RP 1162 – Pipeline Public Awareness Program UPDATE

Operator Qualification Rulemaking Update

The long awaited ASME B31Q standard for operator qualification will not be ready before the deadline to comply with the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 requirements. RCP understands that the ASME B31Q committee will meet again in July, 2005. This will likely prompt the OPS to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would add the PSIA 2002 requirements to the existing OQ regulations. However, even without new regulations the law will take effect that will require pipeline operators to ensure their OQ Program complies with the following provisions of the PSIA 2002 prior to December 17, 2004:

  1. The method may not be limited to observation of on-the-job performance, except with respect to tasks for which the Secretary has determined that such observation is the best method of examining or testing qualifications. The Secretary shall ensure that the results of any such observations are documented in writing.
  2. A program to provide training, as appropriate, to ensure that individuals performing covered tasks have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the tasks in a manner that ensures the safe operation of pipeline facilities.

If you would like a copy of the PSIA 2002 or would like to discuss how RCP can help update your Operator Qualification Program to meet the PSIA 2002 requirements, please click here.