[Docket No. PHMSA-2012-0001]
PHMSA
issued Advisory Bulletin (ADB–2012–04) to Owners and Operators of Pipeline and
LNG Facilities, regarding the Implementation of the National Registry of
Pipeline and LNG Operators. A full copy of this Advisory Bulletin is printed
below. Please note: Effective March 27, operators can complete the
validation process online.
Advisory: This notice advises owners and operators of pipeline
facilities of PHMSA’s plan for implementing the national registry of pipeline
and LNG operators. This notice provides updates to the information contained in
a PHMSA Advisory Bulletin on the same subject published on January 13, 2012 (77
FR 2126).
OPID Assignment Requests— §§ 191.22(a) and 195.64(a)
From January 1, 2012, to January 27, 2012, PHMSA collected fillable pdf
versions of OPID Assignment Request (Form F 1000.1). Starting January 27, 2012,
the Online Data Reporting System (ODES) is used by entities requesting a new
OPID. PHMSA is entering the pdf versions of OPID Assignment Request forms into
ODES and will notify requestors when the OPID has been established.
While subject to the pipeline safety regulations, operators of master meter
systems or petroleum gas systems that serve fewer than 100 customers from a
single source are not required to file annual reports (see 49 CFR 191.11(b)).
There were several thousand master meter system operators and several hundred
small liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) operators who fell within the scope of this
exception as of December 31, 2011. While also subject to the requirements of 49
CFR 191.22, PHMSA previously determined that the operators of these systems
would not be required to obtain an OPID. Instead, PHMSA agreed to create OPIDs
for these operators based on the existing data in the agency’s files. That is
currently underway and will be completed by May 1, 2012.
In light of this experience, PHMSA has decided that master meter and small LPG
operators established after December 31, 2011, will be required to obtain an
OPID in accordance with 49 CFR 191.22. On May 1, 2012, PHMSA will modify ODES
to allow these master meter and small LPG operators to request an OPID. The
requirement to request an OPID continues to not apply to master meter and small
LPG operators in existence prior to December 31, 2011.
Notifications—§§ 191.22(c) and 195.64(c)
On January 1, 2012, PHMSA began collecting fillable pdf versions of
Notifications (Form F 1000.2). Starting March 27, 2012, operators will be able
to submit notifications online through ODES, and PHMSA will enter all of the
pdf versions of the notifications into ODES shortly thereafter.
Hazardous liquid pipeline operators are advised to disregard the notification
requirement in §195.64(c)(1)(iii). That provision requires notification for
construction of any new pipeline facility without regard to cost. Section
195.64(c)(1)(i) also requires notification for construction of a new pipeline
facility, but only for those projects with a cost of $10 million or more. PHMSA
only wants notification of hazardous liquid pipeline facility construction
projects with a cost of $10 million or more and plans to remove §
195.64(c)(1)(iii) in a future rulemaking.
OPID Validation — §§191.22(b) and 195.64(b)
On March 27, 2012, operators will be able to complete the validation process
online. PHMSA requests that all OPIDs issued prior to January 1, 2012, complete
the validation process. As with OPID Assignment Requests, master meter and
small LPG operators in existence prior to December 31, 2011, are not required
to complete the validation process. Based on the delayed availability of the
on-line validation process, PHMSA is extending the regulatory deadline for
validation from June 30, 2012, to September 30, 2012. PHMSA recommends that
operators submit calendar year 2011 annual reports at least five working days
prior to completing the validation process.
Further details on how to submit reports to PHMSA are available at http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov. Questions should
be directed to the Office of Pipeline Safety operator helpline at 202–366–8075.