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In This Issue

  1. PHMSA Advisory Bulletin ADB-2014-02: Lessons Learned from the Release at Marshall, Michigan
  2. RCP Integrity Services
  3. PHMSA Notice Gas Distribution Annual Report Revisions
  4. PHMSA Pipeline Fines Break Record in 2013
  5. NTSB Report on PHMSA’s State Pipeline Safety Program
  6. PHMSA Class Location Workshop
  7. Class Location Studies
  8. Texas Workshops on Regulation of Class 1 and Rural Gathering
  9. Ohio Public Utilities Commission Pipeline Safety Regulation Updates
  10. Jurisdictional Determination
  11. Pipeline 101 Website Revision Live
  12. RCP Integrity Services Adds More Experience to its Roster
  13. Spring/Summer Conference Schedule
  14. Send us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses of Pipeline Samples, yearning to breathe free.
  15. New RCP Pipeline Pressure Testing Workshop August 26 & 27

PHMSA Class Location Workshop

[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023]

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) held a public workshop on April 16th to explore whether applying the integrity management (IM) requirements beyond high consequence area (HCAs) would mitigate the need for class location requirements. Locations along gas pipelines are divided into classes from 1 (rural) to 4 (densely populated) and are based upon the number of buildings or dwellings for human occupancy. Allowable pipe operating stresses, as a percentage of specified minimum yield strength (SMYS), decrease as class location increases from Class 1 to Class 4 locations. Gas IMP requirements use a different approach to identify areas of higher risk along pipelines.

The workshop had presentations from PHMSA, State representatives, AGA, INGAA, GPA and APGA and other representatives to review benefits and drawbacks of both methodologies, and the implications of removing class location. AGA noted that operators have been using class location in their policies and procedures successfully since implementation and removing it from code would be complex and disruptive. AGA supports a parallel approach to allow operators to continue using class location, but also allow the use of Integrity Management principles to satisfy class location upgrade requirements in lieu of retesting or replacing operationally functional transmission pipeline that meets safety standards. NAPSR and other State Utility bodies also supported not removing class location since it would affect state code. INGAA recommended a full PIR-based approach, and also a single design factor.

Presentations from the workshop can be found through the link: http://1.usa.gov/1nfT3rP. PHMSA is giving 30 days for comments in Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023 on www.regulations.gov.