The safe operation of offshore cranes is a critical issue for the petroleum exploration and production industry. API is hosting the “Offshore Crane Operations and Safety Conference 2003” at the Lafayette Hilton on June 24-25, 2003. The event is co-sponsored by MMS, OOC, IADC, OMSA, NOIA, and ASME. At the conference, you can gather information…
April 2003
Final rule – Security Requirements for Offerors and Transporters of Hazardous Materials
The Research and Special Programs Administration is establishing new requirements to enhance the security of hazardous materials transported in commerce. Shippers and carriers of certain highly hazardous materials must develop and implement security plans. In addition, all shippers and carriers of hazardous materials must assure that their employee training includes a security component. This final…
Louisiana DEQ – Postponement of Permit Deadline for Oil and Gas Construction Activities
The LDEQ has proposed a rule to allow operators at construction sites related to oil and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations, or transmission facilities that disturb equal to or greater than one acre and less than five acres of land to legally conduct those construction activities without being permitted until March 10, 2005,…
Pipeline Safety Definitions – Louisiana Department of Natural Resources; Office of Conservation
The Louisiana Office of Conservation has proposed to promulgate new definitions for master meter, school and special class gas systems in :AC 43:XIII.125 et seq. in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950 et seq., and pursuant to the power delegated under the laws of the state of Louisiana. In accordance…
Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas (Gas Transmission Pipelines) – notice of extension of comment period
RSPA/OPS published a proposed rule on pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas for gas transmission pipelines on January 28, 2003 ( 68 FR 4278 ). That notice provided a 60-day comment period ending on March 31, 2003. By petition dated March 6, 2003, the American Gas Association (AGA), the American Public Gas Association (APGA),…
Texas Proposed Rule – Direct Assessment Approval
The Railroad Commission of Texas proposes to amend �8.101 (relating to Pipeline Integrity Assessment and Management Plans for Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquids Pipelines) to provide an alternative means for approval of the use of direct assessment by hazardous liquids and natural gas pipeline operators as an assessment tool. Currently, �8.101(b)(1) requires that a hearing…
Texas Proposed Rule – Discontinuation of Service
The Railroad Commission of Texas has withdrawn its proposal to adopt new �8.340, relating to Discontinuance of Service, published in the October 25, 2002, issue of the Texas Register, and is proposing new �8.240, relating to Discontinuance of Service, which applies when a natural gas service customer ceases taking service at a particular location. The…
Texas Pipeline Construction – Proposed Notification Rule
The Texas Railroad Commission has proposed a rule requiring public notice for all pipelines that cross more than three counties and for which construction began on or after September 1, 2001. The term “construction” means any activity conducted during the initial construction of a new pipeline or an extension of an existing pipeline, regardless of…
Revised Texas Community Liaison Rule
The Texas Railroad Commission has published a revised regulation concerning Public Education and Liaison for gas and liquid pipelines. This revised proposal replaces the proposal issued on September 27, 2002 (see our October, 2002 newsletter). The revised proposal requires that pipeline operators or their agents communicate and conduct liaison activities with fire, police, and other…
Oil and Gas Construction Activity Storm Water NPDES Permit Deadline Extension
The EPA has postponed until March 10, 2005, the requirement to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm water permit for oil and gas construction activity that disturbs one to five acres of land. On December 8, 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule expanding the then-existing NPDES permitting program…
Cost-Benefit Study of Excess Flow Valve Installation on Gas Service Lines – Notice of study availability and request for public comments
Cost-Benefit Study of Excess Flow Valve Installation on Gas Service Lines – Notice of study availability and request for public comments As a result of its investigation into gas explosion and fire in the South Riding subdivision, Loudoun County, Virginia, the NTSB issued Recommendation P-01-2. It urges RSPA to require the installation of EFVs in…
Federal Advisory Committee Meeting: Electronic Transmission and Storage of Drug Testing Information
The Department of Transportation (DOT) Electronic Transmission and Storage of Drug Testing Information Federal Advisory Committee will meet for the second time in a public session on April 7-8, 2003, at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Crystal City-National Airport, 1300 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, (703) 979-9799, FAX: (703) 892-8121. The purpose of the Committee…
Critical Energy Infrastructure Information: Final rule
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) has issued a final rule establishing a procedure for gaining access to critical energy infrastructure information (CEII) that would otherwise not be available under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). These restrictions and the final rule were necessitated by the terrorist acts committed on September 11, 2001, and the…