April 2005

API/AOPL Issue IMP Update to US Congress

The American Petroleum Institute and Association of Oil Pipelines issued a joint letter to Congress in January regarding the compliance status of the liquid pipeline integrity management rules. The letter provided details on compliance with rule deadlines, integrity assessment results, actions taken by operators to remediate identified issues, and OPS enforcement actions. A copy of…

Texas Railroad Commission & Louisiana Department of Natural Resources sign MOU

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to provide written notice to each other when certain oil and gas activities will occur near each side of the state line. Both states also agreed that a 15-day prior notice of approved…

OPS Issues new FAQ’s for Gas IMP

The OPS has updated several Frequently Asked Questions for Gas Integrity Management Programs this past month. To see each response from the OPS, click on the questions below. For a list of all FAQ’s, go to primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp/faqlist.gim . FAQ-233. Does growth of an existing HCA, which introduces new length of pipeline segment into the HCA,…

Texas LP-Gas: Proposed Rule Revisions

The Railroad Commission of Texas proposes amendments, repeals, and new sections in 16 TAC Chapter 9, relating to LP-Gas Safety Rules. The Commission proposes these amendments, repeals, and new rules to update some training and continuing education requirements, to clarify changes in Commission offices or procedures as a result of a reorganization of LP-gas activities…

Operator Qualification Update – OQSG User Group Meeting, Houston TX March 23rd-24th

As mentioned in last month’s newsletter (March 2005 DOT Pipeline Compliance News), OPS issued a Final Rule that outlines certain requirements for personnel training, notice of program changes, government review and verification of programs, and use of on-the-job performance as a qualification method. This Direct Final Rule goes into effect July 1, 2005, if OPS…

Liquids Integrity Management FAQ Update

The OPS has issued a proposed response to the following Frequently Asked Question relating to temporary pressure reductions after identification of an immediate repair condition: Question: FAQ E.1: Section 195.452(h)(4)(i) requires that I temporarily reduce pressure in response to an immediate repair condition. The same paragraph also requires that I must calculate the reduction using…

Who you gonna call? 8-1-1

On March 10, 2005, the FCC approved a nationwide number for damage prevention (one-call) notifications – 811. When this new three digit number is fully implemented (which will take about 1 year), it will automatically be routed to an appropriate one-call center, providing an easy-to-remember method for excavators to fulfill their one-call notification requirements anywhere…

Updates to Pipeline Safety Rules – RSPA to PHMSA

In accordance with the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act, which reorganized the Department’s pipeline and hazardous materials safety programs into the new Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), all references to the former Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) in 49 CFR parts 190 through 199 have been changed effective…