The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources has updated the state regulations for natural gas pipelines (Title 43, Part 13 Office of Conservation Pipeline Safety). The majority of changes were made in order to be consistent with updates made to 49 CFR 192 within the past year. Sections included in the revised regulations include: Section 3…
April 2007
Process Safety Management Services
RCP can develop a comprehensive Process Safety Management Program for your facility; or an assessment of an existing program for maintaining compliance. Click here if you would like information on RCP’s Process Management Services.
OSHA to Train Additional 120 PSM Compliance Inspectors
OSHA expects to have 280 staff members trained to conduct process safety management inspections by August, Assistant Labor Secretary for OSHA Edwin L. Foulke Jr. announced. So far, the federal workplace safety agency has more than 160 employees who are qualified to conduct the inspections. Adding inspectors will ensure that every refinery will be inspected…
MMS Issues Notice to Lesees regarding Revised Civil Penalties
The Minerals Management Services has issued NTL 2007-N02 which outlines revised civil penalties for operators of oil and gas facilities located in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The MMS regulates pipeline facilities, including producer pipelines that originate within the OCS. The revised maximum civil penalties are now set at $35,000 per day per violation for…
PHMSA Opens NPMS for Public Viewing
PHMSA has launched a new web-based tool called the NPMS Public Viewer. The Public Viewer is designed to help the public understand which transmission pipelines exist in their area and to provide a means for the public to contact pipeline operators to obtain additional information. The Public Viewer is accessible on the NPMS web site…
Pending Audits?
Has the DOT notified you of a pending audit? RCP can provide confidential internal auditing to help ensure that your facilities are up to the agency’s latest standards. Click here to find out more.
PHMSA Issues Revised Inspection Protocols
PHMSA has published revised inspection protocols on their website. Several of these protocols have revisions that are not apparent unless they are compared to the previous versions. The Operator Qualification Inspection Protocols include additional guidance questions as well as provide a cross-reference to other associated protocol questions. For example, the items in bolded font below…
PHMSA Issues revised FAQ for Gas Pipeline Integrity Management
FAQ 90: Timing for Determining and Performing Preventive and Mitigative Actions Question: When must operators implement additional preventive and mitigative measures? For example, how long after completing the baseline assessment for a segment can an operator take to conduct a risk analysis and determine whether additional preventive or mitigative actions are needed (including the need…
PHMSA Issues Guidelines for Guided Wave Direct Assessment Methodology
PHMSA has issued guidance on guided wave technology used for integrity management direct assessment. These target items are for guidance only and do not require that notifications contain only this material. Where operators have alternatives to this guidance, it is suggested that they include it along with any justification in their notification. PHMSA will review…
Comments Posted for Proposed Texas Damage Prevention Regulations
The Railroad Commission of Texas has published the comments received in response to the proposed damage prevention regulations in Chapter 18 of the TAC entitled Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention relating to Scope, Applicability, and General Provisions; Definitions; Excavator Notice to Notification Center; Excavator Obligation to Avoid Damage to Underground Pipelines; Operator and Excavator Obligations with…
OSHA Unveils New Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for Influenza Pandemic
OSHA unveiled new workplace safety and health guidance that will help employers prepare for an influenza pandemic. Developed in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic provides general guidance for all types of workplaces, describes the differences between seasonal, avian and pandemic influenza, and…
GeoGathering 2007 Conference, May 7-8
The GeoGathering 2007 Conference is dedicated to providing oil and gas gathering system professionals with a venue to share their experiences implementing and operating geospatial system and the opportunity to discuss industry best practices. Speakers will include W. R. (Bill) Byrd, President of RCP, and others from companies such as Anadarko, BP, Chevron, DCP Midstream,…
API Pipeline Conference, April 17 – 18
The Pipeline Conference will be in Albuquerque, New Mexico this year with registration April 16 and the conference April 17 and 18. Unlike in previous years, there will be technical sessions following the luncheon on the 18th, with the last sessions ending at 4:00pm on the 18th. Admiral Thomas Barrett, the PHMSA Administrator, is scheduled…
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – May 15, 2007
RCP will be hosting our very popular workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance on May 15 in Houston, TX. Join us for an informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance. This workshop has been attended by hundreds of pipeline personnel, with excellent feedback. The workshop provides an overview of the DOT pipeline regulations, and…