The U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS) issued a notice to lessees and operators in the Gulf of Mexico OCS region, NTL No. 2008-G03. It clarifies current policy by specifying that some of the pollution inspections for unmanned facilities are to be accomplished by physically boarding the facility. According to 30 CFR…
April 2008
Need to Update your Response Plan (FRP, ICP or OSRP)?
We have the expertise to update your Facility Response Plan, Integrated Contingency Plan, or Oil Spill Response Plan to include new guidance and lessons learned from recent incidents and natural disasters. Please contact Jessica Roger for more information.
MMS Incident and Oil Spill Reports NTL No. 2008-G02
The U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS) issued a notice to lessees and operators in the Gulf of Mexico OCS region, NTL No. 2008-G02 regarding new spill reporting instructions. Under 30 CFR 250.188, you must report various incidents to the MMS GOMR immediately through oral communication and provide written reports within 15…
TEEX Pipeline Training Facility / Emergency Responders
The Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is world renowned for its hands-on customized training — providing training and technical assistance to more than 204,000 workers last year. This year, TEEX is building a pipeline prop at their facility which will benefit the industry in training emergency responders. It will be fully functional for training on…
Has the new Gas Gathering definition affected your pipelines?
RCP can conduct a detailed analysis of your gas pipelines to determine end points of production and gathering based upon the recently finalized definition of gas gathering pipelines. The analysis will also determine whether your gathering pipelines are regulated and whether they are classified as Type A or B regulated gas gathering. For more information,…
Proposed Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Rules
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) has proposed numerous revisions to their oil and gas regulations, several of which could affect pipeline operators in the state. These include: New definitions for Gas Gathering System; Gathering Line; and Oil and Gas Facility New gas facility reporting and registration requirements New financial assurance requirements A…
2008 API Pipeline Conference and Cybernetics Symposium
Mark your calendars for the 2008 Pipeline Conference and Cybernetics Symposium at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Florida on April 8 – 10, 2008. Conference registration can be made here, and hotel reservations can be made at The Florida Hotel Orlando. We hope to see you all there!
Distribution Integrity Management
The proposed rule for Distribution Integrity Management has left the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and is now with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The OMB review is the final approval step before the proposed rule can be issued. PHMSA told Congress in the House oversight hearing that it missed the mandated…
Integrity Management Services
RCP can assist pipeline operators with ongoing compliance management and engineering associated with your IMP. This includes direct assessment strategies, tool and vendor selection, ILI/ECDA report analysis, corrosion control programs, repair strategies, and IMP/risk model updates. For more information on how RCP can support your ongoing IMP needs, click here.
Misc. Changes to Administrative Procedures, Address Updates, and Technical Amendments
[Docket No. PHMSA-2007-0033] PHMSA has issued an interim final rule to conform their administrative procedures with the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 (PIPES Act) by establishing the procedures PHMSA will follow in issuing safety orders and handling requests for special permits, including emergency special permits. The interim final rule also notifies…
PHMSA Advisory Bulletin for Gas Distribution Systems
The Department of Transportation / Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT/PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-08-03, “Pipeline Safety: Dangers of Abnormal Snow and Ice Build-Up on Gas Distribution Systems.” Recent events on natural gas distribution system facilities appear to be related to either the stress of snow and ice or malfunction of pressure control equipment due…
MAOP Analysis Model
Are you familiar with our Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) Analysis Model? Changes to MAOP can have a direct impact to the bottom line. Many companies are finding that changes to the pipeline that have occurred over years significantly impact the calculated MAOP value. We can input the data including pressure test records, construction design…
Proposed Rule: Increasing MAOP for Gas Transmission Pipelines
Docket ID PHMSA-2005-23447 The Department of Transportation / Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT/PHMSA) proposed to amend the pipeline safety regulations to prescribe safety requirements for the operation of certain gas transmission pipelines at pressures based on higher stress levels. The result would be an increase of maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) over that currently…
RCP & ESRI Business Partner Program
RCP is pleased to announce our partnership with ESRI in providing consulting services to GIS users. ESRI designs and develops the world’s leading geographic information system (GIS) technology. RCP’s staff includes GIS and mapping experts that conduct high consequence area (HCA) identification, risk assessment, class location analysis, underwater inspections, NPMS/RRC submittals, spill modeling, as well…
DOT Pipeline Compliance News April 2008 Edition
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – May 28 & 29, 2008 RCP will be hosting our very popular 2-day workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance on May 28 & 29, 2008, in Houston, TX. Join us for an informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance. Day 1 (May 28): Gas Pipeline Regulations (49CFR192): Covering all…