The NLS Group has joined the RCP, Paradigm and Celeritas team to provide operators with effective, nationwide Pipeline Education Meeting Programs. The Public Education Meeting Programs can educate the surrounding stakeholders of incremental expansion projects, planned maintenance, or effectively educate excavators, local emergency responders, and public officials. All curriculums include feedback surveys to assess the…
February 2005
OPS Gas IMP Oversight Implementation and Inspection Protocol Workshop – January 2005
The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) cosponsored a workshop in Atlanta to discuss the oversight implementation of the Gas Integrity Management program and the Inspection Protocols. The workshop provided a detailed review and discussion of Gas Pipeline Integrity Management Inspection Protocols as posted on the Gas…
ASME Draft Standard B31Q Pipeline Personnel Qualification Draft Posted
ASME and AOPL recently announced that ASME will make a proposed draft available of B31Q Pipeline Personnel Qualification not later than February 3, 2005 for an open review and comment period through February 15, 2005. For more information go to https://secure.asme.org/codes/b31qform.cfm.
API’s 56th Annual Pipeline Conference, April 19-20, 2005
Make plans now to attend the American Petroleum Institute’s 56th Annual Pipeline Conference scheduled for April 19-20, 2005 at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Austin, Texas. The Conference will feature 5 tracks: People, Regulatory Update, Technology, Operations and Public Information and Communication. Reed Berry “The Traffic Guy” will speak to the audience during the opening…
RSPA Report on Research Activities; Request for Comments
The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) is being replaced by two new Federal agencies: the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). These new organizations will be effective no later than February 28, 2005. RITA is a new Department of Transportation (DOT) organization dedicated to advancing…
Louisiana to Increase Drug and Alcohol Inspections
Recently, Louisiana OPS indicated plans to increase inspections of written drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs. Operator programs should be compare their program to the DOT Inspection Checklist to ensure compliance. Take note that there are separate protocols for drug inspection and alcohol inspection which are further broken down for headquarters and field. For the…
Semi-Annual Reporting of Gas Pipeline Integrity Management Performance Measures
Operators are required by 49 CFR 192.945 to submit integrity management performance measures semi-annually. The next semi-annual report is due February 28, 2005. OPS has issued an Advisory Bulletin (ADB-05-01) concerning the requirements for the next submittal. OPS reiterated in their GAS IMP meeting on January 20, 2005, that they expect 100% compliance with this…
Editorial Revision – Gas Transmission Line Definition
On June 14, 2004, RSPA/OPS issued a final rule titled “Periodic Updates to Pipeline Safety Regulations” (69 FR 32886). The final rule amended various sections of the pipeline safety regulations and incorporated the most recent editions of the voluntary consensus standards publications referenced in the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations in 49 CFR parts 192 and…
Extension of NPDES Storm Water Construction Permit Deadline for Oil and Gas Construction Activity
EPA has proposed to amend the rule on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System storm water permits to postpone until June 12, 2006, the requirement to obtain permit coverage for oil and gas construction activity that disturbs one to five acres of land. This would be the second postponement promulgated by EPA for these activities. EPA…
Pipeline Safety Regulation Workshops – Federal, Texas, and Louisiana
RCP will host a 3 day workshop on the Federal, Texas, and Louisiana pipeline safety regulations on February 22 – 24, 2005. Attendees can register for one, two, or all three days. Topics to be covered include: Day 1: Introduction to Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations This is our highly acclaimed 1-day workshop on the Federal…
RCP and ESS sign Alliance Partnership Agreement for Web-Based Compliance Assurance Services
RCP has entered into an Alliance Partnership with ESS, the leading provider of Environmental, Health & Safety and Crisis Management software. The primary focus of this partnership will be to bring web-based regulatory compliance solutions to the oil and gas industry. RCP will provide implementation, start-up, and ongoing regulatory compliance outsource services through Essential Compliance…