The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has made some minor changes to the Gas Integrity Management inspection protocols, based on the 2005 inspection experience. Some protocols were combined, resulting in the deletion and renumbering of several protocols. Others were edited for corrections or clarification. M.02.a was edited to clarify that it applies when…
February 2006
Will your SPCC Plan pass an EPA inspection based on the new SPCC Inspectors’ Guidance document?
RCP can conduct a gap analysis of your current SPCC Plan and provide updates and recommendations based on the new SPCC Guidance for Regional Inspectors that was published Dec. 2, 2005. The new guidance document includes more detail than is in many of the plans in use today. RCP can review and update your plan…
Excavation Monitoring and Observation
API RP 1166 Excavation damage is a major cause of pipeline incidents and personal injuries. The American Petroleum Institute has recently released the first edition of Publication 1166, Excavation Monitoring and Observation, designed to protect the public, excavation employees, and the environment by preventing damage to pipelines from excavation activities, and to provide a consistently…
RCP’s Fantastic 1-Page Version of SPCC Regulation
The Feb. 17, 2006, deadline for SPCC Plan revisions is fast approaching. (Although the deadline may be extended, the extension is not yet final). RCP has developed a 1-page version (in tiny type) of the SPCC regulations that includes the guidance document for inspectors that was issued Dec. 2, 2005. To receive a complimentary copy…
PHMSA Web Site Initiative
(from OPS’s website) PHMSA is currently conducting a “Web Presence Needs Assessment” as part of an overall effort to improve the PHMSA websites and access to electronic information and services by PHMSA stakeholders and customers and the public. The new “One PHMSA” web presence will serve PHMSA’s stakeholders, customers, and the American public while enabling…
New Chief of PHMSA?
President Bush nominated Thomas J. Barrett, of Alaska, to be Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration at the Department of Transportation. Vice Admiral Barrett currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. Prior to this, he served the United States Coast Guard for more…
Need to Update Your Current Operator Qualification Program?
We have the expertise to update your current operator qualification program to satisfy the upcoming regulation change and inspection protocols.
Gas Gathering Line – Definition, TPSSC Meeting
On Jan. 19, 2006, the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) voted in favor of the proposed rule to use consensus standards to distinguish onshore gathering lines, to establish safety standards for certain higher-risk onshore gathering lines, and to change current standards on low-risk onshore gathering lines. At present, PHMSA’s safety standards do not apply…
RCP Services Spotlight – RCP Auditing, Due Diligence and Expert Witness Services
RCP’s approach to audits and assessments is typically either consultative or enforcement oriented depending upon the client’s needs. The consultative approach is typically viewed by clients as a cooperative effort that assesses regulatory compliance status in concert with operational and maintenance issues. This method provides feedback on existing management practices versus industry standards. The consultative…
Liquid Pipeline Integrity Data on the Web
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is testing a web site to allow users to view hazardous liquid integrity management performance measures data. The site will be updated annually after annual reports are submitted. PHMSA also plans to post analogous data for the natural gas transmission liquid industry. These data for both industries are…
Need to make sure your Public Awareness Program meets API RP 1162 standards?
RCP can conduct a gap analysis of your current program that includes a self assessment of your Public Awareness Programs. This final product will help you to meet API RP 1162 standards. We can provide turnkey implementation, mail-outs, evaluations, and tracking of your program.
OPS Clarification of Public Awareness Requirements
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration posted Public Awareness Program frequently asked questions on the PHMSA Stakeholder Communications web site, http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/PublicEducation.htm. Several questions have been raised about question 4: When must an operator complete the initial distribution of RP 1162-compliant communications to stakeholders? According to PHMSA, the answer depends on the RP 1162 frequency…
Safe Excavation and Backfilling Advisory
Advisory Bulletin (ADB-06-01) The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration recently issued this advisory bulletin to both gas and liquid operators. The preamble to the advisory gives a summary of several excavation-related accidents in the past few years that all involved some failure to follow established safe excavation practices. The complete advisory is available on…
O&M Manual Up-To-Date?
RCP has the tools and expertise to develop comprehensive procedures that you need to protect your people, facilities, and environment.
Hurricane Response Conference Set For March
API has scheduled an Industry Hurricane Preparedness and Response Conference for March 1-2 at the Marriott Intercontinental Airport Hotel in Houston to consider the overall impact of the 2005 hurricanes, learn best practices, share lessons learned, and discuss issues associated with infrastructure performance. For additional information, contact: Susan Sherwood, Meeting and Conference Services, 202-682-8187 or…
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.
Hurricane Impacts in the Gulf of Mexico
The US Minerals Management Service (MMS) has just released its analysis of the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. The report details: the destruction of 115 oil platforms and the damage of 52 others; the damage of 183 pipelines, 64 of those major pipelines larger…
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.
Hurricane Impacts in the Gulf of Mexico
The US Minerals Management Service (MMS) has just released its analysis of the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. The report details: – the destruction of 115 oil platforms and the damage of 52 others;– the damage of 183 pipelines, 64 of those major pipelines…
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.