The EPA Region VI has modified the Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) forms for discharges in the Gulf of Mexico. The new forms are dated May 24, 2006. Operators should start using the new forms immediately. For copies of the new forms, contact Jessica Roger
July 2006
MMS Proposed Changes to ROW Pipeline Requirements
RIN 1010-AD18 MMS is proposing to amend its regulations to require lessees, lease operators, and pipeline right-of-way (ROW) holders to submit assessment information on the structural integrity of their OCS platforms each year, and to submit an inspection program to MMS yearly. Also, a damage report would be required if a facility or pipeline was…
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. For more information on how RCP can support your ongoing OQ Program needs.
Minerals Management Service Seeks Comments
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) in the Federal Register on May 22, 2006. MMS is responsible for implementing policies intended to maintain safety and environmental protection for industry operating in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Regulations require submission of various site-specific plans and permit requests for MMS…
FERC Policy Statement on Natural Gas Interchangeability
Docket No. PL04-3-000 The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has seen interest in natural gas quality and interchangeability issues escalate for several years, and these issues have come before the Commission in complaints, proposed tariff provisions and certificate proceedings. Historically, gas quality is one of many terms and conditions of service stated in individual pipelines’ FERC-jurisdictional…
Reporting of Damage to Natural Gas Pipeline Facilities to FERC
Docket No. RM06-18-000 The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is proposing to amend section 260.9 of its regulations in 18 CFR Part 260. Currently, section 260.9 requires that a natural gas company submit a report only when it experiences a serious service interruption involving facilities operated under certificate authority granted by FERC under the Natural…
Gas Integrity Management – 7 year Re-assessment FAQs
This message is to inform you of a modification to PHMSA’s position concerning gas transmission integrity management assessments required every seven years. The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 requires that gas transmission IM programs provide for an assessment of covered segments at least every 7 years. This requirement was incorporated in 49 CFR 192.939.…
Public Awareness Plans
An advisory (ADB-06-02) was issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in the Federal Register (Volume 71, Number 116) on June 16, 2006. This advisory informs pipeline operators how to submit their written public awareness programs for review. PHMSA has elected to use a clearinghouse approach for reviewing interstate and many intrastate…
Updates to Standards “Incorporated by Reference”
On July 18, 2005, PHMSA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to incorporate by reference 39 new and/or reaffirmed editions of standards into the Federal pipeline safety regulations. All but one of the new editions has now been incorporated by reference into the regulations in 49 CFR 192, 193, and 195. In addition, minor…
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.
Texas Pipeline Integrity Management – Proposed Revisions
Gas Utilities Docket No. 9665 The Texas Railroad Commission has proposed minor changes to their pipeline integrity regulations in 16 TAC §8.101 [see TR, Volume 31, Number 22, 06/02/2006, pages 4554-4555]. Under the existing regulations, the Commission has to approve the use of direct assessment or other technology or assessment methodology not specifically listed in…
Final NPDES Exemption for Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Processing, or Treatment Operations or Transmission Facilities
Effective June 12, 2006, EPA has taken final action to codify in the Agency’s regulations changes to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the “Clean Water Act” or “CWA,” resulting from the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This action modifies the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulations to provide that certain storm…
Who is RCP?
Many people know RCP because of our newsletters, training programs, or perhaps because we have done a specific project for their company. But few people understand much about the company itself, and the range of our services. That’s easy to understand, since we’ve grown over 50% each year for the past 5 years. The company…