June 26-27, 2019 Join us June 26-27, 2019 in Houston at our corporate office and dedicated training facility for this new workshop on the fundamentals of pipeline operations. This 2-day course is designed to give a comprehensive overview of gas and liquid energy transmission pipelines and how they are operated and maintained. It is appropriate…
May 2019
Job Opening – Executive Director of the Pipeline Safety Trust
Carl Weimer, the executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust since its inception in 2003, has announced his intention to retire at the end of this year. The board of the PST is actively seeking a replacement, and is accepting resumes until June 12, 2019. Additional information can be found here. On a personal note,…
2019 Summer Industry Conference Schedule
TGA Operations and Management ConferenceJuly 9-12, 2019Embassy Suites | San Marcos, TXRegistration opening soon. SGA Natural Gas ConnectJuly 15-17, 2019J.W. Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa | San Antonio, TX RCP is a proud sponsor and exhibitor of this new conference with a new name. Also known as NGC, this new conference will offer more…
PHMSA Stay of Enforcement for API Specification 5L
PHMSA currently incorporates by reference the 45th edition of API Specification 5L “Specification for Line Pipe” in parts 192 and 195. API Spec 5L is the primary manufacturing specification for seamless and welded steel pipe for use in both gas and hazardous liquid pipeline transportation systems. API recently issued a 46th edition of this standard…
DOT Final Rule on Implementing Drug Testing Program
On April 23, 2019, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) adopted changes to its drug testing regulations to make the different drug testing programs more consistent. For the pipeline industry, the change was to the definition of a prohibited drug in 49 CFR 199.3. The new definition is now “any of the substances specified in…
PHMSA Revision Request for National Pipeline Mapping System Program
[Docket No. PHMSA-2014-0092] PHMSA announced that their information collection request for the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) Program will be forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This request would increase the geospatial data that operators of gas transmission pipelines, hazardous liquid pipelines, and liquefied natural gas facilities submit to NPMS.…
PHMSA ADB-2019-01 Advisory Bulletin Pipeline Damage from River Flooding
[Docket No. PHMSA-2019-0047] PHMSA issued an advisory bulletin to remind all owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines of the potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by severe flooding and actions that operators should consider taking to ensure the integrity of pipelines in the event of flooding, river scour, and river channel…
PHMSA ADB-2019-02 on Potential for Damage to Pipeline Facilities Caused by Earth Movement and Other Geological Hazards
[Docket No. PHMSA-2019-0087] PHMSA issued an advisory bulletin to remind owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines of the potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by earth movement from both landslides and subsidence in variable, steep, and rugged terrain and for varied geological conditions. These conditions can pose a threat to the…
Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee Meeting Notice
[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0136] The GPAC meeting that was previously scheduled for January 8-10, is now meeting on June 25th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET) and on June 26th from 8:30 a.m. to noon (ET). They will meet to discuss the gathering line component of the proposed rule titled ‘‘Safety of Gas Transmission and…
PHMSA Debrief on CAAP Project for Material Strength
May 10, 2019 PHMSA invites you to a debrief of the Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP) project, “Bayesian Network Inference and Information Fusion for Accurate Pipe Strength and Toughness Estimation” on May 10th from 1:00-2:30 PM EDT. Instructions on connecting to the meeting:https://asu.zoom.us/j/419543932 US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 646 876 9923 Meeting ID:…
AGA White Paper for Natural Gas Systems
[Released April 8, 2019] The American Gas Association (AGA) published a white paper, “Skills and Experience for Effectively Designing Natural Gas Systems,” that provides guidance to operators on workforce knowledge, skills and communications. The report details a tiered approach to developing a foundational understanding of natural gas systems, improving knowledge about operator-specific processes and procedures,…
One Call Concepts Withdraws from the State of Texas (Lone Star 811)
After nearly 26 years operating in Texas, One Call Concepts (OCC) has notified the One Call Board of Texas, the Lone Star 811 employees and all other affected parties that they will cease operating Lone Star 811 on July 31, 2019. OCC intends to work with TX811 to ensure a smooth transition. If you have…
ASME Pipeline Geo-Environmental Design and Geohazard Management
[Second Edition, 2019] ASME has released the Second Edition of “Pipeline Geo-Environmental Design and Geohazard Management.” The management of pipeline geohazards is a topic of continuing technical development as the industry plans, designs, constructs and operates pipelines in increasingly rugged terrain. At 800 pages, this Second Edition is a considerable expansion from the 2008 ASME…