In our July 2004 newsletter, we mentioned that OPS is proposing to incorporate API RP 1162 into the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline regulations. Our Vice President of Project Development, Susan Waller, served on the API committee that developed RP 1162. She would like to add the following comments: “There is no doubt that everyone…
November 2004
Petroleum and Transportation Security
Recent advances in technology have proven to increase the efficiency and control of our pipelines. However, because we have these improvements, there is the flip side to the coin. There are more opportunities for individuals to create hazards for the pipelines and the people associated with their operation. These people include employees, the community, contractors,…
TPSSC and THLPSSC Meetings
Meetings of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) will be held on December 14 and 15, 2004, at the Marriott Washington, 1221 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC. Members of the public may attend the meetings, and an opportunity will be provided for the public…
Public Meetings on Pipeline Safety Issues
The Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is sponsoring four free public meetings at the Marriott Washington, 1221 22nd Street, NW on the following pipeline safety topics: Communicating with the Public – Tuesday, December 14 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Enhancing Integrity Management of Gas Distribution Pipelines – Thursday,…
Operator Qualification for ILI
In 2001 it was recognized that the existing Operator Qualification (OQ) Rule did not cover performing an ILI or ILI data analysis as “covered tasks”. Both industry and the regulators agreed that the criticality of ILI qualified personnel for Integrity Management is necessary. ASNT agreed to aid in the development of a standard for “ILI…
EPA Issues Final NPDES General Permit for New and Existing Sources and New Dischargers in the Offshore Subcategory of the Oil and Gas Extraction Category for the Western Portion of the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico
Region 6 of the EPA has issued a final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permit for the western portion of the outer continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico (No. GMG290000). This permit authorizes discharges from new sources, existing sources, and new dischargers in the offshore subcategory of the Oil and Gas Extraction Point…
OPS Issues Draft Stress Corrosion Cracking Study
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a known integrity threat to the safe operation of the nation’s critical pipeline infrastructure. This threat has been studied and examined in the past, but the phenomenon generally is not well understood. As part of its many efforts to foster safe pipeline operations, OPS commissioned a study of SCC issues…
Operator Qualification Rulemaking Update
The long awaited ASME B31Q standard for operator qualification will not be ready before the deadline to comply with the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 requirements. RCP understands that the ASME B31Q committee will meet again in July, 2005. This will likely prompt the OPS to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would…
Standards for Direct Assessment of Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipelines
The DOT has proposed regulations that would require pipeline operators to meet certain standards if they use direct assessment to evaluate the threat of corrosion on regulated onshore gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines. The standards, which are already in effect for gas transmission lines in high-consequence areas, involve processes of data collection, indirect…