RCP is now offering a one-day workshop on how to use MaxOp software. This training session can be scheduled onsite or at RCP’s corporate office in Houston, Texas. MaxOp is the most comprehensive MAOP tool on the market. RCP’s MaxOp tool can link documentation to MAOP algorithm variables, dynamically segment data, run MAOP calculations, identify…
November 2017
Coastal Ecological Unusually Sensitive Areas (USAs) Public Meeting
[DOCKET NO. PHMSA-2017-0094] Section 19 of the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016 (Pub. L. 114-183) requires PHMSA to expand the definition of an Ecological resource USA (as defined in 49 CFR 195.6(b)) to include the Great Lakes, coastal beaches and marine coastal waters. All USAs are treated as high…
Underwater Inspection Procedures & Inspection Interval Risk Model Updates
One of the most active hurricane seasons in recent history is driving the need for operators with assets in the Gulf of Mexico and its inlets subject to 49 CFR 192.612 and 195.413 to re-evaluate their inspection intervals and risk assessments. RCP’s proprietary Underwater Inspection Interval Risk Model analyzes key operator information, National Oceanic and…
IPC 2018 Call for Abstracts
The 12th International Pipeline Conference (IPC 2018) will be held from September 24-28, 2018 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Organized by volunteers representing international energy corporations, energy and pipeline associations and regulatory agencies, the IPC has become internationally renowned as the world’s premier pipeline conference. IPC 2018 is now accepting Abstracts. The deadline for submission is…
RCP Employees Recognized in National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Report
RCP’s Bill Byrd and Jenn Randolph have been recognized by the Transportation Research Board (part of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) for their contributions to an upcoming report, “Safely Transporting Hazardous Liquids and Gases in a Changing U.S. Energy Landscape (Special Report 325)”. This study was initiated and sponsored by the Transportation…
Oklahoma Pipeline Safety Fine Limit Removed
The State of Oklahoma has modified its regulations in Title 165 – Corporation Commission, Chapter 20 – Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety, 165:20-13-1. Scope and Fines, to remove the explicit limit of $500k per violation. The new section reads (underline is modified text): This Subchapter prescribes the procedures utilized by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission…
DOT Regulatory Review Comment Period Reopened
[DOCKET NO. DOT-OST-2017-0069] The US Department of Transportation (DOT) is reopening the comment period for their Notification of Regulatory Review seeking comment from the public on existing rules and other agency actions that are good candidates for repeal, replacement, suspension, or modification. The original comment period ended on November 1, 2017 and the new deadline…
Proposed Revisions to Gas Distribution Annual Report (PHMSA F 7100.1-1)
[DOCKET NO. PHMSA-2017-0110] PHMSA is preparing to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for revisions to the Natural Gas Distribution Annual Report form. The revisions will occur to the instructions and Part A of the annual report form. Please note the following proposed changes: Instructions Concerning Part G – Percent of Unaccounted for…
Underground Gas Storage Compliance
How does RCP deliver a comprehensive solution for natural gas storage operational integrity assurance? Experienced Resources Highly respected underground storage & risk management SME’s (the past Chair of PRCI’s and AGA’s underground storage committees is on our staff) Professional engineering support Written program development / improvement from knowledgeable technical standards developers (Our lead technical writer…
PHMSA’s Underground Gas Storage Facility Safety Site Assessment Report
On October 20, 2017, PHMSA issued the “Underground Gas Storage Facility Safety Site Assessment Report.” The document reviews PHMSA’s assessment of eight underground storage sites throughout the continental US. A team of PHMSA inspectors and underground natural gas storage (UGS) subject matter experts visited these facilities from May to July 2017. These site assessments were…
PHMSA Notice UGS Interim Final Rule
[DOCKET NO. PHMSA–2016–0016; AMDT. NOS. 191–24; 192–122] The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has re-opened the comment period for the Underground Natural Gas Storage Facilities (UGS) Interim Final Rule based upon a petition for reconsideration filed by the American Gas Association, American Petroleum Institute, and the American Public Gas Association. (See related articles…
Pressure Testing Webinar – Advantages of Using TestOp®
RCP will be hosting webinar presentations to discuss pipeline pressure testing practices and demonstrate the advantages of utilizing new technology for planning, designing, and capturing real-time data to validate and document whether it was a successful test. The same technology that RCP has used for the past six years to validate our customer’s pressure tests…