At present, PHMSA’s safety standards do not apply to onshore gathering lines in rural locations, while onshore gathering lines in non-rural locations must meet the same requirements as transmission lines. In addition, PHMSA does not regulate “production facilities” in either rural or non-rural environment, since these facilities are under the jurisdiction of the EPA. The…
October 2005
Damage Prevention Program – Rule Correction
In Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 186 to 199, revised as of October 1, 2004, on page 81, in §192.614 paragraph (c)(5) is corrected by removing the word “possible” and adding in its place the word “practical.” Editor’s comment: The sentence above is the FULL TEXT of the federal register notice,…
NTL No. 2005-G16: Damage Caused by Hurricane Katrina
Note: Supersedes NTL 2005-G14 Editor’s note: This NTL applies to pipeline right-of-way holders on the OCS, which includes DOT regulated pipelines (DOT pipelines have to get a right-of-way agreement from the MMS to install pipelines on the OCS, even though they are under the jurisdiction of the DOT for design, operations, and maintenance purposes). However,…
OCS Plans and Information Final rule; Delay of Effective Date
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is delaying the effective date of the rule amending 30 CFR Parts 250 and 282 published at 70 FR 51478, August 30, 2005 (see our September, 2005 newsletter for more information). This rule regulates plans and information that lessees and operators must submit in connection with oil and gas exploration,…
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. Click Here
FERC Pre-Filing for LNG
Pre-Filing Procedures for Review of LNG Terminals and Other Natural Gas Facilities The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is proposing regulations in accordance with section 311(d) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) to implement mandatory procedures requiring prospective applicants to begin the Commission’s pre-filing review process at least six months prior to…
Reissued TX OCS Discharge Permit
Reissuance of the NPDES General Permit for the Territorial Seas Off Texas The Regional Administrator of EPA Region 6 has issued the final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) “General Permit for the Territorial Seas off Texas” (No. TXG260000) for discharges from existing and new dischargers and New Sources in the Offshore Subcategory of the…
Need to update your Public Awareness Program?
RCP can help develop your updated plan to meet API RP 1162 standards, and provide turnkey implementation, mail-outs, evaluations, and tracking of your program. For more information, call or click here.
EPA Prepares for Publication of SPCC Guidance for Regional Inspectors
EPA is preparing to release its SPCC Guidance for Regional Inspectors. The document is undergoing thorough review, and it will be made publicly available within the next several weeks. Please check back, more information will be posted soon. The document is intended to assist regional inspectors in reviewing a facility’s implementation of the Spill Prevention,…
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. Click Here to request more information.
Katrina Transmission Advisory
Advisory Bulletin (ADB-05-08) – Hurricane Katrina and Transmission Pipelines The Office of Pipeline Safety recently issued the following advisory bulletin. The full bulletin, with introductory language, is available on OPS’s website. To: Owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline systems. Subject: Potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by the passage of Hurricane…
Distribution Facilities and Katrina
Advisory Bulletin (ADB-05-07) – Katrina and Gas Distribution Facilities The Office of Pipeline Safety recently issued the following advisory bulletin for gas distribution pipeline facilities in the path of Hurricane Katrina. The full advisory bulletin, with introductory information, is available on OPS’s website. To: Owners and operators of natural gas distribution pipeline facilities. Subject: Potential…
RCP’s Fantastic 1-Page Version of New SPCC Regulation
The deadline for SPCC Plan revisions is fast approaching, February 17, 2006! RCP has developed a 1-page version (in tiny type) of the new SPCC regulations, to be revised as per the April 17, 2003 rule modification. To receive a complimentary copy along with a CD of valuable SPCC Reference Materials Click Here to request…
MMS Temporary Office
NTL No. 2005-G11: Gulf of Mexico Regional Office Operations after Hurricane The Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico Regional and New Orleans District Offices have resumed most operations under its Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) subsequent to Hurricane Katrina. The COOP team is stationed in Houston, Texas. MMS is committed to conducting operations in…
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, Click Here.
Joint Information Center Established For Oil Spill Response
The US Coast Guard issued the following press release on Sept. 13, 2005: BATON ROUGE, La. – The Coast Guard and its industry partners have established a Joint Information Center to support the response to seven major oil spills in the southern Louisiana area following Hurricane Katrina. The Joint Information Center can be reached starting…
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…