Effective October 1, 2002, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) is revising their guidance (aka Notice to Lessees, or NTL) concerning Oil Spill Response Plans (OSRPs) for the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The new NTL is number 2002-G09. This NTL provides clarification, guidance, and information to operators of facilities and leases located seaward of the coastline…
September 2002
Gas HCA Determinations / Class Location Surveys
On August 6, 2002, RSPA published the final rule for Gas Pipeline High Consequence Areas. The upcoming Gas Pipeline Integrity Management rule will use this definition of high consequence areas to determine what pipelines are required to prepare integrity management plans. This raises a few questions for Gas Pipeline Operators. Is your Class Location Survey…
Small Liquid Pipeline Integrity Management Deadlines
Just a reminder for those Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Operators with less than 500 miles of pipelines. The initial compliance deadline for identifying segments that could effect HCA’s is only about 10 weeks away (November 18, 2002). The deadline to have the final written plan in place is February 18, 2003. OPS has given a lot…
OPS issues Comprehensive Integrity Management Inspection Protocals on August 30, 2002.
These long awaited protocals cover more than 170 pages and include extensive lists of specific points and questions inspectors will be checking when auditing your Pipeline Integrity Management Plan. Details are the name of the game for these protocols. For example – Have the risk analysis results and information been documented and incorporated appropriately in…
Revised SPCC Requirements and RCP SPCC Workshops
On July 17th, the EPA published final rule revisions for all SPCC and Facility Response Plans. The final rule: Expands the scope of the rule to conform with the expanded jurisdiction in the amended Clean Water Act Includes new subparts for various classes of oil Revises applicability of the regulation Amends several requirements for completing…
Revised SPCC Requirements and RCP SPCC Workshops
On July 17th, the EPA published final rule revisions for all SPCC and Facility Response Plans. The final rule: Expands the scope of the rule to conform with the expanded jurisdiction in the amended Clean Water Act Includes new subparts for various classes of oil Revises applicability of the regulation Amends several requirements for completing…
Texas GLO Spill Planning Revisions
The Texas General Land Office announces that proposed regulation changes have been published in the Texas Register August 23, 2002 edition. The effected regulations include 31 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 19 concerning facility certification, facility response plan requirements and definitions pertaining to coastal facilities. The proposed changes are expected to significantly lessen facility regulatory requirements…
Reports of Abandoned Underwater Pipelines
Underwater pipelines are being abandoned at an increasing rate as older facilities reach the end of their useful life. This trend is expected to continue. RSPA’s/OPS’s regulations for abandonment reporting can be found at Title 49 cfr 192.727 and 195.402. RSPA requests public participation in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval process regarding…