[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27227]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration

 

Pipeline Safety Advisory Bulletin ADB-94-05; Pipelines Affected 
by Flooding

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Advisory to each owner or operator of a hazardous liquid or 
natural gas transmission pipeline operating in areas that may be 
subject to severe flooding.

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SUMMARY: This advisory is for all operators of pipelines which may be 
affected by flooding. It provides observations from RSPA, Texas 
Railroad Commission (TRC), and other federal and state agencies as a 
result of the recent floods near Houston. This advisory also includes 
actions that operators should consider taking to assure the integrity 
of pipelines in case of flooding.

Background

    As the result of unprecedented flooding of rivers and streams in 
the Houston area, seven natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines 
failed in or near the San Jacinto River over the three day period 
October 19-21, 1994. These failures included: an Exxon 8-inch diameter 
LPG line; an Exxon 8-inch diameter fuel line; an Exxon 20-inch diameter 
hazardous liquid line; a Colonial 40-inch diameter products (gasoline) 
line; a Colonial 36-inch diameter products (heating oil) line; a Texaco 
20-inch diameter crude oil line; and a Valero 12-inch diameter natural 
gas line. While no determination of cause of failure has been made for 
any of these lines, RSPA and the TRC believe that the extreme flooding 
by the San Jacinto River was probably a substantial contributing factor 
in each of the failures.
    The damage to pipelines caused by the flood may have resulted 
either from the extreme force of the flowing water, as the San Jacinto 
carved new temporary channels, or from pipelines being struck by heavy 
debris that was reported as having flowed down river at the height of 
the flooding. Because RSPA and the TRC cannot at this time determine 
the exact effects of the flooding, operators should consider the 
potential effects of flooding as posing a possible threat to the 
integrity of their lines.

Advisory

    As the result of seven natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline 
flood-related failures in or near the San Jacinto River in Texas on 
October 19-21, 1994, operators should consider the actions recommended 
in this Advisory Bulletin for application to pipelines located in any 
area of the United States subject to widespread flooding.
    RSPA pipeline safety regulations in 49 CFR 192.613 for natural gas 
pipelines, and 49 CFR 195.401 for hazardous liquid pipelines, require 
an operator to maintain continuing surveillance of its facilities and 
to correct damage to its pipeline that could affect the safe operation 
of the pipeline (such as damage that may result from extreme flood 
conditions). If the operator of a natural gas pipeline determines that 
the pipeline is in unsatisfactory condition and no immediate hazard 
exists, the operator must recondition or phase out the segment 
involved, or reduce the maximum allowable operating pressure. For 
hazardous liquid pipelines, if the condition presents an immediate 
hazard to persons or property, the operator may not operate the 
affected part of the system until the unsafe condition is corrected. In 
summary, if the operator has reason to believe that flooding has 
adversely affected, or will adversely affect, its pipeline, the 
operator must take corrective or preventative action.
    In addition, operators must consider the application of RSPA's 
reporting requirements in 49 CFR Part 191, and subpart B of 49 CFR Part 
195, as well as applicable state requirements, that require operators 
to submit telephonic and written reports when natural gas or hazardous 
liquids are released causing damages meeting the reporting thresholds. 
Finally, RSPA regulations also require operators to submit reports of 
safety-related conditions involving potentially unsafe conditions on 
natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines (49 CFR 191.23 and 191.25, 
and 49 CFR 195.55 and 195.56).
    Operators need to direct their resources in a manner that will 
enable them to determine the potential effects of the flooding on their 
systems, and take the following actions as appropriate:
     Deploy personnel so that they will be in position to take 
emergency actions, such as shut down, isolation, or containment.
     Extend regulator vents and relief stacks above the level 
of anticipated flooding, as appropriate.
     Evaluate the accessibility of pipeline facilities that may 
be in jeopardy, such as valve settings, needed to isolate water 
crossings or other sections of a pipeline.
     Perform frequent patrols, including overflights as 
appropriate, to evaluate right-of-way conditions at water crossings 
during flooding and after waters subside. Determine if flooding has 
exposed or undermined pipelines as a result of new river channels cut 
by the flooding or by erosion or scouring.
     Coordinate with emergency and spill responders on pipeline 
location and condition, and provide maps and other relevant information 
to them.
     Coordinate with other pipeline operators in the flood area 
and establish emergency response centers to act as liaison for pipeline 
problems and solutions.
     Determine if facilities which are normally above ground 
(e.g., valves, regulators, relief sets, etc.) have become submerged and 
are in danger of being struck by vessels or debris; if possible, such 
facilities may be marked with an appropriate buoy with Coast Guard 
approval.
     Perform surveys to determine the depth of cover over 
pipelines and the condition of any exposed pipelines, such as those 
crossing scour holes. Where appropriate, surveys of underwater pipe 
should include the use of visual inspection by divers or instrumented 
detection. Information gathered by these surveys should be shared with 
landowners. Agricultural agencies may help to inform farmers of the 
potential hazard from reduced cover over pipelines.
     Assure that line markers are still in place or are 
replaced in a timely manner, and notify contractors, highway 
departments, and others involved in post-flood restoration activities 
of the presence of pipelines and the risks posed by reduced cover.
    If a pipeline operator has suffered damage to its line, or has shut 
in the line, or has operated at a reduced pressure as a precautionary 
measure during the flood, the operator should advise the State Pipeline 
Safety Office (for intrastate lines), or RSPA's Regional Pipeline 
Safety Office (interstate lines) prior to returning the line to 
service, on increasing the operating pressure, or otherwise changing 
the operating status of the line. The State Safety Division or the RSPA 
Regional Pipeline Safety Office, as appropriate, will advise on a case-
by-case basis whether, and under what conditions, a line can safely be 
returned to full service.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on October 28, 1994.
George W. Tenley, Jr.,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 94-27227; Filed 11-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P