[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 92 (Friday, May 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21521-21522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11775]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD 96-019]


Waterfront Facilities; Marine Transportation Related Pipeline 
Testing

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is conducting a study to evaluate several 
alternative methods, in addition to those presently approved, for 
testing marine transfer pipelines on facilities capable of transferring 
oil or hazardous material, in bulk, to or from a vessel with a capacity 
of 250 barrels or more. These methods may provide suitable alternatives 
for facility operators while maintaining an equivalent level of safety.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 9, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commandant (G-MCO-3), Port and 
Facilities Compliance Branch, 2100 Second Street, SW, Washington, DC 
20593-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant (junior grade) David Deaver, Port and Facilities Compliance 
Branch, Commandant (G-MCO-3), room 1104, (202) 267-0502, between 7 a.m. 
and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast Guard is responsible for ensuring 
compliance for marine transportation related (MTR) facilities, 
including requirements for transfer pipeline systems. The scope of this 
study concerns possible testing alternatives for the transfer pipeline 
system from the dock loading arm or manifold of the Coast Guard 
inspected MTR facility up to the first valve encountered after the pipe 
enters the Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) area or 
the first valve encountered after the pipe enters the secondary 
containment

[[Page 21522]]

around the bulk storage tank for facilities not protected by SPCC 
plans.
    Present regulations require that transfer pipelines be 
hydrostatically tested at 1.5 times the maximum allowable working 
pressure (MAWP) on an annual basis. In August of 1994, the Coast Guard 
also established guidelines for conducting pneumatic pressure testing 
as an alternative method. In addition, the Coast Guard has become aware 
of other, non-destructive testing methods, including acoustic and 
ultrasonic methods through several alternative requests submitted by 
industry and discussions with the Office of Pipeline Safety.
    The Coast Guard is evaluating these other testing options to assess 
their suitability as alternative pipeline testing methods for facility 
operators while maintaining an equivalent level of safety. To 
accomplish this, Coast Guard is seeking comments on the following 
issues pertaining to the use of alternative methods for ensuring 
pipeline safety: (1) Whether using methods other than pressure testing 
would provide the same or greater level of confidence for ensuring that 
a pipeline meets safety standards; (2) Whether companies would apply to 
use other programs, to include using methods such as ultrasonic and 
acoustic testing, as alternatives to pressure testing; and, (3) Whether 
use of alternative testing methods would be physically practical and 
less costly than current requirements. In addition to these, the Coast 
Guard encourages the submission of comments regarding any other aspects 
of its pipeline inspection policy.

    Dated: May 6, 1996.
J.C. Card,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Marine Safety And Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 96-11775 Filed 5-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M