[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 152 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42478-42479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21178]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration


Potential Computer Problems Related to the Year 2000 (Y2K)

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of advisory bulletin.

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    RSPA is issuing an advisory bulletin to owners and operators of 
Hazardous Liquid and Natural Gas Pipelines. The bulletin advises the 
industry about the potential for Year 2000 (Y2K) computer-related 
problems.

ADDRESSES: This document can be viewed on the Office of Pipeline Safety 
(OPS) home page at: http://ops.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Little, (202) 366-4569.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Office of Pipeline Safety regulations do not require operators to 
automate their safety-related functions; however, many pipeline 
operators rely on computers for these needs. Some computer systems may 
fail in the Year 2000 because the programs, hardware, and data files 
may misread the digits ``00'' as 1900 rather than 2000.
    Until recently, the computer industry was not focused on the change 
in the millennium and the two extra digits required to show the change 
to the year 2000. The date fields for most computer programs were 
designed with six digits: two each for the year, month, and day; ``19'' 
was implied. In the Year 2000, some computers will record the year 
``00'' and will interpret it as the year ``1900.'' Some hardware may 
also contain components that do not recognize the new millennium. These 
date calculations may be embedded in controllers that operate pipeline 
equipment. There is the possibility that a Year 2000 (Y2K) problem 
could cause this equipment to malfunction. In most cases, operators 
must evaluate their system-by-system operations to determine if there 
is a Y2K problem in their hardware or software. Most pipeline operators 
are aware of the potential for Y2K computer-related problems and have 
already taken steps to address the issue.

II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-98-01 )

    To: Owners and Operators of Hazardous Liquid and Natural Gas 
Pipelines
    Subject: Potential Failure of Computer Systems Controlling Pipeline 
Operations.
    Purpose: Inform system owners and operators of the need to evaluate 
their computer hardware and software for potential problems relating to 
Year 2000 (Y2K).
    Advisory: Recent information has identified a computer problem that 
may affect pipeline operations. Computers may interpret the date 
``2000'' as 1900, which could result in the shutdown or interruption of 
any computer operated system. The Office of Pipeline Safety urges all 
pipeline owners and operators who have not already done so to address 
this issue because of the risk that it may interfere with their 
operations.
    The Office Of Pipeline Safety is working with the Oil and Gas 
Sector Workgroup of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion to 
help assess Y2K readiness among the oil and gas industries and offer 
assistance by coordinating outreach activities, identifying points of 
contact within trade associations, and developing a forum for sharing 
information. Pipeline operators who have not implemented a plan for 
assessing their Y2K readiness should do so as soon as possible.
    Pipeline industry trade associations can offer assistance on this 
issue. The American Petroleum Institute (API), the Natural Gas Council 
(NGC), and the Gas Industry Standards Board (GISB) have agreed to serve 
as umbrella organizations for the oil and gas sector; they will 
coordinate Y2K information for the industry and workgroup use. The 
President's Council on Y2K has a web page at http://www.y2k.gov that 
provides an update on the Council's activities and other useful 
information.
    The industry is encouraged to seek advice from and share 
information and practical solutions with the three umbrella 
organizations and the industry trade association representatives on the 
Oil and Gas Y2K Workgroup (listed below). Contact Roger Little with the 
Office of Pipeline Safety at (202)-366-4569 or your state pipeline 
safety organization if you have questions regarding this advisory.

Umbrella Organizations

American Petroleum Institute, Kendra Martin, Phone: (202) 682-8517, 
Fax: (202) 962-4730, E-mail: [email protected].
Natural Gas Council, Skip Horvath, Phone: (202) 216-5920, Fax: (202)

[[Page 42479]]

216-0874, E-mail: [email protected]
Gas Industry Standards Board, Rae McQuade, Phone: (713) 757-4175, Fax: 
(713) 757-2491, E-mail: [email protected].

Industry Trade Associations

Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, Terry Boss, (202) 216-
5930
American Gas Association, Gary Gardner, (703) 841-8515
American Public Gas Association, Bob Cave, (703) 352-3890
Gas Processors Association, Johnny Dreyer, 918-493-7047
Association of Oil Pipe Lines, Michele Joy, Phone: (202) 408-7970
American Petroleum Institute, Kendra Martin, Phone: (202) 682-8517

State Pipeline Safety Organizations

National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (Call Roger 
Little at (202) 366-4569 if you need the number of your state pipeline 
safety representative)
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Sally 
Allbright, (202) 898-2200

    Issued in Washington, D.C., on August 3, 1998.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 98-21178 Filed 8-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P