[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 218 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30210]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Part 195

[Docket No. PS-121; Notice-5]
RIN 2137-AD05


Pressure Testing Older Hazardous Liquid and Carbon Dioxide 
Pipelines

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

ACTION: Further response to petitions for reconsideration on pressure 
testing within terminals and tank farms.

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SUMMARY: This document announces that, while RSPA continues to review 
requirements for pressure testing older piping within terminals and 
tank farms, it will not enforce those requirements provided the 
terminals and tank farms are designed and operated at lower stress 
levels than the main line. RSPA is evaluating comments received on 
pressure testing within these areas and is considering modifying the 
current requirements. The enforcement policy maintains the status quo 
(that is, no testing required) until a decision is made.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Israni, (202) 366-4571, or e-
mail: [email protected], regarding the subject matter of this 
document, or Jenny Donohue, (202) 366-4046, for copies of this document 
or other information in the docket.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 7, 1994, RSPA issued a final rule requiring certain older 
hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipelines to be pressure tested. 
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and Williams Pipe Line Company 
(Williams) filed petitions for reconsideration of pressure testing 
requirements for older terminal and tank farm piping on the grounds 
that pressure testing would be costly and disruptive in the terminals 
and that such piping is of lower risk since terminals and tank farms 
are generally operated at reduced pressures. To explore this issue 
further, RSPA invited comments in a Federal Register notice published 
February 10, 1998 [63 FR 6677].
    RSPA received five comments, including one from API. Four of five 
commenters expressed that terminal/tank farm piping should be exempt 
from testing requirements because they are designed and operated so 
that stress level can never exceed 20% SMYS, therefore, there is low 
possibility of failure. Commenters also argued that compliance would be 
a difficult task because of many fittings, valves, tanks, and 
instrumentation. Commenters also suggested that the benefit would be 
questionable, but the costs would be substantially higher. API 
suggested that RSPA consider separate rulemaking on testing of 
terminal/tank piping, excluding them from the current rule. One 
commenter suggested that leak detection and a volumetric system should 
be used as a direct substitute for a pressure test.
    API also suggested developing a testing/monitoring protocol for 
evaluating piping within terminals and tank farms that would provide 
equivalent levels of safety for those facilities. Given the great 
variety of conditions that exist in terminals and tank farms and the 
benefits of identifying alternative ways of addressing pipeline risks, 
development of such a protocol has merit. RSPA will work cooperatively 
with API on its protocol. RSPA anticipates using the protocol in our 
evaluation of the pressure testing requirement for terminals and tank 
farm piping.
    Compliance dates for the 1994 rule requiring pressure testing had 
been extended to allow completion of rulemaking to allow a risk-based 
alternative to pressure testing. [62 FR 54591]. That rulemaking, which 
did not address alternatives for terminal and tank farm piping, has 
just been published. [63 FR 59475; November 4, 1998]. Absent some 
agency action, operators of older terminals and tank farms would have 
to complete the pressure testing requirements for piping in their 
terminals prior to RSPA's reconsideration of these requirements. In 
order to preserve the status quo, RSPA will not enforce the pressure 
testing requirements with respect to older piping located in terminals 
or tank farms that are designed and operated so that they do not 
experience stress levels of 20 percent or greater.

    Issued in Washington, DC on November 5, 1998.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 98-30210 Filed 11-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P