[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12147-12148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6012]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Part 192

[Docket No. RSPA-98-4868, Notice 1]
RIN 2137-AB15


Gas Gathering Line Definition

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

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces an electronic public discussion forum 
and subsequent written comment period on defining gas gathering lines 
for the purposes of pipeline safety regulation. In 1991, we proposed a 
definition of gas gathering. A change to the pipeline safety laws in 
1992 requires us to revisit that proposal and to consider whether and 
to what extent we should regulate gathering lines in rural areas. This 
opportunity for public input will allow us to decide whether and how to 
modify the regulations. The comments may also inform the process when 
we consider development of a separate proposal on regulating gas 
gathering lines in rural areas.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 28, 1999. The 
electronic public discussion forum will commence on April 13, 1999, at 
9:00 a.m. EST and end on May 5, 1999, at 4:30 p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: The Internet address for the electronic discussion forum is 
http://ops.dot.gov/forum. Address written comments to the Dockets 
Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Comments should identify 
the Docket No. RSPA-98-4868. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of 
receipt of their comments should include a self-addressed, stamped 
postcard. Comments may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected].
    The Dockets Management System is located on the Plaza Level of the 
Department of Transportation's Nassif Building at 400 Seventh Street, 
SW, Washington, DC. Public dockets may be reviewed in person between 
the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. In addition, the public may also review comments by 
accessing the Docket Management System's home page at http://
dms.dot.gov. An electronic copy of any document may be downloaded from 
the Government Printing Office Electronic Bulletin Board Service at 
(202) 512-1661.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L.E. Herrick, (202) 366-5523, Research 
and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The electronic public discussion forum will 
be held at the conferences and public meetings section of the Office of 
Pipeline Safety's Internet home page. The forum will allow near real-
time electronic discussion of the rulemaking. We hope it will increase 
the breadth of participation in the commenting process. A transcript of 
the electronic discussion forum will be placed in the docket.
    Issues for discussion: Segments of gathering lines in rural areas 
are excluded from the Federal pipeline safety regulations in 49 CFR 
Part 192. In these regulations the term ``gathering line'' is defined 
with reference to a ``transmission line'' or ``main'', a type of 
distribution line. The term ``transmission line'' is then defined with 
reference to a gathering line, and ``distribution line'' is defined 
with reference to a gathering or transmission line. Therefore under 
current regulations:

    ``Distribution line'' means a pipeline other than a gathering or 
transmission line. ``Gathering line'' means a pipeline that 
transports gas from a current production facility to a transmission 
line or main.
    ``Transmission line'' means a pipeline, other than a gathering 
line, that transports gas from a gathering line or storage facility 
to a distribution center or storage facility; operates at a hoop 
stress of 20 percent or more of SMYS; or transports gas within a 
storage field.

    These definitions have long been unsatisfactory. As a result of 
this cross-referencing, the point where a gathering line ends and 
transmission or distribution begins is often subject to varying 
interpretation.
    On September 25, 1991, we proposed a revised definition in a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM):

    ``Gathering line'' means, except as provided in paragraph (4), 
any pipeline or part of a connected series of pipelines used to 
transport gas from a well or the first production facility where gas 
is separated from produced hydrocarbons, whichever is farther 
downstream, to an applicable end point described in paragraphs (1), 
(2), or (3) below:
    (1) The inlet of the first natural gas processing plant used to 
remove liquefied petroleum gases or other natural gas liquids.
    (2) If there is no natural gas processing plant, the point where 
custody of the gas is transferred to others who transport it by 
pipeline to:
    (i) A distribution center;
    (ii) A gas storage facility; or
    (iii) an industrial consumer.
    (3) If there is no natural gas processing plant or point where 
custody of the gas is so transferred, the last point downstream 
where gas produced in the same production field or two adjacent 
production fields is commingled.
    (4) A gathering line does not include any part of a pipeline 
that transports gas downstream--
    (i) From the end points in (1), (2), or (3) in this Section;
    (ii) From a production facility, if no end point exists; or
    (iii) In any interstate transmission facility subject to the 
jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under the 
Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717 et seq.).

Legislative Changes

    There has been a legislative change in underlying Federal pipeline 
safety laws since the NPRM was published on September 25, 1991. The 
Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-508) enacted on October 24, 
1992, provided that, in defining ``gathering line'' we should

[[Page 12148]]

consider the functional and operational characteristics of the line. We 
are neither required to follow classifications established by FERC 
under the Natural Gas Act of 1938 nor prevented from using them if we 
choose. In addition, we are to prescribe standards defining the term 
``regulated gathering line'' which may result in some regulation of 
rural gathering lines. In determining the specific physical 
characteristics which warrant regulation, we will consider factors 
which include location, length of line from the well site, operating 
pressure, throughput, and the composition of the transported gas.

Industry Recommendation

    On September 28, 1998 we met with representatives of the Gas 
Processors Association (GPA) a trade organization representing much of 
the gas gathering industry. GPA suggested basing a definition of 
gathering on pipeline function. GPA suggested the following:

    ``Gathering line'' means any pipeline or part of a connected 
series of pipelines used to transport gas from a production source--
gas wells; gas well separators; oil well separators; flow lines; 
and, dehydrators. The terminating end is either a single pipeline or 
a network of pipelines that collects gas from production 
facilities--and delivers the gas to facilities downstream from the 
end of the gathering line. The end of gathering shall be the most 
downstream location of the following:
    (1) The inlet of a gas processing plant (notes: a gathering line 
could split and feed two separate gas plants (in-parallel) a 
gathering line would end at the first gas plant if the second plant 
is downstream of the first. (In-series))
    (2) Excluding well head compressors (usually low horsepower) the 
outlet of the first compressor station located downstream of a 
production facility-or-the outlet of the first onshore compressor 
station downstream of an offshore gathering line.
    (3) The outlet of the furthermost downstream: dehydration 
equipment; treating equipment; scrubber station; that makes the gas 
of suitable quality for residential consumption .
    (4) The inlet to a storage facility; a FERC designated 
transmission line; or other line transporting gas of suitable 
quality for residential consumption.

    If a gas plant exists, it is downstream of (2, 3, & 4). If (1, 2, 
3) do not exist then the end of gathering is in effect a transmission 
line or a storage facility. If a gas plant exists, it is downstream of 
(2, 3, and 4). If (1, 2, 3) do not exist then the end of gathering is 
in effect a transmission line or a storage facility.
    The GPA also suggested defining ``gathering return line''.

    Gathering return line: means a line that returns treated gas to 
a production facility--or a field compressor--for: gas lift gas 
injection fuel for production equipment. Non-rural gathering return 
lines are not exempt from the requirements of 49 CFR 192. Rural 
gathering returns lines are exempt from the requirements of 49 CFR 
192. These lines usually operate with maximum operating pressure 
less than 20% of the specified minimum yield strength do not service 
the general public.

    The GPA proposed definition differs from the definition we 
presented in our 1991 NPRM in the focus on the function of the lines 
without reference to the custody or ownership of the product in the 
line.

Request for Participation

    We are trying to change the fundamental relationship between the 
regulator and the operating companies in protecting the public and the 
environment. The purpose of this public discussion forum is to help 
create an environment in which the regulated industry, state agencies 
and other interested parties are encouraged to evaluate the issues and 
to find the best, safest, most cost effective solutions to any safety 
and environmental challenges raised by gas gathering.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on March 5, 1999.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety, Research and Special 
Programs Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-6012 Filed 3-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P