[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