[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 134 (Thursday, July 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40780-40781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13864]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. {PHMSA-05-21314; Notice 1]


Pipeline Safety: Petition for Waiver; BOC Gases

AGENCY: Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice; petition for waiver.

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SUMMARY: BOC Gases (BOC) petitioned the PHMSA's Office of Pipeline 
Safety (OPS) for a waiver from the pipeline safety standards at 49 CFR 
195.306(c)(5) to allow the use of inert gas or carbon dioxide as the 
test medium for pressure testing an existing carbon dioxide pipeline.

DATES: Persons interested in submitting written comments on the waiver 
request described in this Notice must do so by August 15, 2005. Late 
filed comments will be considered so far as practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by mailing or delivering an 
original and two copies to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20590-0001. The Dockets Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except on Federal holidays when the facility is closed. 
Alternatively, you may submit written comments to the docket 
electronically at the following Web address: http://dms.dot.gov.

[[Page 40781]]

    All written comments should identify the docket and notice numbers 
stated in the heading of this notice. Anyone who wants confirmation of 
mailed comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard. To file 
written comments electronically, after logging on to http://dms.dot.gov, click on ``Comment/Submissions.'' You can also read 
comments and other material in the docket. General information about 
the Federal pipeline safety program is available at http://ops.dot.gov.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Reynolds by phone at 202-366-
2786, by fax at 202-366-4566, by mail at DOT, PHMSA Office of Pipeline 
Safety, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The gas pipeline safety regulation at 49 CFR 
195.306(c)(5) allows an operator of a carbon dioxide pipeline to use 
inert gas or carbon dioxide as the test medium if the pipe involved is 
new pipe having a longitudinal joint factor of 1.00.
    BOC Gases (BOC) is requesting the waiver to use carbon dioxide as 
the test medium in its carbon dioxide pipeline system. The BOC Carbon 
Dioxide Pipeline System is approximately 14 miles northwest of Green 
River, Wyoming and located in Sweetwater County; this is a remote, 
uninhabited area that does not lie within any city or other populated 
limits. The pipeline is 7 miles in length, constructed of 3.5-inch 
diameter, API 5L, Grade B Seamless pipe, and has a wall thickness of 
0.300-inches.
    BOC calculated the pipe's internal design pressure to be 4,320 
pounds per square inch gauge (psig) using the formula in Sec.  195.106 
and pressure tested the pipe after construction; the minimum pressure 
was 3,575 psig and the pipe was tested for 2 hours. The pipeline is 
effectively coated and has had a sacrificial anode cathodic protection 
system since its construction.
    In justification for this waiver request, BOC is proposing the 
following testing procedure:
     BOC would use liquid carbon dioxide to pressure test the 
entire 7 mile pipeline;
     The pipeline test pressure would be maintained at a 
minimum pressure of 3,575 psig or 60% of the pipeline's specified 
minimum yield strength (SMYS) for at least 4 hours;
     The pipeline would be tested for an additional 4 hours at 
a minimum pressure of 3,146 psig or 48% of SMYS;
     Throughout the duration of the test, BOC personnel would 
be stationed along the pipeline to observe any conditions that might 
indicate leakage;
     BOC personnel would be in constant communication with its 
personnel who will supervise and conduct the pressure test; and
     During the pressure test, whenever the test pressure 
exceeds 50% SMYS, BOC's building facilities would be unoccupied and its 
personnel will be stationed along the pipeline where it parallels the 
state highway.
    BOC believes that granting a waiver for this pipeline does not pose 
a risk to the public or the environment because this pipeline is in a 
remote location, in excellent condition, and will be tested and 
operated at a low percentage of SMYS.
    OPS will consider any comments received in response to this Notice, 
and make a final determination to grant or deny the waiver as proposed, 
or with modifications. If the waiver is granted, and OPS subsequently 
determines that the effect of the waiver is no longer consistent with 
pipeline safety, OPS may revoke the waiver at its sole discretion.
    This Notice is OPS's only request for public comment before making 
its final decision in this matter.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60118(c) and 49 CFR 1.53.

    Issued in Washington, DC on July 7, 2005.
Joy Kadnar,
Director of Engineering and Emergency Support.
[FR Doc. 05-13864 Filed 7-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P