[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 145 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43939-43941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15022]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration


Integrity Management Notifications for Gas Transmission Lines

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

ACTION: Notice of advisory bulletin.

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SUMMARY: Current regulations require operators to notify OPS and state 
pipeline safety agencies of certain events related to integrity 
management programs for gas transmission lines. This bulletin provides 
guidance on notifying OPS and state agencies and describes OPS' review 
of notifications. OPS expects this bulletin to improve the efficiency 
of the notification and review process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zach Barrett by phone at (405) 954-
5559 or by e-mail at [email protected], regarding the subject 
matter of this guidance. General information about the PHMSA/OPS 
programs may be obtained by accessing OPS's Home page at http://OPS.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPS' safety regulations for managing the 
integrity of gas transmission lines (49 CFR part 192, subpart O) 
require operators to notify OPS and certain state pipeline safety 
agencies whenever the operators significantly change their integrity 
management programs (49 CFR 192.909(b)). Notifications are also 
required before operators can use technology other than in-line 
inspection, pressure testing, or direct assessment to assess pipeline 
integrity (49 CFR 192.921(a) (4) and 192.937(c) (4)). Notifications are 
required when operators cannot meet the schedule required for 
remediation of anomalous conditions and safety is not otherwise 
provided (49 CFR 192.933(c)).
    OPS and state agencies review the notifications to assure 
compliance of the underlying actions with applicable integrity 
management requirements in Subpart O of Part 192. The following 
Advisory Bulletin provides additional details regarding this 
notification and review process.

Advisory Bulletin (ADB-05-04)

    To: Operators of gas transmission lines.
    Subject: Notifications required by the integrity management 
regulations in 49 CFR part 192, subpart O.
    Purpose: To provide guidance on notifying OPS and state agencies 
and information about OPS's review of the notifications.

Advisory

Introduction
    The integrity management regulations for gas transmission lines (49 
CFR part 192, subpart O) require that operators notify OPS of each of 
the following events:
    1. When operators make changes to their integrity management 
programs that may substantially affect the program's implementation or 
may significantly modify the program or schedule for carrying out the 
program elements (49 CFR 192.909(b)).
    2. When operators plan to use technology other than in-line 
inspection, pressure testing, or direct assessment to perform 
assessments of pipeline integrity (49 CFR 192.921(a)(4) and 
192.937(c)(4)).
    3. When operators cannot meet the schedule required by the rule for 
remediating any identified condition and cannot provide safety through 
a temporary reduction in operating pressure or other action (49 CFR 
192.933(c)).
    In addition, operators must send notifications of these events to 
each state or local pipeline safety agency that either regulates the 
safety of the transmission line involved or inspects the line under an 
interstate agent agreement with OPS. Operators may notify OPS by mail, 
facsimile, or the on-line database (49 CFR 192.949). Notification of 
state agencies should be done according to state agency procedures.
    The following sections of this advisory bulletin provide guidance 
on notifying OPS and state agencies and explain OPS's review of 
notifications. The bulletin gives special attention to notifications 
concerning ``other technology''--particularly guided wave ultrasound--
and scheduling problems. OPS developed the bulletin based on its 
experience with Subpart O notifications.
Notifying OPS
    As provided by Sec.  192.949, operators may notify OPS by mail, 
facsimile, or via the Web at http://primis.rspa.dot.gov/gasimp/. The 
Web option is OPS's preferred method of receiving notifications because 
it enables operators to enter information directly into the Integrity 
Management Database (IMDB). (Note that as a result of the recent 
creation of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
within DOT, a new Web address, http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp, was 
established. The old address will continue to work for some time, and 
OPS plans to revise Sec.  192.949 to include the new address.)
    OPS uses the IMDB to coordinate its review of notifications among 
its regional offices and with state pipeline safety agencies. OPS 
transfers notifications submitted via other means to the IMDB, with the 
attendant possibility for error.
    Operators desiring to notify OPS via the Web should go to the 
specified Web address and select ``Notifications'' from the topic links 
in the left-hand frame. This will open a page with instructions for 
submitting notifications and for downloading a Microsoft Word template 
for use in stating each notification. Operators can download the 
template from the link within the section of this Web page entitled 
``How to: Download and Use the Notification Template.'' (Some users may 
have to scroll down the page to see this section). As described further 
in the downloading instructions, an operator can use the template on a 
local computer system to create a Word document that includes the 
notification and a table for entering pipeline data. Although OPS does 
not require operators to submit this data with the notification, OPS 
believes it would facilitate its review of the

[[Page 43940]]

notification. OPS may request the data if it has additional questions 
after its initial review of the notification. The document can be 
printed, circulated for review, and used to obtain any approval/
concurrences the operator requires.
    Once the Word document is ready for submission, an operator should 
return to the Web site and again select ``Notifications.'' On the 
notifications page within both the instructions for submitting 
notifications and the instructions for downloading the template, 
operators will find a link to an ``upload/submission form.'' Operators 
should click on that link to open the Notification Submittal Form. This 
is a simple form, requiring only a few pieces of identifying 
information:
     First, the operator must select from one of the three 
``types'' of notifications: substantive program change, other 
technology, and remediation/repair.
     Next, the operator enters identifying information 
including the operator name and ID number and the name, job title, e-
mail address, and telephone number of the person making the submission.
     The operator must then click ``Browse'' in the ``Upload 
File Attachment'' section of the ``File Attachment and Additional 
Comments'' portion of the form. This will open a file selection window 
like those used by all Microsoft programs to locate and open files. The 
operator will navigate to the file in its local computer file system 
and click ``Open'' to attach it to the submission form.
     Finally, the operator can enter any additional comments in 
the field provided, although comments are not required to be included.
    When the form is complete, including the file attachment, the 
operator clicks ``Save'' to upload the form and its attached file into 
the IMDB.
    Operators can also e-mail completed Word documents to 
[email protected], as described in the instructions. Operator e-
mails should include the name of the operator, its OPID number, and the 
name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address of an operator 
contact for each notification.
    Operators who use the other two methods of submitting 
notifications--mail and facsimile--should clearly identify the 
notification as ``Subpart O Integrity Management Notification.'' 
Operators should also include the name of a contact person, including 
the contact's e-mail address. (OPS will use this address to communicate 
the status of a notification's review).
Notifying State Agencies
    State pipeline safety agencies have a significant role in assuring 
compliance of gas transmission lines with the Subpart O integrity 
management regulations and in reviewing Subpart O notifications. 
Agencies that regulate the safety of intrastate lines have primary 
responsibility for reviewing notifications concerning transmission 
lines they oversee. Agencies that inspect interstate lines under 
agreements with OPS send comments on notifications concerning these 
lines to OPS, which has primary responsibility for reviewing the 
notifications.
    Thus, when a state agency is involved in the review, it is 
important that operators send notifications directly to that state 
agency as Subpart O requires. However, experience to date shows that 
operators often overlook the requirement to send notifications to state 
agencies. Simply notifying OPS does not satisfy the requirement to 
notify appropriate state agencies.
    For each notification OPS receives, it is also important for OPS to 
know if a state agency has a role in overseeing the line involved in 
the notification. If a notification sent to OPS does not indicate the 
state in which the line is located and whether the line is interstate 
or intrastate, OPS will have to ascertain this information and may 
contact the operator for assistance.
Review of Notifications by OPS
    OPS does not treat integrity management notifications as petitions 
for approval of the underlying actions. Subpart O regulations do not 
require such approval. Rather, OPS uses the notifications to determine 
if further review is needed to verify that the actions described in the 
notifications are consistent with safety and the Subpart O regulations.
    The form of review depends on whether the transmission line 
involved is under direct state or OPS safety oversight. For intrastate 
transmission lines regulated directly by a state pipeline safety 
agency, the state agency conducts the review under its own procedures. 
OPS enters notifications related to these intrastate lines into the 
IMDB database, except notifications entered directly by operators. OPS 
enters the results of state reviews in the same manner as described 
below for OPS reviews.
    OPS reviews notifications related to all other regulated 
transmission lines, i.e., interstate lines and those intrastate lines 
not regulated directly by a state pipeline safety agency. OPS enters 
the notifications into the IMDB database, except those entered by 
operators themselves. After OPS begins its review, the status of the 
notification in the database changes from ``submitted'' to ``under 
review.'' If the e-mail address of an operator's contact is in the 
notification entered in the database, the contact will receive an 
automatic e-mail message of this change in status.
    On the basis of information an operator includes in a notification 
and OPS's familiarity with the action described in the notification, 
OPS decides whether further inspection of the matter is necessary. If 
further review is necessary, OPS enters in the database that it has 
``objections'' to the action. Then OPS begins a further review of the 
matter by sending a letter to the operator that states the objections 
and allows the operator an opportunity to respond to the objections. 
OPS then changes the status of the notification in the IMDB database to 
``objections noted.'' If, based on the operator's response, OPS decides 
that further review of the matter is not necessary, OPS enters in the 
database that it has ``no objections'' to the action, but does not send 
a letter to the operator. If the e-mail address of an operator contact 
is in the database, the contact will receive an automatic e-mail 
message of each change in status.
    The gas integrity management Web page, http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp/, describes this review process in more detail. A process 
description, including a flow chart, can be found in the ``Key 
Documents'' section of that page. There is also a link to the Key 
Documents page in the ``Notifications'' section.
    Notifications Concerning Use of ``Other Technology'': In order to 
expedite any potential review, notifications concerning use of ``other 
technology'' should include the following information:
    1. The operator's demonstration that the ``other technology'' can 
provide an equivalent understanding of the condition of the line pipe, 
as required by 49 CFR 192.921(a)(4) and 192.937(c)(4). The 
demonstration should explain the following:
     Where and how the technology will be used
     What procedures will be followed
     What criteria will apply to data analysis and evaluation, 
including verification excavations and acceptance and rejection of 
anomalies
    2. Procedures for ensuring that qualified personnel will implement 
the technology, as required by 49 CFR 192.915 and subpart N of part 
192.
    Various operators have submitted notifications of their plans to 
use guided wave ultrasound as ``other technology''

[[Page 43941]]

for assessing the integrity of transmission line segments in casings. 
Guided wave ultrasound can be used to assess pipe for some distance on 
either side of a bell hole in which inspection equipment is located, 
making the technology suitable for assessing pipe within a casing. The 
technology is capable of detecting metal loss and of providing 
indications of dents, although sizing of dents is very difficult. OPS 
has experience in reviewing notifications on the use of this technology 
on hazardous liquid pipelines and, when satisfied with the information 
presented, has closed these notifications under the classification ``no 
objections'' noted. OPS understands that the technology's performance 
in specific applications is critically dependent on the inspection 
equipment and procedures used and the training and qualification of 
those involved in its use.
    If further review is necessary for notifications concerning use of 
guided wave ultrasound technology, as part of the equivalency 
demonstration under 49 CFR 192.921(a)(4) or 192.937(c)(4), OPS may ask 
operators to show use of the technology with inspection equipment set 
up in a typical condition of intended use. This information is 
especially important for applications that do not involve using the 
technology on both sides of a casing.
    Guided wave ultrasound is capable of taking readings in both 
directions from its placement on a section of line pipe, as shown by 
the illustration below. To validate the technology's application, 
operators should investigate all indications of potential threats to 
pipeline integrity in the opposite direction of the casing 
(supplemental region) and should excavate at least once in each 
supplemental region if no indications of concern are identified. 
Indications of welds are one of many potential readings operators 
should use to verify the accuracy of the device. Operators must 
demonstrate that all applications are effective for the type 
conditions, equipment, procedures, and performance measures for 
detecting the severity of the anomaly.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN29JY05.006

    Scheduling Problems. If further review of a notification concerning 
failure to meet a remediation schedule and otherwise provide for public 
safety is needed, OPS may ask the operator to explain why remediation 
by means other than pipe replacement or lowering the pressure is not 
feasible.
Additional Information
    Additional questions concerning notifications or any aspect of 
compliance with Subpart O requirements can be sent via the ``Question 
or Comment'' link on the public Web site (http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp/). OPS staff involved in integrity management oversight will 
respond. OPS also encourages operators to review the Frequently Asked 
Questions (FAQ) on the Web site, which provide the answers to many 
common questions.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2005.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 05-15022 Filed 7-28-05; 8:45 am]
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