[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14575-14576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2829]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2006-23448; Notice 1]


Pipeline Safety: Request for Waiver; Maritimes & Northeast 
Pipeline, L.L.C.

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); 
DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to consider waiver request.

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SUMMARY: Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (M&N) requests a waiver 
of compliance for the U.S. portion of its pipeline system in Class 1, 
2, and 3 locations to operate at stress levels up to 80 percent; 67 
percent; and 56 percent respectively, of the pipeline's specified 
minimum yield strength (SMYS).

DATES: Persons interested in submitting comments on the waiver request 
described in this Notice must do so by April 21, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-2006-23448 and 
may be submitted in the following ways:
     DOT Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. To submit comments on 
the DOT electronic docket site, click ``Comment/Submissions,'' click 
``Continue,'' fill in the requested information, click ``Continue,'' 
enter your comment, then click ``Submit.''
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Management System; Room PL-401 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
     E-Gov Web Site: http://www.Regulations.gov. This site 
allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice 
issued by any agency.
    Instructions: You should identify the docket number, PHMSA-2006-
23448, at the beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments 
by mail, you should submit two copies. If you wish to receive 
confirmation that PHMSA received your comments, you should include a 
self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit comments at 
http://www.regulations.gov, and may access all comments received by DOT 
at http://dms.dot.gov by performing a simple search for the docket 
number.

    Note: All comments will be posted without changes or edits to 
http://dms.dot.gov including any personal information provided.

    Privacy Act Statement: Anyone may search the electronic form of all 
comments received for any of our dockets. You may review DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Reynolds by telephone at 202-
366-2786; by fax at 202-366-4566; by mail at DOT, Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Pipeline Safety 
Program (PHP), 400 7th Street, SW., Room 2103, Washington, DC 20590; or 
by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. requests a waiver of 
compliance for the U.S. portion of its pipeline system in Class 1, 2, 
and 3 locations to operate at stress levels up to 80 percent; 67 
percent; and 56 percent respectively, of the pipeline's SMYS. 
Specifically, M&N requests a waiver of compliance from the following 
regulatory requirements:
     49 CFR 192.111--Design factor (F) for steel pipe;
     49 CFR 192.201--Required capacity of pressure relieving 
and limiting stations;
     49 CFR 192.503--General Requirements;
     49 CFR 192.611--Change in class location: Confirmation or 
revision of maximum allowable operating pressure; and
     49 CFR 192.619--Maximum allowable operating pressure: 
Steel or plastic pipelines.
    The proposed waiver would apply to approximately 203 miles of M&N's 
24-inch diameter pipeline. This portion of pipeline extends from M&N's 
Baileyville, Maine compressor station near the U.S./Canada border to 
Westbrook, Maine; and includes two compressor stations. The current 
maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of the mainline system is 
1440 pounds per square inch gauge (psig).
    M&N placed its pipeline in service on December 1, 1999. The 
pipeline is operated by M&N Operating Company, LLC--a wholly owned 
subsidiary of Duke Energy Gas Transmission. The pipeline is 24-inch 
diameter, Grade X-70 pipe with varying wall thicknesses. One hundred 
percent of the pipeline's girth welds were inspected using radiography, 
and the pipeline--including girth welds--are coated with fusion bonded 
epoxy. M&N tested the Class 1 and 2 pipelines to 125 percent MAOP; the 
Class 3 pipeline was tested to 150 percent MAOP. In addition, M&N 
performed an in-line inspection of its pipeline in 2002 and no 
anomalies were detected.

Pipeline System Analysis

    M&N conducted evaluations of the U.S. portion of its pipeline to 
confirm whether the system could safely and reliably operate at 
increased stress levels. As part of its evaluation, M&N analyzed and 
compared the threats imposed on a pipeline operating at 72 percent SMYS 
to those imposed on a pipeline operating at 80 percent SMYS; including: 
(1) External corrosion; (2) internal corrosion; (3) stress corrosion 
cracking; (4) pipe manufacturing; (5) construction; (6) equipment; (7) 
immediate failure due to puncture; (8) delayed failure due to resident 
defects or damage; (9) incorrect operation; and (10) weather/outside 
factors. M&N asserts that any impact(s) that potentially threaten the 
integrity of its pipeline, as a consequence of the line operating at 
higher stress levels, have been addressed.

[[Page 14576]]

    M&N requests a waiver of compliance from the regulatory 
requirements at 49 CFR 192.111. This regulation prescribes the design 
factor to be used in the design formula in Sec.  192.105. The design 
factors are found in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Design factor
                     Class location                             (F)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................................            0.72
2.......................................................            0.60
3.......................................................            0.50
4.......................................................            0.40
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    M&N is proposing to use a design factor for its existing pipeline 
of 80 percent SMYS for Class 1; 67 percent SMYS for Class 2; and 56 
percent SMYS for Class 3. M&N notes that if the waiver is granted, it 
intends to operate its pipeline in the future with a design factor of 
80 percent SMYS for Class 1; 60 percent SMYS for Class 2; and 50 
percent SMYS for Class 3.
    M&N also requests a waiver from Sec.  192.201(a)(2)(i) which states 
if the MAOP is 60 psig or more, the pressure may not exceed MAOP plus 
10 percent, or the pressure that produces a hoop stress of 75 percent 
SMYS, which ever is lower. M&N proposes to set the over pressure 
protection for the waiver sections to 104 percent of the pipeline MAOP. 
This setting is based on the ratio of 75 percent to 72 percent of SMYS.
    M&N additionally requests a waiver from the requirements of Sec.  
192.503(c) which limits the maximum hoop stress allowed to 80 percent 
of the pipeline's SYMS if air, natural gas, or inert gas is used as the 
test medium. M&N desires to test its compressor station piping to 82 
percent SMYS.
    Section 192.611 requires an operator to confirm or revise the MAOP 
of its pipeline if the hoop stress corresponding to the established 
MAOP is not commensurate with the present class location. M&N notes 
that any class location changes that occur subsequent to this proposed 
waiver will be filed under separate waiver requests.
    PHMSA will consider M&N's waiver request and whether its proposal 
will yield an equivalent or greater degree of safety than that 
currently provided by the regulations. After considering any comments 
received, PHMSA may grant M&N's waiver request as proposed, with 
modifications and conditions, or deny M&N's request. If the waiver is 
granted and PHMSA subsequently determines the effect of the waiver is 
inconsistent with pipeline safety, PHMSA may revoke the waiver at its 
sole discretion.

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

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2006.
Joy Kadnar,
Director of Engineering and Emergency Support.
[FR Doc. 06-2829 Filed 3-21-06; 8:45 am]
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