[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 21 (Thursday, February 1, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4655-4657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1652]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 192 and 195

[Docket No. PHMSA-05-21253; Amdt. Nos. 192-103 and 195-86]
RIN 2137-AD68


Pipeline Safety: Update of Regulatory References to Technical 
Standards

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA is amending a final rule published in the Federal 
Register on June 9, 2006, which updated the pipeline safety regulations 
to incorporate by reference all or parts of new editions of voluntary 
consensus technical standards to enable pipeline operators to utilize 
current technology, materials, and practices.

DATES: The final rule takes effect on March 5, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard D. Huriaux, Director, 
Technical Standards at (202) 366-4565, by fax at (202) 366-4566, or by 
e-mail at [email protected]. Copies of this document or other 
material in the docket can be reviewed by accessing the Docket 
Management System's home page at http://dms.dot.gov.
    General information on the pipeline safety program is available at 
PHMSA's Web site at http://phmsa.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 9, 2006, PHMSA published a final rule in the Federal 
Register entitled ``Pipeline Safety: Update of Regulatory References to 
Technical Standards'' (71 FR 33402). Amendment Nos. 192-103, 193-19, 
and 195-86 updated references to pipeline-related technical standards 
and made a number of editorial corrections. We subsequently identified 
several omissions and editorial corrections in parts 192 and 195. In 
this correction notice we make the following corrections and edits:
     Three editorial corrections are necessary in Sec.  192.1. 
The spelling of the word ``apply'' is corrected in the introductory 
text of paragraph (b), the comma is replaced by a ``;'' at the end of 
paragraph (b)(2), and the comma is replaced by ``; or'' at the end of 
paragraph (b)(4)(iii). We are restating these entire paragraphs for 
clarity.
     In Part 192, the restatement of the table of standards 
incorporated by reference inadvertently deleted API Recommended 
Practice 80 (API RP 80), ``Guidelines for the Definition of Onshore Gas 
Gathering Lines'' (1st edition, April 2000). We are restating the list 
of API standards at Sec.  192.7(c)(2) to properly include API RP 80.
     Paragraph 192.227(a) incorrectly references ``Appendix 
A.'' We are correcting this to refer to ``Sec.  192.7'' and restating 
the entire paragraph for clarity.
     Paragraphs 192.727(g)(2) and 195.59(a) are updated to 
correctly reference the NPMS homepage at http://www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov. 
We are restating these entire paragraphs for clarity.

[[Page 4656]]

     Paragraphs 192.727(g)(1) and 195.59(b) are removed because 
the April 10, 2001, deadline to report pipeline facilities abandoned 
before October 10, 2000, has expired.
     Paragraphs 192.727(g)(1), 192.949, 192.951, and 195.59(a) 
are updated to reference the correct room number for the filing of 
reports, ``Room 2103.'' We are restating these entire paragraphs for 
clarity.
     The current version of the gas pipeline safety regulations 
inadvertently omitted some text in the definition of High consequence 
area in paragraph Sec.  192.903. This is corrected herein by adding 
back paragraphs (3) and (4) following paragraph (2)(ii) and updating 
the agency name.
     In Sec.  192.949 paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) are 
corrected to read (a), (b), and (c) and the section heading is revised.
     In Sec.  192.951 paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) are 
corrected to read (a), (b), and (c).

Need for Correction

    As published, the final regulations contain errors which may prove 
to be misleading and need to be clarified.

List of Subjects

49 CFR Part 192

    Incorporation by reference, Natural gas, Pipeline safety.

49 CFR Part 195

    Anhydrous ammonia, Carbon dioxide, Incorporation by reference, 
Petroleum, Pipeline safety.

0
In consideration of the foregoing, PHMSA amends 49 CFR parts 192 and 
195 to read as follows:

PART 192--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 192 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60102, 60104, 60108, 60109, 60110, 
60113, and 60118; and 49 CFR 1.53.


0
2. Paragraphs (b) introductory text, (b)(2), and (b)(4)(iii) of Sec.  
192.1 are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  192.1  What is the scope of this part?

* * * * *
    (b) This part does not apply to--
    (2) Pipelines on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) that are 
producer-operated and cross into State waters without first connecting 
to a transporting operator's facility on the OCS, upstream (generally 
seaward) of the last valve on the last production facility on the OCS. 
Safety equipment protecting PHMSA-regulated pipeline segments is not 
excluded. Producing operators for those pipeline segments upstream of 
the last valve of the last production facility on the OCS may petition 
the Administrator, or designee, for approval to operate under PHMSA 
regulations governing pipeline design, construction, operation, and 
maintenance under 49 CFR 190.9;
    (4) * * *
    (iii) Within inlets of the Gulf of Mexico, except for the 
requirements in Sec.  192.612; or
* * * * *

0
3. Paragraph (c)(2), entry B. of Sec.  192.7 is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  192.7  What documents are incorporated by reference partly or 
wholly in this part?

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) Documents incorporated by reference.

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Source and name of referenced material          49 CFR reference
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                              * * * * * * *
B. American Petroleum Institute (API):
    (1) API Specification 5L                Sec.  Sec.   192.55(e);
     ``Specification for Line Pipe,''        192.113; Item I of Appendix
     (43rd edition and errata, 2004).        B.
    (2) API Recommended Practice 5L1        Sec.   192.65(a).
     ``Recommended Practice for Railroad
     Transportation of Line Pipe,'' (6th
     edition, 2002).
    (3) API Specification 6D ``Pipeline     Sec.   192.145(a).
     Valves,'' (22nd edition, January
     2002).
    (4) API Recommended Practice 80,        Sec.   192.8(a);
     ``Guidelines for the Definition of      192.8(a)(1); 192.8(a)(2);
     Onshore Gas Gathering Lines,'' (1st     192.8(a)(3); 192.8(a)(4).
     edition, April 2000).
    (5) API 1104 ``Welding of Pipelines     Sec.  Sec.   192.227(a);
     and Related Facilities,'' (19th         192.229(c)(1); 192.241(c);
     edition, 1999, including Errata         Item II, Appendix B.
     October 31, 2001).
    (6) API Recommended Practice 1162       Sec.  Sec.   192.616(a);
     ``Public Awareness Programs for         192.616(b); 192.616(c).
     Pipeline Operators,'' (1st edition,
     December 2003).
 
                              * * * * * * *
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0
4. Paragraph (a) of Sec.  192.227 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  192.227  Qualification of welders.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each 
welder must be qualified in accordance with section 6 of API 1104 
(incorporated by reference, see Sec.  192.7) or section IX of the ASME 
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  
192.7). However, a welder qualified under an earlier edition than 
listed in Sec.  192.7 of this part may weld but may not requalify under 
that earlier edition.
* * * * *

0
5. Paragraph (g)(1) of Sec.  192.727 is revised and paragraph (g)(2) is 
removed to read as follows:


Sec.  192.727  Abandonment or deactivation of facilities.

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) The preferred method to submit data on pipeline facilities 
abandoned after October 10, 2000 is to the National Pipeline Mapping 
System (NPMS) in accordance with the NPMS ``Standards for Pipeline and 
Liquefied Natural Gas Operator Submissions.'' To obtain a copy of the 
NPMS Standards, please refer to the NPMS homepage at http://www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov or contact the NPMS National Repository at 703-
317-3073. A digital data format is preferred, but hard copy submissions 
are acceptable if they comply with the NPMS Standards. In addition to 
the NPMS-required attributes, operators must submit the date of 
abandonment, diameter, method of abandonment, and certification that, 
to the best of the operator's knowledge, all of the reasonably 
available information requested was provided and, to the best of the 
operator's knowledge, the abandonment was completed in accordance with 
applicable laws. Refer to the NPMS Standards for details in preparing 
your data for submission. The NPMS Standards also include details of 
how to submit data. Alternatively,

[[Page 4657]]

operators may submit reports by mail, fax or e-mail to the Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Room 2103, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20590; fax (202) 366-4566; e-mail, [email protected]. The 
information in the report must contain all reasonably available 
information related to the facility, including information in the 
possession of a third party. The report must contain the location, 
size, date, method of abandonment, and a certification that the 
facility has been abandoned in accordance with all applicable laws.
    (2) [Reserved].

0
6. Section 192.903 is amended by adding paragraphs (3) and (4) of 
``High consequence area'' to read as follows:


Sec.  192.903  What definitions apply to this subpart?

* * * * *
    High consequence area means an area established by one of the 
methods described in paragraphs (1) or (2) as follows:
* * * * *
    (3) Where a potential impact circle is calculated under either 
method (1) or (2) to establish a high consequence area, the length of 
the high consequence area extends axially along the length of the 
pipeline from the outermost edge of the first potential impact circle 
that contains either an identified site or 20 or more buildings 
intended for human occupancy to the outermost edge of the last 
contiguous potential impact circle that contains either an identified 
site or 20 or more buildings intended for human occupancy. (See Figure 
E.I.A. in Appendix E.)
    (4) If in identifying a high consequence area under paragraph 
(1)(iii) of this definition or paragraph (2)(i) of this definition, the 
radius of the potential impact circle is greater than 660 feet (200 
meters), the operator may identify a high consequence area based on a 
prorated number of buildings intended for human occupancy with a 
distance of 660 feet (200 meters) from the centerline of the pipeline 
until December 17, 2006. If an operator chooses this approach, the 
operator must prorate the number of buildings intended for human 
occupancy based on the ratio of an area with a radius of 660 feet (200 
meters) to the area of the potential impact circle (i.e., the prorated 
number of buildings intended for human occupancy is equal to 20 x (660 
feet) [or 200 meters]/potential impact radius in feet [or meters] 
2).
* * * * *

0
7. Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of Sec.  192.949 are redesignated to 
read as (a), (b), (c) and the section heading is revised:


Sec.  192.949  How does an operator notify PHMSA?

* * * * *
    (a) Sending the notification to the Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Room 2103, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590;
    (b) Sending the notification by fax to (202) 366-4566; or
    (c) Entering the information directly on the Integrity Management 
Database (IMDB) Web site at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp/.

0
8. Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of Sec.  192.951 are redesignated to 
read as (a), (b), and (c):


Sec.  192.951  Where does an operator file a report?

* * * * *
    (a) By mail to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room 2103, 400 
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590;
    (b) Via fax to (202) 366-4566; or
    (c) Through the online reporting system provided by PHMSA for 
electronic reporting available at the PHMSA Home Page at http://phmsa.dot.gov.

PART 195--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 195 continues to read as follows:

     Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60102, 60104, 60108, 60109, 60118; 
and 49 CFR 1.53.


0
2. Paragraph (a) and the section heading of Sec.  195.59 is revised and 
paragraph (b) is removed, to read as follows:


Sec.  195.59  Abandonment or deactivation of facilities.

* * * * *
    (a) The preferred method to submit data on pipeline facilities 
abandoned after October 10, 2000 is to the National Pipeline Mapping 
System (NPMS) in accordance with the NPMS ``Standards for Pipeline and 
Liquefied Natural Gas Operator Submissions.'' To obtain a copy of the 
NPMS Standards, please refer to the NPMS homepage at http://www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov or contact the NPMS National Repository at 703-
317-3073. A digital data format is preferred, but hard copy submissions 
are acceptable if they comply with the NPMS Standards. In addition to 
the NPMS-required attributes, operators must submit the date of 
abandonment, diameter, method of abandonment, and certification that, 
to the best of the operator's knowledge, all of the reasonably 
available information requested was provided and, to the best of the 
operator's knowledge, the abandonment was completed in accordance with 
applicable laws. Refer to the NPMS Standards for details in preparing 
your data for submission. The NPMS Standards also include details of 
how to submit data. Alternatively, operators may submit reports by 
mail, fax or e-mail to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room 2103, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; fax (202) 366-4566; e-mail, 
[email protected]. The information in the report must contain all 
reasonably available information related to the facility, including 
information in the possession of a third party. The report must contain 
the location, size, date, method of abandonment, and a certification 
that the facility has been abandoned in accordance with all applicable 
laws.
    (b) [Reserved].

    Issued in Washington, DC on January 24, 2007.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Acting Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. E7-1652 Filed 1-31-07; 8:45 am]
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