[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 17, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39012-39017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13772]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 192 and 195

[Docket No. PHMSA-04-18938; Amdt. Nos. 192-104, 195-87]
RIN 2137-AE07


Pipeline Safety: Integrity Management Program Modifications and 
Clarifications

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action modifies the integrity management regulations for 
hazardous liquid and natural gas transmission pipelines. The 
modifications include adding an eight-month window to the period for 
reassessing hazardous liquid pipelines; modifying notification 
requirements for operators of hazardous liquid and natural gas 
pipelines; repealing a requirement for gas operators to notify local 
authorities; and allowing alternatives in calculating pressure 
reduction when making an immediate repair on a hazardous liquid 
pipeline. This action is intended to improve pipeline safety by 
clarifying the integrity management regulations and providing operators 
with increased flexibility in implementing their integrity management 
(IM) programs.

DATES: This rule is effective August 16, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Israni by phone at (202) 366-4571 
or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

    PHMSA is the Federal regulatory agency responsible for promoting 
the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of over two 
million miles of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines in the 
United States. PHMSA has broad authority under 49 U.S.C. 60102 to issue 
regulations establishing standards for pipeline facility design, 
installation, inspection, emergency planning and response, testing, 
construction, extension, operation, replacement, and maintenance. By 
law, PHMSA pipeline safety standards must be both practicable and 
designed to meet the need for environmental safety and protection, 
taking account of specified criteria (49 U.S.C. 60102(b)(1-2)). Our 
rulemaking actions are reviewed by one or both of two statutorily-
mandated advisory committees--the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards 
Committee, and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards 
Committee--which provide peer review of all proposed pipeline safety 
rules to assure technical feasibility, reasonableness, cost-
effectiveness, and practicability.
Integrity Management Program
    Since 2000, PHMSA has issued IM requirements for pipeline 
operators. PHMSA's pipeline IM regulations require operators of 
hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines to assess, evaluate, 
repair, and validate through comprehensive analyses the integrity of 
pipeline segments in areas where a leak or failure would do the most 
damage. These areas are referred to as ``High Consequence Areas'' and 
include populated, unusually sensitive environmental areas, and other 
areas defined by the IM regulations.
    On December 1, 2000, PHMSA issued IM program regulations at 49 CFR 
195.452 for operators with more than 500 miles of hazardous liquid 
pipeline (65 FR 75378). On January 14, 2002, PHMSA issued IM program 
repair criteria (67 FR 1650). On January 16, 2002, the IM program 
regulations were extended to operators with less than 500 miles of 
hazardous liquid pipeline (67 FR 2136). On December 15, 2003, PHMSA 
issued IM program regulations for gas transmission pipelines at 49 CFR 
Part 192, Subpart O (68 FR 69778).
Petition for Rulemaking
    The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Association of Oil 
Pipelines (AOPL) represent members who operate more than 85 percent of 
the U.S hazardous liquid infrastructure. On June 18, 2004, API and AOPL 
jointly submitted a petition for rulemaking seeking changes to the 
hazardous liquid pipeline IM regulations.
    API and AOPL requested the rule changes to benefit pipeline safety 
and provide operators additional flexibility in the following three 
areas: Adding flexibility to reassessment intervals; adding flexibility 
to scheduling repairs, and providing for notification to PHMSA when an 
operator is unable to make a repair because of permitting or other 
problems.
    An important concept in IM is that an operator's program is to 
evolve into a more detailed and comprehensive program as the operator 
gains information about its pipeline system. An operator is required to 
continually improve its IM program. Similarly, as

[[Page 39013]]

PHMSA gains experience in enforcing the IM regulations, we see ways 
that the regulations can be clarified and improved. Based on our 
experience and the operators' experience with IM, PHMSA considers how 
the IM regulations can be improved to benefit public safety and provide 
operators the flexibility they need in carrying out effective IM 
programs.
    PHMSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 
15, 2005 (70 FR 74265), proposing to revise its pipeline IM regulations 
to address the API and AOPL petition to improve the IM regulations and 
to get additional information about reasons for repair delays. In the 
NPRM, PHMSA proposed four revisions. First, we proposed to allow more 
flexibility in the integrity reassessment intervals for hazardous 
liquid pipelines by adding an eight-month window to the five-year time 
frame for operators to complete reassessments. Second, we proposed to 
require hazardous liquid pipeline and gas transmission pipeline 
operators to notify us of repair-related reductions in operating 
pressure. The proposal would require operators to notify us whenever 
they reduce pipeline pressure to make a repair, to provide reasons for 
any pressure reduction, and to provide further notice and explanation 
when a pressure reduction exceeds 365 days. Third, we proposed to 
repeal as unnecessary an existing regulation requiring gas operators to 
provide notice of pressure reductions to local authorities. Lastly, 
PHMSA proposed to amend an existing provision for calculating a 
pressure reduction when making an immediate repair on a hazardous 
liquid pipeline. The proposal would allow use of an alternative method 
to calculate reduced operating pressure when the prescribed formula is 
not applicable or results in a calculated pressure higher than the 
operating pressure.

II. Disposition of NPRM Comments

    PHMSA received comments from 12 parties: API and AOPL; the American 
Gas Association; Texas Pipeline Association; Kinder Morgan Energy 
Partners, L.P.; Southwest Gas Corporation; Paiute Pipeline Company; 
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.; Duke Energy Gas Transmission 
Corporation; Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.; Panhandle Energy; Puget 
Sound Energy; and Enbridge Energy Company, Inc.--Liquids Transportation 
Segment.

(1) Flexibility in Reassessment Intervals

    Current regulations require hazardous liquid pipeline operators to 
set up intervals not to exceed five years for continually assessing 
pipeline integrity (Sec.  195.452(j)(3)). The NPRM proposed adding an 
eight-month window to the five-year time frame for operators to 
complete reassessments.
    Comment: No commenter opposed this proposal. Commenters supported 
the proposed revision, stating they would benefit from flexibility to 
allow for unforeseeable events that could affect intervals. Commenters 
asserted added flexibility would not materially affect pipeline safety. 
They noted that adding the proposed window to the prescribed 
reassessment interval would comport with similar latitude provided in 
other periodic intervals under the pipeline safety regulations (e.g., 
for patrolling). One commenter suggested PHMSA develop an approach for 
extending reassessment intervals based on sound engineering, technical 
studies, and IM principles. Commenters also recognized operators may 
establish shorter reassessment intervals as a result of risk 
prioritization.
    A commenter also requested that PHMSA extend similar flexibility to 
gas transmission pipeline operators, maintaining that the current 
reassessment time frames on gas transmission pipelines do not have a 
technical basis. The commenter offered RSTRENG, a means of predicting 
the effects of metal loss on the remaining strength of the corroded 
pipe, and other industry-accepted methods as alternatives that could be 
useful in setting reassessment time frames on gas transmission 
pipelines.
    PHMSA Response: Adding an eight-month window to the hazardous 
liquid pipeline five-year reassessment interval in Sec.  195.452(j)(3) 
gives operators flexibility in scheduling and completing reassessments 
without compromising pipeline safety. Operators must allow time in 
their schedules for unforeseen problems or contingencies that could 
delay assessments. In practice, operators must thus schedule their 
assessments on intervals of less than five years in order to assure 
compliance with a five-year regulatory requirement. This was never 
PHMSA's intent. This final rule maintains a nominal five-year interval 
while recognizing that unexpected contingencies can arise. This change 
is consistent with other pipeline safety regulations specifying 
compliance intervals.
    PHMSA agrees that reassessment intervals should be adjusted over 
time based on engineering, technical studies, and integrity management 
principles. At this point, we do not have sufficient scientific and 
technical data to support modifying the five-year interval in 
regulation.
    Nevertheless, section Sec.  195.452(j)(4) of the IM regulations 
allows hazardous liquid operators to seek a variance from the five-year 
interval for particular pipeline facilities based on engineering data 
or if needed technology is not available. In these instances, operators 
notify PHMSA and provide scientific and technical justifications and 
alternate intervals for variation requests. PHMSA (and States where 
pipelines are under State jurisdiction) reviews the documentation to 
ensure sufficient justification has been provided for the proposed 
interval. This approach has been adequate to cover situations in which 
longer intervals are needed.
    Both PHMSA and the U.S. General Accountability Office have 
testified that assessment intervals for natural gas transmission 
pipelines should be established based on technical data, risk factors, 
and engineering analyses. However, making those changes to the gas IM 
regulations in this action is outside the scope of the NPRM.

(2) Scheduling Repairs

    In the NPRM, PHMSA requested submission of data and comments on 
operators' experience with identification of defect characteristics 
needing short-term (60 and 180-day) remediation. The NPRM allowed a 
longer period to submit these analyses, and API and AOPL responded to 
this request by submitting engineering analysis produced by Kiefner and 
Associates, Inc. on April 13, 2006. This analysis required detailed 
technical review.
    PHMSA contracted with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to review the 
API/AOPL analysis. The Oak Ridge review documented which of the 
proposed changes in the API analysis could lead to improvements in 
safety and which could lead to reduced safety. It attempted neither to 
evaluate the significance to safety of each proposed change, nor to 
describe the composite impact on safety of the group of proposed 
changes. The Oak Ridge review did identify the technical factors that a 
comprehensive evaluation of the proposed changes should consider. PHMSA 
is currently evaluating operator treatment of many of these factors in 
ongoing IMP inspections.
    DOT's Inspector General issued an audit in September 2006 
addressing, among other issues, uncertainties in the characterization 
of defects using in-line inspection (ILI). Although uncertainties,

[[Page 39014]]

both modest under-sizing and over-sizing of defects, in ILI readings 
are a fact of life, improvements in technology are continuing to reduce 
these uncertainties. ILI vendors and pipeline operators must account 
for potential inaccuracies in tool indications in their evaluation of 
ILI results. PHMSA inspections are evaluating approaches being used by 
operators to assure prudent decisions are made in the light of these 
uncertainties. The PHMSA inspection approach has been evaluated by the 
IG, and the issue closed satisfactorily. PHMSA is collecting additional 
data to better characterize the extent to which ILI has 
mischaracterized actual pipeline defects. PHMSA's ongoing inspection 
process is providing the necessary assurance that operators are 
addressing in a responsible way the impact of various sources of 
uncertainty on key decisions, including whether to excavate, timing of 
repairs, and timing of reassessment interval PHMSA will address 
potential changes to repair schedules in a future rulemaking action.

(3) Notification of Special Circumstances--Pressure Reduction

    Both the hazardous liquid (Sec.  195.452(h)) and gas transmission 
(Sec.  192.933) pipeline IM remediation criteria require operators to 
reduce pressure or to shut down the pipeline until they can remediate 
all anomalous conditions. The IM regulations do not require 
notification when an operator reduces pressure unless the operator 
cannot meet its schedule for evaluating and remediating conditions and 
cannot provide safety through a temporary decrease in operating 
pressure. If a pressure reduction exceeds 365 days, a gas transmission 
pipeline operator must provide technical justification that the 
continued pressure reduction will not jeopardize the pipeline's 
integrity, and a hazardous liquid pipeline operator must take further 
remedial action to ensure the safety of the pipeline.
    PHMSA proposed amending its regulations to require an operator of a 
gas transmission or hazardous liquid pipeline to notify PHMSA when it 
reduces pressure on an IM program segment (to remediate a defect), and 
to provide a justification for the pressure reduction. If a repair was 
not completed within 365 days, the operator would again be required to 
notify PHMSA and provide an explanation for the delay. PHMSA intended 
the proposed notification to provide better information on what causes 
schedule delays (permitting, scheduling, other); and where and under 
what circumstances PHMSA would be in a position to help streamline the 
permit process.
    For gas transmission pipeline operators, PHMSA proposed repealing 
the requirement for notification of local pipeline safety authorities. 
PHMSA is not aware of any instance where an intrastate gas transmission 
pipeline is regulated by a local, rather than a State or Federal, 
authority.
    Comment: The commenters supported efforts to better understand 
repair delays and supported efforts to improve pipeline IM. 
Nevertheless, the commenters opposed the notifications as proposed, 
stating that PHMSA needs to provide a clear statement of issues, 
analysis of possible solutions, and the expected costs and benefits of 
such a regulatory solution. Commenters contended the proposed 
notifications would impose a significant, undue, and problematic 
administrative burden on industry. Commenters said many discretionary 
pressure reductions are part of voluntary, normal, and circumstantial 
events unrelated to remediation scheduling requirements.
    Some commenters recommended a demonstration project and suggested 
PHMSA collect and review the proposed notification data over a two-year 
period before making a final determination on the need for continued 
notification. Commenters also suggested collecting the information 
through annual reporting for any case where operators could not meet 
the remediation schedule requirements of Sec.  195.452(h).
    Other commenters suggested pressure reduction notifications should 
apply where remediation requirements cannot be met due to circumstances 
beyond the operator's control, when events impact energy supply, or 
when the operator cannot meet the remediation time limits and the 
pressure reduction exceeds 365 days. Notifications in these situations 
would provide PHMSA with more information on conditions interfering 
with repair attempts and help PHMSA recognize patterns potentially 
affecting pipeline safety.
    Commenters also requested PHMSA clarify that the notifications 
requested are for pressure reductions related to IM remediation and not 
for other situations, such as pressure reductions done as safety 
precautions.
    PHMSA Response: After analyzing the comments, PHMSA agrees that 
adding a requirement to notify PHMSA (and States, when applicable) of 
every pressure reduction would add a significant burden and likely 
would not result in commensurate useful information. Temporary pressure 
reductions add extra safety margin and serve to mitigate the safety 
impacts of repair delays, making early notifications unnecessary. PHMSA 
believes the current notification requirements address most cases 
where, for safety reasons, notification is important--those instances 
when an operator is unable to make repairs within the required time 
frames and cannot provide safety through pressure reductions. Thus, 
this existing notification requirement will remain unchanged.
    In addition to the existing requirement, PHMSA has added a 
requirement for notification when a pressure reduction exceeds 365 
days. PHMSA believes that notification of extended delay, with 
justification for the pressure reduction, will provide important 
information on conditions interfering with the operator's ability to 
complete defect remediation without placing an undue burden on the 
operator. This notification will enable PHMSA to intervene if necessary 
in order to facilitate needed repairs (e.g., by assisting in resolving 
permitting delays) and to evaluate the necessity for additional safety 
measures until remediation can be completed.
    PHMSA expects that greater understanding of the causes of repair 
delays will help identify where extra actions can help. We are 
particularly interested in whether any delays are due to permitting 
problems. We also agree that periodic information collection, as part 
of the annual report, would reduce the paperwork burden without 
compromising safety. In the future, PHMSA will consider revising 
requirements for annual reports to include the number of times repairs 
required by IM regulations are delayed, beyond required repair times, 
because of permitting issues.
    PHMSA has clarified that the notification requirements apply to 
certain pressure reductions made for purposes of IM remediation 
requirements. We have also modified the wording in Sec. Sec.  
192.933(c) and 195.452(h)(3) to make it clearer and consistent with 
wording in the IM notification requirements. There is no change in the 
requirement. With the revised wording, this section will now require an 
operator to explain why it cannot meet its schedule for evaluation and 
remediation of a condition and that the changed schedule will not 
jeopardize public safety (gas transmission) or public safety or 
environmental protection (hazardous liquid).
    We received favorable comments on the proposal to eliminate the 
notification provisions for local pipeline safety authorities. 
Accordingly, we are

[[Page 39015]]

repealing this requirement as proposed. For gas transmission pipeline 
operators, State notification requirements will continue for intrastate 
pipelines regulated by that State or for interstate gas transmission 
pipelines in States where PHMSA has an interstate agent agreement.

(4) Formula for Reducing Operating Pressure

    Section 195.452(h)(4) requires a hazardous liquid pipeline operator 
to calculate a temporary reduction in operating pressure using the 
formula in section 451.7 of ASME/ANSI B 31.4 when making an immediate 
repair. The requirement is to ensure an extra safety margin. However, 
this formula only applies to metal loss anomalies, not to all immediate 
repair conditions, and can result in a calculated pressure higher than 
the original operating pressure.
    PHMSA proposed revising the provision by allowing hazardous liquid 
pipeline operators to use the ASME/ANSI B 31.4 formula, if applicable. 
If not applicable to the anomaly, or if the formula results in a 
calculated pressure higher than the original operating pressure, 
operators could use an alternative acceptable method to calculate 
pressure reductions.
    Comment: Commenters supported PHMSA's proposal to allow operators 
to use alternative methods to address anomalies and pipeline operating 
conditions. No commenter opposed the proposal.
    PHMSA Response: We are adopting the proposal with minor wording 
changes. This final rule provides flexibility in methods an operator 
may use to calculate a pressure reduction when making immediate repairs 
on a hazardous liquid pipeline.

III. Advisory Committee Recommendations

    The amendments adopted in this final rule have been reviewed and 
approved by both of our pipeline safety standards advisory committees, 
the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, and the Technical 
Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee. On June 28, 2006, 
PHMSA held a joint meeting of the Committees and two concurrent public 
workshops in Alexandria, VA. PHMSA presented the proposed changes to 
the committees for a vote. Following a brief discussion, the committee 
members unanimously carried a motion to accept the rule changes.

IV. Regulatory Analyses and Notices

A. Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of all comments received in 
response to 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.). DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement was published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000 (65 
FR 19477) and is available on the Web at http://dms.dot.gov.

B. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This final rule is not considered a significant regulatory action 
under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735; Oct. 4, 1993) 
or the Regulatory Policies and Procedures of the Department of 
Transportation (44 FR 11034; Feb. 26, 1979). A final regulatory 
evaluation is in the docket for this rulemaking.
    The rule's provision concerning scheduling continued integrity 
assessments will yield benefits in the form of additional flexibility, 
and will have no cost effects. PHMSA believes the change to the 
notification requirement for pressure reductions exceeding 365 days 
will add minimally to the annual average cost to each operator, and to 
the number of operators affected. PHMSA expects the benefits will 
offset costs. Together, PHMSA expects these changes to IM regulations 
for hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines to create positive 
net benefits.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 13272

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-611) requires agencies 
to review each new regulation and assess its impact on small businesses 
and other small entities to determine whether the final rule will have 
a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. This 
rule imposes minimal new costs of compliance on the regulated 
community. The requirements do not apply to a substantial number of 
small entities. The revisions to the IM rules will affect hazardous 
liquid pipeline operators and gas transmission pipeline operators. 
PHMSA expects notification costs per operator to be significantly less 
than $3.04 annually, a non-significant burden on any pipeline operator, 
large or small. The changes to add scheduling flexibility to the 
integrity reassessments will create positive benefits and impose 
minimal additional costs. The changed notification requirements for 
pressure reductions exceeding 365 days will also create benefits, and 
negligible added costs. Together, PHMSA expects these changes to the IM 
regulations for hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines to 
create positive net benefits to the affected industry. Based on the 
cost benefit analysis the regulatory changes will not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    PHMSA developed this final rule in accordance with Executive Order 
13272 (``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking'') 
and DOT's procedures and policies to promote compliance with the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act to ensure that the potential impact of rules 
on small entities are properly considered. The Small Business 
Administration's small business definition is either $6 million in 
revenue (for natural gas pipelines under North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS) 486210) or 1,500 employees (for crude oil 
and refined petroleum product pipelines under NAICS 486110 and 486910). 
Based on a review of data collected from the hazardous liquid pipeline 
industry, PHMSA estimates there are 10-20 small entities. PHMSA does 
not have an estimate of the number of gas transmission pipeline 
operators that meet the small business definition. Information 
collection determining pipeline operator staffing or revenue would 
require separate Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. 
However, as stated above, compliance with this regulation requires a 
trivial expenditure and imposes a minimal burden on small businesses.
    I certify this final rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The costs associated 
with this final rule will be offset with benefits such as increased 
flexibility for operators. The changed notification requirements for 
pressure reductions exceeding 365 days would create benefits and 
negligible added costs.

D. Executive Order 13132

    PHMSA analyzed this rule under the principles and criteria 
contained in Executive Order 13132 (Federalism). None of the changes in 
this final rule: (1) Have a substantial direct effect on States, 
relationships between the Federal government and the States, or on 
distribution of power and responsibilities among various levels of 
government; (2) imposes substantial direct compliance costs on States 
and local governments; or (3) preempts State law. Therefore, the 
consultation and funding requirements of Executive

[[Page 39016]]

Order 13132 (64 FR 43255; August 10, 1999) do not apply.

E. Executive Order 13175

    PHMSA analyzed this rule under the principles and criteria 
contained in Executive Order 13175 (``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'') (63 FR 27655; November 9, 2000). 
Because this rule will not significantly or uniquely affect the 
communities of the Indian tribal governments, the funding and 
consultation requirements of this Executive Order do not apply.

F. Executive Order 13211

    This rule is not a ``significant energy action'' under Executive 
Order 13211 (Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use). It is not likely to have a 
significant adverse effect on energy supply, distribution, or use. This 
rule does not change the pressure reduction restrictions in the IM 
regulations. It only changes the notification requirements associated 
with those pressure reductions.

G. Unfunded Mandates

    This rule does not impose unfunded mandates under the 1995 Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act. It does not result in costs of $100 million or 
more to either State, local, or tribal governments, in aggregate, or to 
the private sector, and is the least burdensome alternative for 
achieving the objectives.

H. Paperwork Reduction Act

    PHMSA evaluated the rule, as required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)), and believes the rule will impose no 
significant paperwork burden on industry or individual operators. 
Industry commenters to the rule supported the revised notification 
requirements. As required, PHMSA presented a separate paperwork 
analysis to OMB for review and will file a copy of the analysis in the 
docket.
    This rule imposes minimal information collection requirements. 
Based on information currently available to PHMSA, 26 operators filed 
74 pressure reduction notifications over the last three years. The 
revised notification requirements will likely result in minimal 
additional paperwork burden. The estimated average time to prepare a 
notification request is 30 minutes. PHMSA does not know how many more 
notifications will result from the requirement but estimates, on 
average, less than $3.04 per affected operator per year. Therefore, 
there should be no significant cost or hourly burden on individual 
operators or the industry because of the notification requirement in 
this rule.

I. National Environmental Policy Act

    PHMSA analyzed this rule under section 102(2)(c) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332), the Council on Environmental 
Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), and DOT Order 5610.1C, and 
determined this action will not significantly affect the quality of the 
human environment. PHMSA did not receive comments on the environmental 
assessment prepared on the proposed rule. The final environmental 
assessment is in the Docket.

List of Subjects

49 CFR Part 192

    Pipeline safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

49 CFR Part 195

    Pipeline safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.


0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, PHMSA amends 49 CFR parts 
192 and 195 as follows:

PART 192--TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE: 
MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS

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. Amend Sec.  192.933 by revising paragraphs (a) and (c), to read as 
follows:


Sec.  192.933  What actions must an operator take to address integrity 
issues?

    (a) General requirements. An operator must take prompt action to 
address all anomalous conditions the operator discovers through the 
integrity assessment. In addressing all conditions, an operator must 
evaluate all anomalous conditions and remediate those that could reduce 
a pipeline's integrity. An operator must be able to demonstrate that 
the remediation of the condition will ensure the condition is unlikely 
to pose a threat to the integrity of the pipeline until the next 
reassessment of the covered segment.
    (1) Temporary pressure reduction. If an operator is unable to 
respond within the time limits for certain conditions specified in this 
section, the operator must temporarily reduce the operating pressure of 
the pipeline or take other action that ensures the safety of the 
covered segment. An operator must determine any temporary reduction in 
operating pressure required by this section using ASME/ANSI B31G 
(incorporated by reference, see Sec.  192.7) or AGA Pipeline Research 
Committee Project PR-3-805 (``RSTRENG,'' incorporated by reference, see 
Sec.  192.7) or reduce the operating pressure to a level not exceeding 
80 percent of the level at the time the condition was discovered. (See 
appendix A to this part for information on availability of 
incorporation by reference information.) An operator must notify PHMSA 
in accordance with Sec.  192.949 if it cannot meet the schedule for 
evaluation and remediation required under paragraph (c) of this section 
and cannot provide safety through temporary reduction in operating 
pressure or other action. An operator must also notify a State pipeline 
safety authority when either a covered segment is located in a State 
where PHMSA has an interstate agent agreement, or an intrastate covered 
segment is regulated by that State.
    (2) Long-term pressure reduction. When a pressure reduction exceeds 
365 days, the operator must notify PHMSA under Sec.  192.949 and 
explain the reasons for the remediation delay. This notice must include 
a technical justification that the continued pressure reduction will 
not jeopardize the integrity of the pipeline. The operator also must 
notify a State pipeline safety authority when either a covered segment 
is located in a State where PHMSA has an interstate agent agreement, or 
an intrastate covered segment is regulated by that State.
* * * * *
    (c) Schedule for evaluation and remediation. An operator must 
complete remediation of a condition according to a schedule 
prioritizing the conditions for evaluation and remediation. Unless a 
special requirement for remediating certain conditions applies, as 
provided in paragraph (d) of this section, an operator must follow the 
schedule in ASME/ANSI B31.8S (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  
192.7), section 7, Figure 4. If an operator cannot meet the schedule 
for any condition, the operator must explain the reasons why it cannot 
meet the schedule and how the changed schedule will not jeopardize 
public safety.
* * * * *

PART 195--TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS BY PIPELINE

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


[[Page 39017]]


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


0
4. Amend Sec.  195.452 by revising paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(3), (h)(4), 
and (j)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  195.452  Pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas.

* * * * *
    (h) * * * (1) General requirements. An operator must take prompt 
action to address all anomalous conditions the operator discovers 
through the integrity assessment or information analysis. In addressing 
all conditions, an operator must evaluate all anomalous conditions and 
remediate those that could reduce a pipeline's integrity. An operator 
must be able to demonstrate that the remediation of the condition will 
ensure the condition is unlikely to pose a threat to the long-term 
integrity of the pipeline. An operator must comply with Sec.  195.422 
when making a repair.
    (i) Temporary pressure reduction. An operator must notify PHMSA, in 
accordance with paragraph (m) of this section, if the operator cannot 
meet the schedule for evaluation and remediation required under 
paragraph (h)(3) of this section and cannot provide safety through a 
temporary reduction in operating pressure.
    (ii) Long-term pressure reduction. When a pressure reduction 
exceeds 365 days, the operator must notify PHMSA in accordance with 
paragraph (m) of this section and explain the reasons for the delay. An 
operator must also take further remedial action to ensure the safety of 
the pipeline.
* * * * *
    (3) Schedule for evaluation and remediation. An operator must 
complete remediation of a condition according to a schedule 
prioritizing the conditions for evaluation and remediation. If an 
operator cannot meet the schedule for any condition, the operator must 
explain the reasons why it cannot meet the schedule and how the changed 
schedule will not jeopardize public safety or environmental protection.
    (4) Special requirements for scheduling remediation. (i) Immediate 
repair conditions. An operator's evaluation and remediation schedule 
must provide for immediate repair conditions. To maintain safety, an 
operator must temporarily reduce the operating pressure or shut down 
the pipeline until the operator completes the repair of these 
conditions. An operator must calculate the temporary reduction in 
operating pressure using the formula in section 451.7 of ASME/ANSI 
B31.4 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  195.3), if applicable. If 
the formula is not applicable to the type of anomaly or would produce a 
higher operating pressure, an operator must use an alternative 
acceptable method to calculate a reduced operating pressure. An 
operator must treat the following conditions as immediate repair 
conditions:
* * * * *
    (3) Assessment intervals. An operator must establish five-year 
intervals, not to exceed 68 months, for continually assessing the line 
pipe's integrity. An operator must base the assessment intervals on the 
risk the line pipe poses to the high consequence area to determine the 
priority for assessing the pipeline segments. An operator must 
establish the assessment intervals based on the factors specified in 
paragraph (e) of this section, the analysis of the results from the 
last integrity assessment, and the information analysis required by 
paragraph (g) of this section.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 6, 2007.
Thomas J. Barrett,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E7-13772 Filed 7-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P