[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59342-59344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27526]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration


Pipeline Safety: Request To Modify Special Permit Docket No. 
PHMSA-2007-29078 Federal Register Docket No. PHMSA-2009-0377

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal pipeline safety laws allow a pipeline operator to 
request that PHMSA waive compliance with any part of the Federal 
pipeline safety regulations by granting a special permit to the 
operator. PHMSA is publishing this notice to indicate that we have 
received from the Kern River Gas Transmission Company (Kern River), a 
request for modification of an existing special permit, PHMSA-2007-
29078, granted to the company on November 8, 2008. Kern River seeks 
modification of Condition 35 of the special permit, which concerns the 
external coating on its gas pipeline. This notice seeks public comment 
on Kern River's request, including comments on any potential 
environmental impacts. At the conclusion of the comment period, PHMSA 
will evaluate Kern River's request to determine whether to modify the 
special permit or deny the request.

DATES: Submit any comments regarding this special permit modification 
request by December 17, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference the docket number for this special 
permit and may be submitted in the following ways:
     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.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Management System; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    Instructions: Identify the docket number, PHMSA-2007-29078, at the 
beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail, please 
submit two copies. To receive confirmation that PHMSA received your 
comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may 
submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov. Note: Comments are 
posted without changes or edits to http://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided.
    Privacy Act Statement: Anyone may search the electronic form of all 
comments received for any of dockets. DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement was published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000 (65 
FR 19477) and is available on http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    General: Kay McIver by telephone at (202) 366-0113; or, e-mail at 
[email protected].
    Technical: Steve Nanney by telephone at (713) 272-2855; or, e-mail 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On August 20, 2007, Kern River petitioned PHMSA for a special 
permit waiving compliance with 49 CFR, 192.111, 192.201, 192.505 and 
192.619, to operate its pipeline system at a design factor of up to 
0.80 in Class 1 areas, 0.67 in Class 2 areas and 0.56 in Class 3 areas 
and compressor stations. Kern River sought this special permit so that 
it could increase the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) in 
its pipeline system. On January 4, 2008, PHMSA posted a notice of the 
special permit request in the Federal Register (72 FR 6042). We did not 
receive any comments for or against the special permit request as a 
result of the notice. On November 6, 2008, PHMSA issued an order 
granting Kern River a special permit with the conditions and 
limitations specified in items 1 through 56 and 1 through 5, 
respectively.
    The Kern River Gas Transmission pipeline system originates in 
Lincoln County, Wyoming, where it receives Rocky Mountain gas. It 
traverses through southwestern Wyoming, and into Utah and Nevada. It 
then interconnects with the Mojave Pipeline across the California 
border in San Bernardino County, California. The special permit applies 
to approximately 1,310 miles of 36'' mainline (A-Line) and loop-line 
(B-Line) of the Kern River Transmission system. PHMSA has been 
monitoring compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit since 
it was granted. On October 5, 2009, Kern River petitioned PHMSA to 
modify Condition 35 (Coating Assessment) of the special permit, 
relating to the condition of the external coating on its gas pipeline 
system. Kern River's petition includes proposed modifications to 
Condition 35, supporting technical justification and documentation, and 
a proposal to conduct certain additional work.

II. Comments Invited on Request for Modification

    PHMSA has filed Kern River's petition to modify Condition 35 of the 
special permit in the Federal Docket Management System (DMS). The 
docket includes the petition, the original special permit, special 
permit analysis and findings, and other supporting documents provided 
by Kern River. This information is available at www.regulations.gov 
under Docket Number PHMSA-2007-29078.
    We invite interested persons to participate by reviewing the 
petition to modify the special permit and by submitting written 
comments, data or other views. Please include any comments on potential 
environmental impacts modification of the special permit may have. 
Before acting on the modification request, PHMSA will evaluate all 
comments received on or before the comment closing date. Late filed 
comments will be considered to the extent practicable. We may modify 
the special permit or deny the request based on the comments we 
receive.

III. Summary of Modification Request

    Existing Condition 35 requires Kern River to evaluate the condition 
of, and make repairs to the coating on its pipeline system. Pipeline 
coating is an important means of protecting pipelines from external 
corrosion damage. Condition 35 requires Kern River to collect and use 
coating-related data to determine when to conduct pipeline coating 
surveys and determine the locations of field excavations and repairs of 
coating. This data should also drive Kern River's future coating 
remediation procedures and schedules; cathodic protection survey 
procedures and schedules; operational limits such as compressor station 
maximum discharge temperatures and pressures; in-line inspection 
schedules, and anomaly remediation criteria.
    Kern River requests modifications of Condition 35 that would permit 
fewer excavations and repairs at areas where surveys indicate damage to 
the pipeline coating. Kern River proposes to conduct additional 
corrosion prevention tasks on the pipeline system in lieu of compliance 
with the original requirement. Kern River contends that this additional 
work, combined with the work already required pursuant to existing 
regulations and other

[[Page 59343]]

Conditions in the special permit, will mitigate external corrosion 
risks on the pipeline. Kern River also contends that data collected so 
far show that, while Kern River does have pipe coating defects, the 
pipeline corrosion protection system currently in place is adequately 
protecting the pipeline, and the pipe coating defects examined do not 
threaten pipeline integrity.
    In summary, Kern River requests modifications to Condition 35 in 
the following three areas:
    1. Definition of ``Remediation.'' Addition of a definition of the 
word ``remediation'' drawn from the National Association of Corrosion 
Engineers (NACE) Recommended Practice 0502-2002, Pipeline External 
Corrosion Direct Assessment Methodology (NACE RP 0502-2002). Such 
definition would permit remediation of coating anomalies by means other 
than coating repair.
    2. Excavation. Clarification to require excavation of two damaged 
coating indications for each classification (minor, moderate and 
severe), for each survey crew and compressor station discharge section. 
Further clarification that two excavations for each classification are 
not required if two are not found, however, in any case at least two 
excavations must be made in each section. Finally, clarification that 
excavation of every Alternating Current Voltage Gradient (ACVG) 
indication is not required on the basis of the definition of 
``remediation'' above.
    3. Additional Requirements. Addition of a requirement that Kern 
River perform certain corrosion prevention work before raising the 
operating pressure of its pipeline.
    Kern River's proposed modifications to Condition 35 are set out 
below. Underlined text represents proposed new or changed language.
    Coating Assessment: To verify the pipeline coating conditions and 
to remediate any integrity issues, Kern River must perform a DCVG 
survey or ACVG survey of the following not later than one year after 
the grant of this special permit.
    (a) all piping in the special permit area that has operated above 
120 degrees Fahrenheit,
    (a) all Class 1 locations with structures within 300 feet of the 
pipeline,
    (b) all Class 2 and all Class 3 locations, and
    (c) all HCAs.
    A DCVG or ACVG survey and remediation need not be performed if Kern 
River has performed a DCVG or ACVG and remediation survey of the above 
and completed the remediation of any integrity issue within the two 
years prior to the grant of this special permit. Kern River must 
remediate any damaged coating indications found during these 
assessments that are classified as moderate (i.e. 15% IR and above for 
DCVG or 35 dB[micro]V and above for ACVG) or severe based on NACE 
International Recommended Practice 0502-2002, Pipeline External 
Corrosion Direct Assessment Methodology, (NACE RP 0502-2002). 
Remediation as defined herein is the definition from NACE RP 0502-2002, 
which states ``remediation refers to corrective actions taken to 
mitigate deficiencies in the corrosion protection system.''
    A minimum of two coating survey assessment classifications must be 
excavated, for each classification (minor, moderate and severe), for 
each survey crew and compressor station discharge section. Two 
excavations for each classification are not required if two are not 
found, however, in any case at least two excavations must be made in 
each section. If factors beyond Kern River's control prevent the 
completion of the DCVG or ACVG survey and remediation within one year, 
a DCVG or ACVG survey and remediation must be performed as soon as 
practicable and a letter justifying the delay and providing the 
anticipated date of completion must be submitted to the director, PHMSA 
Western Region not later than one year after the grant of this special 
permit.
    Kern River will complete the following coating and pipe integrity 
prior to raising the operating pressure under this Special Permit:
    A. Kern River will accelerate the in-line inspection of both 
mainlines between the Salt Lake and Elberta compressor stations and the 
A Line between the Dry Lake and Goodsprings compressor stations, from 
2010 to 2009. Conducting these inspections before the pressure increase 
will verify the integrity of the system in these high consequence areas 
and verify that the corrosion protection systems have been functioning 
properly.
    B. Kern River will evaluate historic rectifier current and voltage 
demands.
    C. Kern River will excavate and examine all coating anomalies over 
70 dB[mu]V in the 2009 ACVG survey areas. The purpose of the digs is to 
characterize the nature of the coating holiday and the state of the 
surroundings with respect to corrosion. In the event that the corrosion 
protection system is found to be ineffective or active corrosion is 
identified, a root cause analysis will be developed and the cause 
mitigated within six months.
    D. Kern River has developed a GIS alignment sheet to facilitate the 
integration of In-Line Inspection (ILI), Close Interval Survey (CIS), 
ACVG, Alternating Current Current Attenuation (ACCA), depth of cover, 
elevation, pipe and coating information and foreign crossings with a 
map band containing aerial photography. The integrated data will be 
used as the basis for future integrity management decisions.
    E. Kern River will assemble and review documentation packages for 
each excavation and will forward them to PHMSA as completed. These 
packages will contain the findings of each excavation. Kern River will 
also summarize and statistically analyze the results of the excavation 
program.
    F. Kern River will conduct a side-by-side comparison of the 
Spectrum XLI ACVG readings obtained from the original survey with 
Pipeline Current Mapper (PCM) A-frame ACVG readings obtained for a 
five-mile section on each of the A-Line and B-Line downstream of the 
Goodsprings compressor station.
    Kern River will implement the seven specific integrity measures 
enumerated below to ensure that the corrosion protection system is 
effective. These measures will be performed recognizing the results and 
findings of conditions that relate to the effectiveness of the 
corrosion protection system, including Conditions 19, 32, 33, 34, 39, 
40 and 41.
    The specific integrity measures are:
    1. Remote monitoring of rectifiers on line pipe subject to the 
Special Permit;
    2. Evaluation of annual surveys at test point locations;
    3. Evaluation of CIS in HCAs as conducted under Special Permit 
Condition 33 (Verification of Cathodic Protection);
    4. Evaluation of surveys for AC/DC interference mitigation plan;
    5. Evaluation of data from excavations made for routine maintenance 
and integrity management work;
    6. Evaluation of ILI data; and
    7. Integration and evaluation of integrated data from rectifiers, 
test points, AC/DC interference surveys, CIS in HCAs, ILI and pipe 
exposures including encroachments.
    In the event that corrosion prevention is found to be ineffective 
or active corrosion is identified, the corrosion will be mitigated. 
Mitigation will be carried out in accordance with Kern River's 
Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Manual, which has been updated to fulfill 
the requirements of Condition 43, Anomaly Evaluation and Repair.

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 60118 (c)(1) and 49 CFR 1.53.


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    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 11, 2009.
Alan Mayberry,
Director, Engineering and Emergency Support.
[FR Doc. E9-27526 Filed 11-16-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P