[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2126-2127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-618]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2012-0001]


Pipeline Safety: Implementation of the National Registry of 
Pipeline and Liquefied Natural Gas Operators

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

ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory Bulletin.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises owners and operators of pipeline 
facilities of PHMSA's plan regarding the implementation of the national 
registry of pipeline and liquefied natural gas operators.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamerson Pender, Information Resources 
Manager, (202) 366-0218 or by email at [email protected].

[[Page 2127]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    PHMSA published a final rule in the Federal Register on November 
26, 2010, (75 FR 72878), titled: ``Pipeline Safety: Updates to Pipeline 
and Liquefied Natural Gas Reporting Requirements.'' The final rule 
added two new sections, 49 CFR 191.22 and 195.64, to the pipeline 
safety regulations for the establishment of a national pipeline 
operator registry. The national pipeline operator registry is primarily 
applicable to operators that file electronic reports. The registry will 
be used by pipeline operators to obtain an Operator Identification 
(OPID) Number and notify PHMSA of certain actions. Operators will use 
the OPID number for electronic submissions such as incident and annual 
reports. The national pipeline operator registry will also be used to 
provide PHMSA with operator notifications related to actions such as 
company name changes, certain construction activities, and project 
planning.
    The national pipeline operator registry became effective on January 
1, 2012. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements, 
PHMSA issued a 60-day Federal Register notice on December 13, 2010, (75 
FR 77694) and a 30-day Federal Register notice on November 10, 2011, 
(76 FR 70217) to gather and respond to comments on the actual forms 
used to collect information for the national pipeline operator 
registry.
    PHMSA has issued this advisory bulletin to clarify the 
implementation of the national pipeline operator registry.

Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2012-01)

    To: Owners and Operators of Pipeline Facilities.
    Subject: Implementation of the Operator Identification Registry.
    Advisory: This notice advises owners and operators of pipeline 
facilities of the implementation of the national pipeline operator 
registry.

Implementation of OPID Registry (Program Effective Date: January 1, 
2012)

    This table identifies the expected submission dates for the various 
submissions that are related to the national pipeline operator 
registry.

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                 Action                        Submission expected
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OPID Assignment Requests: Sec.  Sec.     Begins February 1, 2012
 191.22(a) and 195.64(a).                 (Operators in need of an OPID
                                          prior to February 1, 2012,
                                          should contact the operator
                                          hotline at (202) 366-8075).
OPID Validation: Sec.  Sec.   191.22(b)  As specified in Sec.  Sec.
 and 195.64(b).                           191.22(b) and 195.64(b),
                                          respectively (June 30, 2012).
Notification Submissions: Sec.  Sec.     ...............................
 191.22(c) and 195.64(c)
    --60-day ``before'' notifications    January 31, 2012.
     for events occurring between
     January 1, 2012, and March 30,
     2012.
    --60-day ``before'' notifications    As specified in Sec.  Sec.
     for events occurring after March     191.22(c)(1) and 195.64(c)(1),
     30, 2012.                            respectively.
    --60-day ``after'' notifications     As specified in Sec.  Sec.
     for events occurring on and after    191.22(c)(2) and 195.64(c)(2),
     January 1, 2012.                     respectively.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Here are a few clarifying questions and responses regarding the 
national pipeline operator registry.
    Question 1: Sections 191.22(c)(1) and 195.64(c)(1), require the 
submission of a notification 60 days prior to ``Construction or any 
planned * * * that costs $10 million or more * * *.'' Some operators 
have multiple projects that are consolidated into a program. For 
example, an operator upgrades 10 meter sites over various systems 
within one OPID and each upgrade is documented as an individual 
project, but consolidated into one program to minimize costs, 
contractors, material, etc. Further, each meter site upgrade is 
expected to cost $1 million for a grand total of $10 million for the 
program. For reporting purposes, should the operator consider the 10 
individual projects at $1 million each or as a program of $10 million?
    Answer 1: The $10 million threshold applies to each project. 
Therefore, the consolidated projects specified in the example would not 
hit the $10 million threshold since each project is less than $10 
million.
    Question 2: Section 195.64(c)(1)(iii) requires operators to notify 
PHMSA of the construction of a new pipeline facility no later than 60 
days before the construction occurs. PHMSA has received questions 
regarding the use of the term ``pipeline facility'' and whether it 
includes line pipe.
    Answer 2: By definition (Sec.  195.2) a pipeline facility includes 
``new and existing pipe, right-of-ways, and any equipment, facility, or 
building used in the transportation of hazardous liquids or carbon 
dioxide.'' However, for notification purposes of Sec.  195.2(c)(iii), 
pipe is not included. This clarification also applies to Sec.  
195.2(c)(v), which requires notifications for the acquisition and 
divestitures of existing pipeline facilities.
    Further details on how to file submissions are detailed at the 
following URL: http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov. Any questions regarding the 
filing of national pipeline operator registry submissions can be 
directed to the Office of Pipeline Safety operator helpline at (202) 
366-8075.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2012.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2012-618 Filed 1-12-12; 8:45 am]
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