The Texas Railroad Commissioners has approved a pilot project that may help conserve fresh water as well as limit the disposal of waste saltwater from drilling operations through a process that recycles drilling waste water on site. The process involves on-site distilling units that apply heat to separate brine from water used to fracture gas…
March 2005
API Publishes RP 1133, Guidelines for Onshore Hydrocarbon Pipelines Affecting High Consequence Floodplains, First Edition
API RP 1133 sets out criteria for the design, construction, operation, maintenance and abandonment of onshore pipelines that could affect high consequence floodplains and associated commercially navigable waterways. This RP applies only to steel pipelines that transport gas, hazardous liquids, alcohols or carbon dioxide. The design, construction, inspection and testing provisions of this RP should…
Air Permit Needs?
Are you planning to expand or acquire? Air permit applications can be complex and consuming. RCP has the expertise to navigate through the application process, develop compliance assurance systems, and submit reports. Click Here
Three-Digit Dialing Roll Out Planned for March 10
According to Ben Cooper of AOPL, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell will announce the establishment of a toll-free nationwide three-digit number to connect callers with their local one-call system at the March 10th meeting. Which three digits to be chosen are not known at this time, but the leading candidates are 344 and 811.
New Research and Innovative Technology and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrations Announced
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced February 15th the creation of two new agencies at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) – one to focus on innovation and research and the other on pipeline and hazardous materials safety – to help the Department more effectively execute its mission of developing and applying innovative technologies…
Texas Pipeline Regulations – Proposed Revisions
The Texas Railroad Commission proposes amendments to Title 16, Part 1 of the Texas Administrative Code, §8.1, relating to General Applicability and Standards, §8.201, relating to Pipeline Safety Program Fees, and §8.210, relating to Reports. Section 8.1 concerns minimum safety standards and adopts by reference the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) pipeline safety standards.…
Response Plans for Onshore Transportation-Related Oil Pipelines; Final Rule
On January 5, 1993, OPS published an interim final rule which established oil spill response planning requirements for onshore pipeline operators. The OPS is now adopting the interim rule as a final rule. As a result of public comments made in response to this issuance, amendments have been made to various portions of the rule.…
Questions Regarding OPA 90 Containment Credits?
RCP can evaluate your plan in light of the more specific (and generous) guidance about secondary containment credits. Click Here for more information.
Operator Qualification Programs – Direct final rule
The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) has issued a Direct Final Rule concerning new Operator Qualification program requirements for personnel training, notice of program changes, government review and verification of programs, and use of on-the-job performance as a qualification method. This Direct Final Rule goes into effect July 1, 2005, if OPS does not receive…
GAS IMP Oversight Implementation and Inspection Protocol Workshop Presentation Materials Available
The Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) cosponsored a workshop on January 19-20, 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia to discuss the oversight implementation of the Gas Integrity Management program and the Inspection Protocols. The workshop provided a detailed review and discussion of…
OPS Issues New Liquid Pipeline Integrity Management Inspection Protocols
On February 8, 2005 RSPA/OPS issued new integrity management inspection protocols, dated December 31, 2004, replacing those dated January 21, 2003. The new protocols contain revisions reflecting the experience gained by the inspection teams using the January 21, 2003 protocols. The new protocols contain three new protocols questions, #’s 7.01, 8.05 and 8.06 that consolidate…
RCP’s VP of Project Development to Speak at the Southern Gas Association’s Public Awareness Workshop, March 23-24
RCP’s VP of Project Development, Susan Waller, will be presenting API’s Recommended Practice 1162 at the Southern Gas Association’s upcoming Public Awareness Workshop in Charlotte, NC, on March 23-24. She will explain the development of this new Recommended Practice, and will provide attendees with samples of written public awareness programs and brochures designed for the…