27 July 2011
Pipeline Hazards Caused by Flooding
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44985-44986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19029]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0177]
Pipeline Safety: Potential for Damage to Pipeline Facilities
Caused by Flooding
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
DOT.
ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory Bulletin.
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SUMMARY: PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to all owners and
operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to communicate the
potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by severe flooding.
This advisory includes actions that operators should consider taking to
ensure the integrity of pipelines in case of flooding.
ADDRESSES: This document can be viewed on the Office of Pipeline Safety
home page at: http://ops.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Operators of pipelines subject to
regulation by PHMSA should contact the appropriate PHMSA Regional
Office. The PHMSA Regional Offices and their contact information are as
follows:
Eastern Region: Connecticut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West
Virginia, call 609-989-2171.
Southern Region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and
Tennessee, call 404-832-1140.
Central Region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and
Wisconsin, call 816-329-3800.
Southwest Region: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, and Texas, call 713-272-2859.
Western Region: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado,
Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming,
call 720-963-3160.
Intrastate pipeline operators should contact the appropriate State
pipeline safety authority. A list of State pipeline safety authorities
is provided at: http://www.napsr.org/managers/napsr_state_program_managers2.htm.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 192.613(a) of the Pipeline Safety Regulations (49 CFR parts
190-199) states that ``[e]ach operator shall have a procedure for
continuing surveillance of its facilities to determine and take
appropriate action concerning changes in class location, failures,
leakage history, corrosion, substantial changes in cathodic protection
requirements, and other unusual operating and maintenance conditions.''
Section 192.613(b) further states that ``[i]f a segment of pipeline is
determined to be in unsatisfactory condition but no immediate hazard
exists, the operator shall initiate a program to recondition or phase
out the segment involved, or, if the segment cannot be reconditioned or
phased out, reduce the maximum allowable operating pressure in
accordance with Sec. 192.619 (a) and (b).''
Likewise, Sec. 195.401(b)(1) of the Pipeline Safety Regulations
states that ``[w]henever an operator discovers any condition that could
adversely affect the safe operation of its pipeline system, it must
correct the condition within a reasonable time. However, if the
condition is of such a nature that it presents an immediate hazard to
persons or property, the operator may not operate the affected part of
the system until it has corrected the unsafe condition.'' Section
195.401(b)(2) further states that ``[w]hen an operator discovers a
condition on a pipeline covered under [the integrity management
requirements in] Sec. 195.452, the operator must correct the condition
as prescribed in Sec. 195.452(h).''
Severe flooding is the kind of unusual operating condition that can
adversely affect the safe operation of a pipeline and require
corrective action under Sec. Sec. 192.613(a) and 195.401(b). In
October 1994, major flooding along the San Jacinto River near Houston,
Texas, resulted in eight pipeline failures and compromised the
integrity of several other pipelines. Similar flooding has occurred
along the Yellowstone River in the past few months. While the cause of
the accident is still under investigation, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company
experienced a pipeline failure near
[[Page 44986]]
Laurel, Montana, on July 1, 2011, resulting in the release of crude oil
into the Yellowstone River.
Severe flooding and other conditions that can adversely affect the
safe operation of a pipeline may also trigger the reporting
requirements in Part 191 and Part 195 or applicable state reporting
requirements. PHMSA requires operators to submit telephonic and written
reports when natural gas or hazardous liquid releases occur that exceed
certain threshold requirements. PHMSA also requires operators to submit
reports of safety-related conditions involving potentially unsafe
conditions on natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines (Sec. Sec.
191.23 and 195.55).
Advisory Bulletin (ADB-11-04)
To: Owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline
systems.
Subject: Potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by
severe flooding.
Advisory: Severe flooding can adversely affect the safe operation
of a pipeline. Operators need to direct their resources in a manner
that will enable them to determine the potential effects of flooding on
their pipeline systems. Operators are urged to take the following
actions to prevent and mitigate damage to pipeline facilities and
ensure public and environmental safety in areas affected by flooding:
1. Evaluate the accessibility of pipeline facilities that may be in
jeopardy, such as valve settings, which are needed to isolate water
crossings or other sections of a pipeline.
2. Extend regulator vents and relief stacks above the level of
anticipated flooding, as appropriate.
3. Coordinate with emergency and spill responders on pipeline
location and condition. Provide maps and other relevant information to
such responders.
4. Coordinate with other pipeline operators in the flood area and
establish emergency response centers to act as a liaison for pipeline
problems and solutions.
5. Deploy personnel so that they will be in position to take
emergency actions, such as shut down, isolation, or containment.
6. Determine if facilities that are normally above ground (e.g.,
valves, regulators, relief sets, etc.) have become submerged and are in
danger of being struck by vessels or debris; if possible, such
facilities should be marked with an appropriate buoy with Coast Guard
approval.
7. Perform frequent patrols, including appropriate overflights, to
evaluate right-of-way conditions at water crossings during flooding and
after waters subside. Determine if flooding has exposed or undermined
pipelines as a result of new river channels cut by the flooding or by
erosion or scouring.
8. Perform surveys to determine the depth of cover over pipelines
and the condition of any exposed pipelines, such as those crossing
scour holes. Where appropriate, surveys of underwater pipe should
include the use of visual inspection by divers or instrumented
detection. Information gathered by these surveys should be shared with
affected landowners. Agricultural agencies may help to inform farmers
of the potential hazard from reduced cover over pipelines.
9. Ensure that line markers are still in place or replaced in a
timely manner. Notify contractors, highway departments, and others
involved in post-flood restoration activities of the presence of
pipelines and the risks posed by reduced cover.
If a pipeline has suffered damage, is shut-in, or is being operated
at a reduced pressure as a precautionary measure as a result of
flooding, the operator should advise the appropriate PHMSA Regional
Office or State pipeline safety authority before returning the line to
service, increasing its operating pressure, or otherwise changing its
operating status. PHMSA or the State will review all available
information and advise the operator, on a case-by-case basis, whether
and to what extent a line can safely be returned to full service.
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2011.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2011-19029 Filed 7-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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