Pipeline Safety Trust Fort Worth Natural Gas Production Issues

John W. Pepper Project Manager Office of Pipeline Safety Southwest Region, Houston, Texas

Relevant Pipeline Safety Issues

Jurisdiction Right-of-Ways Design Construction Operations Public Awareness Damage Prevention Potential Supplemental Actions Conclusions

Jurisdiction
Gathering, Transmission, and Distribution Pipelines, Part 192 regulations - building and operating regulations
Interstate, crossing State boundaries Intrastate, contained within a States boundaries
Texas, The Texas Railroad Commission The State can adopt more stringent, but not less stringent, safety regulations Texas Has!!!

Urban Right-of-Ways

Right-of-Ways
Condemnations are not under the jurisdiction of the OPS. The OPS does work with affected landowners when concerns arise regarding regulated pipeline activities. Easements are between the landowner and the pipeline company. Some recommendations are:
Negotiate for the best terms Read and understand Adhere to terms

Design
Based on Part 192 regulations (Subparts A, B, C, & D) Pipelines are designed based on the population density existing along each mile of pipeline.
Class 1, 72%, 10 or fewer structures intended for human occupancy (SIHO) (Very rural locations) Class 2, 60%, 11 to 45 SIHO Class 3, 50%, 46 or more SIHO (Urban locations)

Design (Continued)
Pipeline Sizes vary from 2-inches to 48inches. Gathering pipelines are generally from 2 to 10 inches in size. Pipeline Pressures vary from ounces of pressure to more than 1400 pounds per square inch (psig) of pressure.

Pipeline Coating and Cathodic Protection

Design (Continued)
Pipeline Coatings are applied to the pipeline to minimize the potential for corrosion. Cathodic Protection is applied to the entire pipeline system to mitigate against flaws in the coating.
Ongoing for the life of the pipeline Surveys to determine effectiveness

Design (Continued)
In general, pipelines and associated facilities are designed to operate reliably and safely, almost indefinitely, given proper operating and maintenance practices.

Urban Construction

Construction
Based on Part 192 regulations (Subparts E, F, G, & J) Standards
Burial to proper depth, X-Ray welds for defects, Hydrostatically test for defects

Operator specifications and inspections

Coatings Welds Burial free of damaging rock

Always Federal and state inspections during construction

Operations Leakage Surveys and Signage

Operations
Based on Part 192 regulations (Subparts I, L, M, N, & O) Ongoing surveillance on the ground and often by air Leakage survey frequency is based on population density Corrosion Control Integrity management practices are implemented in all High Consequence Areas on a continual basis.
Identify potential risks such as corrosion or third party damage. Perform hydrostatic tests and make associated repairs. Conduct Inline Investigations and make associated repairs. Implement supplemental preventive and mitigative measures to address ongoing potential risks.

Operations (Continued)
Implement emergency response preparation. Demonstrate operator qualifications to work on and around pipelines. Participate actively in One-Call programs, 811 Call Before You Dig. Always Ongoing Federal and State inspections.

Public Awareness Damage Prevention Call Before You Dig

Public Awareness Damage Prevention

Based on Part 192 regulations Written Continuous public education program targeted for:
General public Local government agencies Excavation community

Education must relate to:

Use of One-Call Hazards from unintended gas releases Identifying leaks or problems

Always Ongoing Federal and State inspections.

Potential Supplemental Actions

Enhanced signage requirements more signage possibly per state regulations Excavator education all excavators educated for damage prevention purposes Noise control ordinances associated with allowable noise limits Enhanced public awareness communications Others???

Signage

Conclusions
Pipelines are extremely reliable. Pipelines are inspected during construction and throughout their operational lives. Operators must maintain reliable and thus safe pipelines through prudent practices. Operators must work with emergency providers in order to be ready for emergencies. Operators must provide ongoing education programs for all of the affected public.

Important Links
Office of Pipeline Safety www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline Federal Energy Regulatory Commission www.ferc.gov National Transportation Safety Board www.ntsb.gov Common Ground Alliance www.commongroundalliance.com

Thank You!
John W. Pepper John.pepper@dot.gov Work 713-272-2849