[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 218 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30210]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
49 CFR Part 195
[Docket No. PS-121; Notice-5]
RIN 2137-AD05
Pressure Testing Older Hazardous Liquid and Carbon Dioxide
Pipelines
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Further response to petitions for reconsideration on pressure
testing within terminals and tank farms.
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SUMMARY: This document announces that, while RSPA continues to review
requirements for pressure testing older piping within terminals and
tank farms, it will not enforce those requirements provided the
terminals and tank farms are designed and operated at lower stress
levels than the main line. RSPA is evaluating comments received on
pressure testing within these areas and is considering modifying the
current requirements. The enforcement policy maintains the status quo
(that is, no testing required) until a decision is made.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Israni, (202) 366-4571, or e-
mail: mike.israni@rspa.dot.gov, regarding the subject matter of this
document, or Jenny Donohue, (202) 366-4046, for copies of this document
or other information in the docket.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On June 7, 1994, RSPA issued a final rule requiring certain older
hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipelines to be pressure tested.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and Williams Pipe Line Company
(Williams) filed petitions for reconsideration of pressure testing
requirements for older terminal and tank farm piping on the grounds
that pressure testing would be costly and disruptive in the terminals
and that such piping is of lower risk since terminals and tank farms
are generally operated at reduced pressures. To explore this issue
further, RSPA invited comments in a Federal Register notice published
February 10, 1998 [63 FR 6677].
RSPA received five comments, including one from API. Four of five
commenters expressed that terminal/tank farm piping should be exempt
from testing requirements because they are designed and operated so
that stress level can never exceed 20% SMYS, therefore, there is low
possibility of failure. Commenters also argued that compliance would be
a difficult task because of many fittings, valves, tanks, and
instrumentation. Commenters also suggested that the benefit would be
questionable, but the costs would be substantially higher. API
suggested that RSPA consider separate rulemaking on testing of
terminal/tank piping, excluding them from the current rule. One
commenter suggested that leak detection and a volumetric system should
be used as a direct substitute for a pressure test.
API also suggested developing a testing/monitoring protocol for
evaluating piping within terminals and tank farms that would provide
equivalent levels of safety for those facilities. Given the great
variety of conditions that exist in terminals and tank farms and the
benefits of identifying alternative ways of addressing pipeline risks,
development of such a protocol has merit. RSPA will work cooperatively
with API on its protocol. RSPA anticipates using the protocol in our
evaluation of the pressure testing requirement for terminals and tank
farm piping.
Compliance dates for the 1994 rule requiring pressure testing had
been extended to allow completion of rulemaking to allow a risk-based
alternative to pressure testing. [62 FR 54591]. That rulemaking, which
did not address alternatives for terminal and tank farm piping, has
just been published. [63 FR 59475; November 4, 1998]. Absent some
agency action, operators of older terminals and tank farms would have
to complete the pressure testing requirements for piping in their
terminals prior to RSPA's reconsideration of these requirements. In
order to preserve the status quo, RSPA will not enforce the pressure
testing requirements with respect to older piping located in terminals
or tank farms that are designed and operated so that they do not
experience stress levels of 20 percent or greater.
Issued in Washington, DC on November 5, 1998.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 98-30210 Filed 11-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
