[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27227]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 3, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
Pipeline Safety Advisory Bulletin ADB-94-05; Pipelines Affected
by Flooding
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Advisory to each owner or operator of a hazardous liquid or
natural gas transmission pipeline operating in areas that may be
subject to severe flooding.
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SUMMARY: This advisory is for all operators of pipelines which may be
affected by flooding. It provides observations from RSPA, Texas
Railroad Commission (TRC), and other federal and state agencies as a
result of the recent floods near Houston. This advisory also includes
actions that operators should consider taking to assure the integrity
of pipelines in case of flooding.
Background
As the result of unprecedented flooding of rivers and streams in
the Houston area, seven natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines
failed in or near the San Jacinto River over the three day period
October 19-21, 1994. These failures included: an Exxon 8-inch diameter
LPG line; an Exxon 8-inch diameter fuel line; an Exxon 20-inch diameter
hazardous liquid line; a Colonial 40-inch diameter products (gasoline)
line; a Colonial 36-inch diameter products (heating oil) line; a Texaco
20-inch diameter crude oil line; and a Valero 12-inch diameter natural
gas line. While no determination of cause of failure has been made for
any of these lines, RSPA and the TRC believe that the extreme flooding
by the San Jacinto River was probably a substantial contributing factor
in each of the failures.
The damage to pipelines caused by the flood may have resulted
either from the extreme force of the flowing water, as the San Jacinto
carved new temporary channels, or from pipelines being struck by heavy
debris that was reported as having flowed down river at the height of
the flooding. Because RSPA and the TRC cannot at this time determine
the exact effects of the flooding, operators should consider the
potential effects of flooding as posing a possible threat to the
integrity of their lines.
Advisory
As the result of seven natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline
flood-related failures in or near the San Jacinto River in Texas on
October 19-21, 1994, operators should consider the actions recommended
in this Advisory Bulletin for application to pipelines located in any
area of the United States subject to widespread flooding.
RSPA pipeline safety regulations in 49 CFR 192.613 for natural gas
pipelines, and 49 CFR 195.401 for hazardous liquid pipelines, require
an operator to maintain continuing surveillance of its facilities and
to correct damage to its pipeline that could affect the safe operation
of the pipeline (such as damage that may result from extreme flood
conditions). If the operator of a natural gas pipeline determines that
the pipeline is in unsatisfactory condition and no immediate hazard
exists, the operator must recondition or phase out the segment
involved, or reduce the maximum allowable operating pressure. For
hazardous liquid pipelines, if the condition presents an immediate
hazard to persons or property, the operator may not operate the
affected part of the system until the unsafe condition is corrected. In
summary, if the operator has reason to believe that flooding has
adversely affected, or will adversely affect, its pipeline, the
operator must take corrective or preventative action.
In addition, operators must consider the application of RSPA's
reporting requirements in 49 CFR Part 191, and subpart B of 49 CFR Part
195, as well as applicable state requirements, that require operators
to submit telephonic and written reports when natural gas or hazardous
liquids are released causing damages meeting the reporting thresholds.
Finally, RSPA regulations also require operators to submit reports of
safety-related conditions involving potentially unsafe conditions on
natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines (49 CFR 191.23 and 191.25,
and 49 CFR 195.55 and 195.56).
Operators need to direct their resources in a manner that will
enable them to determine the potential effects of the flooding on their
systems, and take the following actions as appropriate:
Deploy personnel so that they will be in position to take
emergency actions, such as shut down, isolation, or containment.
Extend regulator vents and relief stacks above the level
of anticipated flooding, as appropriate.
Evaluate the accessibility of pipeline facilities that may
be in jeopardy, such as valve settings, needed to isolate water
crossings or other sections of a pipeline.
Perform frequent patrols, including overflights as
appropriate, 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.
Coordinate with emergency and spill responders on pipeline
location and condition, and provide maps and other relevant information
to them.
Coordinate with other pipeline operators in the flood area
and establish emergency response centers to act as liaison for pipeline
problems and solutions.
Determine if facilities which 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 may be marked with an appropriate buoy with Coast Guard
approval.
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
landowners. Agricultural agencies may help to inform farmers of the
potential hazard from reduced cover over pipelines.
Assure that line markers are still in place or are
replaced in a timely manner, and 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 operator has suffered damage to its line, or has shut
in the line, or has operated at a reduced pressure as a precautionary
measure during the flood, the operator should advise the State Pipeline
Safety Office (for intrastate lines), or RSPA's Regional Pipeline
Safety Office (interstate lines) prior to returning the line to
service, on increasing the operating pressure, or otherwise changing
the operating status of the line. The State Safety Division or the RSPA
Regional Pipeline Safety Office, as appropriate, will advise on a case-
by-case basis whether, and under what conditions, a line can safely be
returned to full service.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on October 28, 1994.
George W. Tenley, Jr.,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 94-27227; Filed 11-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
