Page 52 - Pipeline Pigging Technology

US Government safety regulation

(0 Leak detection - require that operators have some type of leak
detection capability to detect and locate leaks in a reasonable length
of time and shut the system down with minimum loss of product.

(g) Pipeline safety policy - require that OPS establish a policy develop-
ment group within its office.

As you can see, the Congress is becoming more involved in pipeline safety
matters and will be issuing more mandates for specific regulatory require-
ments.

DOT/OPS REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

The DOT/OPS continues to address pipeline safety problems in its regula-
tory activities. Their latest regulatory agenda, published on 29th October,
1990, contained 18 rulemaking items. Of these, there are eight that I consider
will have an impact on the activities of this group. A summary and the status
of each are as follows:

OPS Regulatory Agenda: Proposed Rule stage

1. Hydrostatic testing of certain hazardous liquid pipelines (49
CFR 195)

SUMMARY: This rule would extend the requirement to operate all hazard-
ous liquid pipelines to not more than 80% of a prior test or operating pressure.
This proposal is based on the fact that significant results have been achieved
by imposing such operating restrictions on pipelines that carry highly-volatile
liquids. This rule making is significant, because of substantial public interest.
STATUS: NPRM issued 1/01/91

2. Gas-gathering line definition (49 CFR 192.3)

SUMMARY: The existing definition of "gathering line" would be clearly
defined to eliminate confusion in distinguishing these pipelines from trans-

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