Page 54 - Pipeline Pigging Technology

US Government safety regulation

6. Transportation of a hazardous liquid at 20% or less of specified
minimum yield strength (49 CFR195)

SUMMARY: This rulemaking action would assess the need to extend the
Federal safety standards to cover these lower stress level pipelines (except
gathering lines), and if warranted, apply the standards to those pipelines.
STATUS: ANPRM issued 10/31/90

7. Burial of offshore pipelines (49 CFR 192; 49 CFR 195)

SUMMARY: This rulemaking will propose that operators remove aban-
doned lines in water less than 15ft deep, bury pipelines at least 3ft deep in
water up to 15ft deep, and monitor the depth of buried pipelines in water less
than 15ft deep.
STATUS: NPRM to be issued 4/00/91

OPS Regulatory Agenda: Final Rule stage

8. Determining the extent of corrosion on exposed gas pipelines
(49 CFR 192)

SUMMARY: This action proposed that when gas pipelines are exposed for
any reason, and they have evidence of harmful corrosion, that it be investi-
gated to determine the extent of the corrosion.
STATUS: NPRM issued 9/25/89
Final Action by early 1991.

There are two other major issues that were required by the Reauthorization
Act of 1988 to be addressed by OPS: the internal inspections of pipelines, and
emergency flow-restricting devices. The studies required have been com-
pleted, but as of this writing have not been provided to Congress. The Internal
Inspection Report was due to Congress in April of 1990 and the Emergency
Flow Restriction Device was due on 31st October, 1989.

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