Source: https://viadata.wordpress.com/2016/06/21/part-195-gathering-lines/
Timestamp: 2017-11-20 09:35:40
Document Index: 727286025

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 195', 'art 195', 'art 195', 'art 195', '§ 195', '§ 195', '§ 195', '§ 195', 'art 195']

Part 195 Gathering Lines – The WinDOT Report
Part 195 Gathering Lines
Part 195 has several criteria used to determine if a gathering line is regulated or not. Pipe diameter, distance from an unusually sensitive area, and pressure are all factors in making the determination.
Additionally, low stress pipelines have differing requirements depending on size and proximity to unusually sensitive areas.
The following interpretation discusses a multi-diameter pipeline, its pressures and how these regulations would apply.
Interpretation 195.12 2
Mr. Scott Bliss
In a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) dated August 8, 2014, you requested an interpretation on your Fourbear Gathering Pipeline System located in Park County, Wyoming and the applicability of 49 CFR Part 195 to this pipeline system. The system transports crude oil from production fields in Park County to the Oregon Basin Station where it enters a pipeline system operated by Marathon. You provided an Applicability Study detailing system specifications and operations.
You described the Fourbear Gathering Pipeline System as a low-stress system operating below 20 percent specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) and located in a rural area. You stated that the Fourbear Gathering Pipeline System is unique in design—telescoping from 6-inch to 8-inch, then 10-inch pipe as it travels between pumps. In addition, while the 6-inch and 8-inch segments of the pipeline are within a quarter mile of an unusually sensitive area (USA), the 10-inch segments of the pipeline system are not within a half mile of a USA. Therefore, you believe that the 6-inch and 8-inch segments of the system are rural, non-regulated gathering and the 10-inch segments of the pipeline are Category 3 low-stress pipeline.
Section 195.1(b)(4) states:
195.1 Which pipelines are covered by this Part?
(b) Excepted. This Part does not apply to any of the following:
Section 195.11(a) states:
195.11 What is a regulated rural gathering line and what requirements apply?
(1) Has a nominal diameter from 6⅝ inches (168 mm) to 8⅝ inches (219.1 mm);
(2) Is located in or within one-quarter mile (.40 km) of an unusually sensitive area as defined in § 195.6; and
Also, for low stress pipelines § 195.12 states:
195.12 What requirements apply to low-stress pipelines in rural areas?
(a) General. This Section sets forth the requirements for each category of low-stress pipeline in a rural area set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section. This Section does not apply to a rural low-stress pipeline regulated under this Part as a low-stress pipeline that crosses a waterway currently used for commercial navigation; these pipelines are regulated pursuant to § 195.1(a)(2).
(b) Categories. An operator of a rural low-stress pipeline must meet the applicable requirements and compliance deadlines for the category of pipeline set forth in paragraph (c) of this Section. For purposes of this Section, a rural low-stress pipeline is a Category 1, 2, or 3 pipeline based on the following criteria:
(i) Has a nominal diameter of 8⅝ inches (219.1 mm) or more;
(i) Has a nominal diameter of less than 8⅝ inches (219.1mm);
Based on the information you provided, it appears that you have correctly classified the 10-inch diameter portion of the Fourbear Gathering Pipeline System as a regulated low-stress Category 3 pipeline in accordance with § 195.12(b)(3). With respect to the 6-inch and 8-inch portions of the system, if they continue to meet all other criteria for classification as unregulated gathering lines, they can remain classified as unregulated gathering lines.[1] With respect to any line segment that has a diameter change in between pumps, while you would have the option of treating the 6-inch and/or 8-inch portion of that segment as unregulated, we would note that many requirements that would apply to the 10-inch portion, such as cathodic protection, may protect the entire segment and many operators treat an entire line segment running between pump stations as regulated for various purposes including mapping and incident reporting if any portion of the segment is regulated.
If we can be of further assistance, please contact Tewabe Asebe of my staff at 202-366-5523.
TAsebe:jmd: 64046:03-17-15
Edits:LWhite: 03-25-15 and 03-31-15
cc: PHP-30:OfficialFile:Sharepoint:Website
T:PHP-30:Interps: Open:Legacy-PI-14-0015-09-09-2014-Part 195.0
[1] Nothing in this interpretation letter is intended to express any views about any other representations or conclusions in the August 8, 2014, Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Applicability Study provided with your request.
DMS ID# PI-14-0015
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Author viadataPosted on June 21, 2016 Categories The Daily Interpretation
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