New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Chapter 1F - UNDERGROUND STORAGE CAVERNS › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 7:1F-1.6 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"Abandoned well" has the same meaning as the term "abandoned well" as defined in the Well Construction and Maintenance rules at N.J.A.C. 7:9D-1.5.
"Act" means N.J.S.A. 58:10-35.1 et seq.
"Borehole" means a hole made by driving, jetting, coring, drilling, use of an auger, or other means into the ground for the purpose of constructing a shaft or well pursuant to this chapter.
"Casing" means a pipe or tubing installed into a borehole during or after drilling to support the sides of the hole and prevent caving or the entrance of water, gas, or other fluid into the hole.
"Checklist" means a systematic study of updated engineering design drawings that describe the cavern system, taking into consideration process chemistry, standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, operator job descriptions, and other documents. The study uses a written list of items to verify the status of a cavern system. Checklists are created by organizing information from current relevant codes, standards, regulations, and good engineering practice documents. The checklist is completed with "yes," "no," "not applicable," or "needs more information" answers to the questions. Results of the study are reported on a table as follows: each checklist item and its corresponding consequence/hazard, the criticality based on the quantity or rate of the potential release, existing safeguards in place, and the recommended action in terms of equipment or procedure to mitigate the consequence/hazard.
"Construction" means the drilling, boring, driving, digging, or otherwise conducting of any operation for the purpose of obtaining access to a pocket or other underground area to establish a new underground storage cavern as part of an underground storage cavern system, in addition to, installing the infrastructure needed to operate the system.
"Corrosion control" means the prevention of the deterioration of any component of an underground storage cavern system by direct or electrochemical reaction with its environment.
"Decommission" means the complete withdrawal of any regulated substance, to the greatest feasible extent, from an underground storage cavern system, the sealing and/or removal of the system's ancillary equipment, and the cessation of operation at the underground storage cavern system.
"Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection.
"Dormancy" means a period during which a permitted regulated substance is withdrawn and an underground storage cavern system is temporarily empty with the intent to inject and store the permitted regulated substance in the future.
"Environmental and Health Impact Statement" or "EHIS" means a statement as to the realistically identifiable, probable impact of the underground storage cavern system upon the geology, soils, hydrology, air quality, ecology, land use, socioeconomic factors, aesthetics, history, and archeology of the site upon which construction of the system is contemplated; a listing of adverse environmental impacts that cannot be avoided; a description of the steps to be taken to minimize adverse environmental impacts during construction and operation of the system, both at the project site and in the surrounding region; and a reference list of pertinent published information relating to the project, the project site, and the surrounding region.
"Environmental assessment" means an evaluation of the positive and negative changes to the environmental conditions at and around a particular site that may result from the implementation of a proposed action. Included in an "environmental assessment" is a determination of the magnitude of the potential changes and, where applicable, the identification of recommended mitigative measures to be incorporated.
"Environmental inventory" means a detailed and comprehensive description of the condition of all environmental parameters, prescribed at N.J.A.C. 7:1F-2.4(b), as they exist at and around the site of a proposed action prior to implementation of the proposed action. This description is used as a baseline for assessing the environmental impacts of a proposed action.
"Facility" means one or more underground storage cavern system(s) owned or operated by one person on a single property site or on contiguous property sites.
"Failure Mode and Effects Analysis" or "FMEA" means a specifically designed method to identify the conceivable ways that equipment, or its components, can fail and the effect of the failure on the cavern system with respect to a release of the regulated substance. The failure and effects are determined in a study of updated engineering design drawings that describe the cavern system taking into consideration chemistry, standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, operator job descriptions, and other documents. The resulting qualitative analysis are translated into a quantitative FMEA in which probabilities of the failure of components are assigned. The results of the FMEA for each equipment or component of the system are reported for the cavern system on an FMEA table for each equipment item or component studied as follows: the identification number of the item, the name of the item, entries of failure modes of the item, and for each entry of failure mode, the other equipment potentially affected with the equipment identification number and the effect of the failure on that equipment, a classification of the criticality ranking of the failure based on quantity or rate of the potential release, the probability of the failure and the suggested action in terms of equipment or procedure to prevent the failure or to mitigate the results of the failure.
"Fault Tree Analysis" or "FTA" means an analysis of the logic diagram constructed from a study of the updated engineering design drawings describing the system taking into consideration chemistry of the regulated substance, standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, operator job descriptions, and other documents. The logic diagram contains the conceivable human or mechanical event sequences that could result in a release. The logic diagram represents a qualitative analysis of the hazards. Results of the FTA are reported for the cavern system on a table that includes the descriptions of the various combinations of equipment or procedural failures that can lead to a release of the regulated substance. The combinations are determined by solving the fault tree logic diagram to identify the minimal cut sets, that is, the smallest combination of equipment or procedural failures, which, if all occur, will result in the "top event," or the substance release. The table includes a criticality ranking based on the quantity or rate of the potential substance release, a probability for the respective failures, and the suggested action in terms of equipment or procedure to prevent the failure or to mitigate the results of the failure. Probabilities are assigned to each element of the event sequence to obtain a quantitative fault tree that gives the probability or frequency of occurrence of the release.
"Feasibility study" means a study conducted to assess the suitability of a site for the construction and operation of an underground storage cavern system based upon the site's geology, hydrogeology, above- and below-ground formations or structures, and the regulated substance to be stored at the system.
"Financial responsibility assurance" means the assurance, through one or more allowable mechanisms pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2, of the availability of funds necessary for the decommissioning, maintenance, and monitoring of the underground storage cavern system.
"First emergency shutdown valve" or "First ESV" means the first actuated valve located on any penetration shaft that is used to inject into, or withdraw the regulated substance from, a cavern, where that valve is located downstream from the wellhead and prevents an uncontrolled release.
"Hazard and Operability Study" or "HAZOP" means a systematic study of updated engineering design drawings that describe the cavern system taking into consideration process chemistry, standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, operator job descriptions, and other documents. The study is performed by a multi-disciplinary team to identify hazard or operability problems that would result in an accident. Deviations from the design value of key parameters (flow, temperature, composition, time, quantity, etc.) of each segment of the covered process and its procedures are studied using guide words (such as, more of, less of, none of, part of, more than, and other) to control the examination and evaluation. Results of the HAZOP study are reported by tabulation for a unit by key equipment and process parameters. The results are entered on the table as follows: guide word, causes of the deviation, consequences of the deviation in terms of a potential substance release, the criticality based on the quantity or rate of potential release, and the suggested action in terms of equipment or procedure to mitigate the deviation.
"Liquefied natural gas" or "LNG" means methane with small amounts of hydrocarbons, water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and some sulfur compounds that have been cooled to minus 259 degrees Fahrenheit and is in a liquid state.
"Liquefied petroleum gas" or "LPG" means any material in liquid form that is composed predominantly of any of the following hydrocarbons or a mixture thereof: propane, propylene, butanes (normal butane or isobutane), and butylenes.
"Major modification" means a change to the regulated substance, or a change to the underground storage cavern system that affects the maximum and/or minimum operating temperatures and/or pressures.
"Maximum allowable operating pressure" or "MAOP" means the maximum pressure of the regulated substance at which an underground storage cavern system is capable of maintaining its mechanical integrity. The maximum allowable operating pressure of any system is the test pressure minus the safety margin.
"Maximum design pressure" or "MDP" means the highest pressure at which a pressure test of the cavern may be conducted to verify the integrity of the cavern system. The MDP is the minimum calculated hydrostatic pressure at the highest point of the cavern, in pounds per square inch gauge (psig), minus 29 psig.
"Maximum design temperature" means the maximum temperature of the regulated substance at which an underground storage cavern system is capable of maintaining its mechanical integrity.
"Maximum operating pressure" means the maximum pressure of the regulated substance that is expected during operation. The maximum operating pressure must be less than the MAOP.
"Maximum operating temperature" means the maximum temperature of the regulated substance that is expected during operation.
"Mechanical integrity" means the structural stability of an underground storage cavern system under maximum allowable operating pressure based on the geological characteristics of the cavern, the equipment specifications of any storage well, wellhead, pipe, line, tube, and instrumentation up to, and including, the first emergency shutdown valve at the system, and the properties of the regulated substance stored in the cavern.
"Mechanical integrity test" means the procedure by which the selected test pressure is used to determine if a system is capable of storing a regulated substance under the system's maximum allowable operating pressure without compromising the system's structural stability.
"Minimum design pressure" means the minimum pressure of the regulated substance at which an underground storage cavern system is capable of maintaining its mechanical integrity.
"Minimum design temperature" means the minimum temperature of the regulated substance at which an underground storage cavern system is capable of maintaining its mechanical integrity.
"Minimum operating pressure" means the minimum pressure of the regulated substance that is expected during operation.
"Minimum operating temperature" means the minimum temperature of the regulated substance that is expected during operation.
"Minor modification" means any change to the design or construction of an underground storage cavern system or change in the method of operation of the system that affects storage, injection, or withdrawal activities that is not a major modification.
"Modify" or "modification" means any change to the design or construction of an underground storage cavern system or change in the method of operation of the system that affects storage, injection, or withdrawal activities. A modification does not include repairs or maintenance.
"Monitoring well" means a borehole used to observe the elevation of the water table or potentiometric surface, or to measure water quality.
"Natural or artificial gas" or "gas" means any substance, whether naturally occurring or synthetic, that exists in a gaseous state at standard temperature and pressure, or 32 degrees Fahrenheit and atmospheric pressure.
"Operation" or "operate" means any ongoing injection, withdrawal, or storage at an underground storage cavern system.
"Operator" means any person who leases, operates, controls, supervises, or has responsibility for, the daily operation of an underground storage cavern system, and each person who has the authority to operate, control, or supervise the daily operation of a system. There may be more than one operator of a system.
"Owner" means any person who owns a facility, or any person who has a legal or equitable title to a site containing a facility.
"Permit" means the approval issued by the Department pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:1F-4 to construct and operate an underground storage cavern system.
"Person" means any individual or entity, including, without limitation, a public or private corporation, company, estate, association, society, business firm, partnership, joint stock company, foreign individual or entity, interstate agency, or authority, the United States and any of its political subdivisions, the State of New Jersey, or any of its political subdivisions, or any other meanings that apply to the common understanding of the term. "Person" shall, for the purpose of enforcement, also include a responsible corporate official, including a managing member of a limited liability company or a general partner of a partnership.
"Petroleum product and its derivative" means any substance that is a complex mixture, whether natural or synthetic, of different hydrocarbons with small amounts of other substances, such as compounds of oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen, or metallic compounds, or any of the products obtained by refining processes, such as fractional distillation, cracking, catalytic reforming, alkylation, or polymerization. This term includes, but is not limited to, methane, ethane, propane, butane, gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, synthetic oil, crude oil, and liquified petroleum gas or LPG. For purposes of this chapter, this definition does not include liquefied natural gas.
"Process hazard analysis" means a systematic study of engineering and design drawings and documents, standard operating procedures, and maintenance procedures conducted by an owner and operator to analyze and determine potential release scenarios, incorporated safeguards, and additional recommended risk reduction measures.
"Regulated substance" or "substance" means a gas or a petroleum product and its derivative injected, withdrawn, stored, or proposed to be injected, withdrawn, or stored at an underground storage cavern system. For purposes of this chapter, this definition does not include liquefied natural gas.
"Release" means a discharge or emission of a regulated substance from an underground storage cavern system, excluding any discharge or emission occurring pursuant to, and in compliance with, any Department permit or regulation.
"Repair" or "maintain" means the upkeep of an underground storage cavern system, including the replacement of parts to ensure continued operation, in accordance with the design specifications of the system.
"Safety margin" means the pressure value that is equal to 10 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) or 10 percent of the test pressure, whichever is greater. The safety margin value is used to determine the maximum allowable operating pressure of an underground storage cavern system.
"Shaft" means any borehole used to access an underground storage cavern, including the excavation or the support of the excavation of the cavern. This term refers to any borehole used for the purposes of removing excavated materials, access for personnel and supplies, or ventilation.
"Site" means the contiguous piece of property at which a facility is located.
"Storage well" means the borehole that connects the underground storage cavern to the surface and is used to inject or withdraw a regulated substance.
"Surface footprint" means the area of land at a site that is located directly above an underground storage cavern.
"Test pressure" is the pressure value in pounds per square inch gauge (psig) selected to be used in a test to verify the integrity of the cavern system. The test pressure must be less than or equal to the maximum design pressure.
"Underground storage cavern" or "cavern" means a pocket or other underground area or place in any underground stratum excavated and used for the purpose of storing a regulated substance, or a natural geologic trap of any kind used for the purpose of storing a regulated substance.
"Underground storage cavern system" or "system" means an underground storage cavern and associated ancillary equipment including, but not limited to, wells, wellheads, pipes, lines, tubes, and instrumentation that are used for operation of the system up to and including the first emergency shutdown valve, any associated, adjacent maintenance valves, and the pressure relief valve(s) installed to protect the cavern from over pressurization.
"Well" means any abandoned, exploratory, monitoring, or storage well pursuant to this chapter, or any well that is regulated pursuant to the Well Construction and Maintenance rules at N.J.A.C. 7:9D.
"Wellhead protection area" means an aquifer area around a well, from within which ground water flows to the well and through which ground water pollution, if it occurs, may pose a significant threat to the water quality of the well. The wellhead protection area is delimited by the use of time-of-travel and hydrologic boundaries.
"What-If Analysis" means a systematic study of updated engineering design drawings that describe the cavern system taking into consideration process chemistry, standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, operator job descriptions, and other documents. The study is a brainstorming approach in which team members familiar with the subject process ask questions or voice concerns about possible undesired events. The What-If Analysis identifies hazards, hazardous situations, or specific accident events that could produce an undesirable consequence. The concerns (often phrased in the form of "what if" questions) are formulated based on experience and applied to existing drawings and process descriptions for the cavern system. Results of the study are reported on a table as follows: the "what if" question and its corresponding consequence/hazard, the criticality based on the quantity or rate of the potential release, existing safeguards in place, and the recommended action in terms of equipment or procedure to mitigate the consequence/hazard.
"What-If/Checklist study" means a systematic study of updated engineering design drawings that describe the cavern system taking into consideration process chemistry, standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, operator job descriptions, and other documents. The What-If/Checklist study is a combination of the What-If and Checklist methods which uses a written list of questions to verify the status of a cavern system that are created by organizing information from current relevant codes, standards, and regulations, and team members familiar with the subject process ask questions or voice concerns about possible undesired events. Results of the study are reported for the cavern system on a table as follows: each "What if/Checklist" item and/or question and its corresponding consequence and/or hazard, the criticality based on the quantity or rate of the potential release, and the recommended action in terms of equipment or procedure to mitigate the consequence/hazard.