New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 16 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE › Chapter III - GAS UTILITIES › Subchapter C - Safety › Part 255 - Transmission And Distribution Of Gas › Transmission Pipeline Integrity Management › Section 255.933 - Addressing integrity issues

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a)
					 General requirements. An operator must take prompt action to address all
					 anomalous conditions that the operator discovers through the integrity
					 assessment. In addressing all conditions, an operator must evaluate all
					 anomalous conditions and remediate those that could reduce a pipeline's
					 integrity. An operator must be able to demonstrate that the remediation of the
					 condition will ensure that the condition is unlikely to pose a threat to the
					 integrity of the pipeline until the next reassessment of the covered segment.
					 If an operator is unable to respond within the time limits for certain
					 conditions specified in this section, the operator must temporarily reduce the
					 operating pressure of the pipeline or take other action that ensures the safety
					 of the covered segment. If pressure is reduced, an operator must determine the
					 temporary reduction in operating pressure using ASME/ANSI B31G (as described in
					 section
					 10.3 
					 of this Title) or AGA Pipeline Research Committee Project PR-3- 805 ("RSTRENG";
					 as described in section
					 10.3 
					 of this Title) or reduce the operating pressure to a level not exceeding 80
					 percent of the level at the time the condition was discovered. A reduction in
					 operating pressure cannot exceed 365 days without an operator providing a
					 technical justification that the continued pressure restriction will not
					 jeopardize the integrity of the pipeline.
(b) Discovery of condition. Discovery of a
					 condition occurs when an operator has adequate information about a condition to
					 determine that the condition presents a potential threat to the integrity of
					 the pipeline. A condition that presents a potential threat includes, but is not
					 limited to, those conditions that require remediation or monitoring listed
					 under paragraphs (d)(1) through (3) of this section. An operator must promptly,
					 but no later than 180 days after conducting an integrity assessment, obtain
					 sufficient information about a condition to make that determination, unless the
					 operator demonstrates that the 180-day period is impracticable.
(c) Schedule for evaluation and remediation.
					 An operator must complete remediation of a condition according to a schedule
					 that prioritizes the conditions for evaluation and remediation. Unless a
					 special requirement for remediating certain conditions applies, as provided in
					 subdivision (d) of this section, an operator must follow the schedule in
					 ASME/ANSI B31.8S (as described in section
					 10.3 
					 of this Title), section 7, Figure 4. If an operator cannot meet the schedule
					 for any condition, the operator must justify the reasons why it cannot meet the
					 schedule and that the changed schedule will not jeopardize public safety. An
					 operator must notify the department and OPS in accordance with section
					 255.949 
					 of this Part if it cannot meet the schedule and cannot provide safety through a
					 temporary reduction in operating pressure or other action.
(d) Special requirements for scheduling
					 remediation.
(1) Immediate repair conditions.
					 An operator's evaluation and remediation schedule must follow ASME/ANSI B31.8S,
					 section 7 in providing for immediate repair conditions. To maintain safety, an
					 operator must temporarily reduce operating pressure in accordance with
					 subdivision (a) of this section or shut down the pipeline until the operator
					 completes the repair of these conditions. An operator must treat the following
					 conditions as immediate repair conditions:
(i)
					 a calculation of the remaining strength of the pipe shows a predicted failure
					 pressure less than or equal to 1.1 times the maximum allowable operating
					 pressure at the location of the anomaly. Suitable remaining strength
					 calculation methods include, ASME/ANSI B31G; RSTRENG; or an alternative
					 equivalent method of remaining strength calculation. These documents are
					 incorporated by reference and available at the addresses listed in section
					 10.3 
					 of this Title;
(ii) a dent that has
					 any indication of metal loss, cracking or a stress riser;
(iii) an indication or anomaly that in the
					 judgment of the person designated by the operator to evaluate the assessment
					 results requires immediate action.