Pipeline Safety: Grant of Waiver; Columbia Gas Transmission, 10474-10475 [05-4121]
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10474
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 41 / Thursday, March 3, 2005 / Notices
[FR Doc. 05–4155 Filed 3–2–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–60–M
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
[Docket No. RSPA–04–18757; Notice 2]
Pipeline Safety: Grant of Waiver;
Columbia Gas Transmission
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; grant of waiver.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Office of Pipeline Safety
(OPS) is granting Columbia Gas
Transmission’s (Columbia) petition for a
waiver of the pipeline safety regulations
to install fiberglass reinforced
polyethylene pipe in its high pressure
natural gas storage field operations.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Columbia has petitioned OPS for a
waiver from compliance with 49 CFR
192.53(c), 192.121, 192.123, and
192.619(a) to allow for installation and
operation of fiberglass reinforced
polyethylene pipe in its high pressure
natural gas storage field operations.
Columbia is proposing to install
approximately 4,200 feet of 4-inch
Fiber spooled, non-metallic composite
line pipe in its Dundee Storage Field.
On September 8, 2004, OPS published
a notice in the Federal Register
requesting public comment on
Columbia’s waiver request (69 FR
054345). The cities of Charlottesville
and Richmond, Virginia (jointly referred
to as ‘‘Cities’’) submitted several
comments in response to the Notice.
As Columbia customers, the Cities are
concerned that granting this waiver may
diminish Columbia’s ability to provide
reliable firm storage and natural gas
transportation service. The Cities
contends that if Columbia’s ability is
diminished, then, the Cities reliability
to deliver natural gas to its customers
may be diminished as well.
The following are the Cities
comments regarding Columbia’s petition
for waiver:
(1) Fiberspar’s fiberglass reinforced
polyethylene plastic pipe has no track
record thus it is difficult to determine
whether or not the proposed material is
reliable over the long term.
This waiver requires Columbia to
schedule five inspections to perform
both non-destructive and destructive
testing on this pipe material after
installation. The inspections and tests
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:38 Mar 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
will be performed 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10
years after installation. This waiver
requires Columbia to remove a
minimum ten foot pipe segment for
inspection during each inspection; nondestructive testing will focus on the
composition and degradation of the pipe
material and destructive testing will be
a hydrotest to burst pressure.
(2) The Cities commented that the
Fiber pipe material has not been tested
by an independent research authority.
Columbia and Fibers have been
engaged in meetings and discussion
regarding the research involved in the
development of this pipe material. OPS
is aware that Fiber has not had this
pipe material tested and rated before the
American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM)—an independent
research authority recognized by OPS—
OPS also believes that vendors like
Fiberspar’s should submit their
product(s) for proper testing and
development and meet ASTM
standards. For this reason and as a
condition of this waiver, OPS will limit
Columbia’s use of this pipe material to
five years unless Fiberrdquo; submits
this pipe material to ASTM for testing
and have this material listed as an
acceptable material meeting ASTM
requirement for new materials and have
a listing with the plastics pipe institute
(PPI) within five years of the pipe’s
original installation. If Fiberrdquo;
fails to submit this pipe material to
ASTM for testing, Columbia will be
required to discontinue use of this pipe
material at the end of the 5th year
following installation and conform to
the regulatory requirements of 49 CFR
§§ 192.53(c), 192.121, 192.123, and
192.619(a). If it is determined that the
commodity transported in this pipeline
is not compatible with, and proves
detrimental to, this pipe material, OPS
reserves the right, as a condition of this
waiver, to curtail or discontinue the use
of this pipe material.
(3)The Cities commented that it will
be unable to deliver firm storage service
to its customers if Columbia determines
this pipe material to be unreliable.
Columbia’s responsibility to provide
reliable gas service to its customers is
not diminished by this waiver or its use
of this pipe material. By issuing this
waiver, OPS believes Columbia will
continue to provide reliable service to
its customers. If it is determined that the
commodity transported in this pipeline
is not compatible with, and proves
detrimental to, this pipe material, OPS
reserves the right, as a condition of this
waiver, to curtail or discontinue the use
of this pipe material.
(4) The Cities commented that the
0.67 service (design) factor contained in
PO 00000
Frm 00122
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
the design formula results in a lower
safety factor than the 0.32 design factor
contained in the design formula under
§ 192.121.
Columbia seeks approval to use the
following design formula from API
15HR:
Pr = Ss × Sf × (Ri2¥R02) / (R02 + Ri2)
Where:
Pr = Fiber Line Pipe Standard Pressure
Rating, psig
Ss = 95 percent Lower Confidence Limit
(LCL) of the Long-Term Hydrostatic
Strength (LTHS) @ 20 years per
ASTM D 2992, Procedure B, psig
Sf = 0.67 service (design) factor per API
15 HR.
R0 = radius of the pipe at the outside of
the minimum reinforced wall
thickness, inches
Ri = radius of the pipe at the inside of
the minimum reinforced wall
thickness, inches
Fiberspar uses a service factor in its
calculation of the Standard Pressure
Rating, Pr, which is 25% less than the
maximum service factor required by API
15HR. API 15HR requires a service
factor of 0.67. By using a service factor
which is 25% less, the result is an
increase in the long-term reliability of
this pipe material.
(5) The Cities commented that
Columbia’s choice to use plastic pipe
increases the risk of pipe damage by a
backhoe.
This waiver does not waive
Columbia’s responsibility to meet the
excavation requirements of the Federal
pipeline safety standards. Columbia is
required to have excavation procedures
in their Operations and Maintenance
manual and their personnel are
expected to be familiar with and follow
those procedures whenever construction
near the pipeline is being performed.
(6) The Cities commented that
Columbia did not specify how they
intend to comply with the requirements
of one-call notification.
Columbia is required to have a
damage prevention program in place
and documented in their Operations
and Maintenance manual. Columbia’s
personnel are expected to be familiar
with and follow that program whenever
events required them to do so. The
waiver does not relieve Columbia from
its responsibility to meet the one-call
notification requirements of the Federal
pipeline safety standards.
Grant of Waiver
Based on the above information, OPS
hereby grants Columbia’s request for
waiver from the requirements of 49 CFR
§§ 192.53(c), 192.121, 192.123, and
192.619(a). The waiver allows Columbia
E:\FR\FM\03MRN1.SGM
03MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 41 / Thursday, March 3, 2005 / Notices
to install and operate approximately
4,200 feet of four inch Fiberspar
fiberglass reinforced polyethylene
plastic pipe in its Dundee Storage Field
located in Schulyer County, New York.
As a condition of the grant of this
waiver, Columbia must—
• Apply this waiver only to piping
within its Dundee Storage Field;
• Apply this waiver in non High
Consequence Area(s);
• Apply this waiver in Class 1
location(s) only;
• Develop qualifications on joining
methods through Fiberspar installation
training courses and field training;
qualifications and joining methods must
be available to OPS Eastern Region upon
request;
• Apply this waiver to five storage
wells and six lines as stated in the
waiver request;
• Perform initial pipeline installation
with qualified Fiberspar personnel
present and overseeing the installation;
notify OPS Eastern Region of the date,
time, and location of initial installation
and provide opportunity for OPS
Eastern Region to witness installation;
• Schedule five inspections for 1, 2.5,
5, 7.5, and 10 years after installation;
remove a minimum ten foot pipe
segment for inspection and perform
both non-destructive and destructive
testing on the pipe material. Nondestructive testing shall focus on the
composition and degradation of the
fiberglass reinforced polyethylene
plastic pipe material and the destructive
testing shall be a hydrotest to burst
pressure. The results of the inspections
and tests must be available to OPS
Eastern Region upon request; and
• Submit Fiberspar fiberglass
reinforced polyethylene plastic pipe to
ASTM for testing. If Fiberspar fails to
submit this pipe material to ASTM for
testing and have this material listed as
an acceptable material meeting ASTM
requirement for new materials and have
a listing with the plastics pipe institute
(PPI) within five years of the pipe’s
original installation, Columbia must
discontinue use of this pipe material at
the end of the 5th year following initial
installation and comply with the
regulatory requirements of 49 CFR
§§ 192.53(c), 192.121, 192.123, and
192.619(a). If it is determined that the
commodity transported in this pipeline
is not compatible with, and proves
detrimental to, this pipe material, OPS
reserves the right, as a condition of this
waiver, to curtail or discontinue the use
of this pipe material.
If Columbia does not comply with any
of these requirements, or if
circumstances indicate that the waiver
compromises the safety of the pipeline,
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:38 Mar 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
people or property, OPS reserves the
right to terminate this waiver.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60118(c) and 49 CFR
1.53.
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 25,
2005.
Theodore L. Willke,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline
Safety.
[FR Doc. 05–4121 Filed 3–2–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–60–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
[Docket No. RSPA–05–20323; Notice 1]
Pipeline Safety: Petition for Waiver;
Northern Natural Gas Company
Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS),
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA), U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice; petition for waiver.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Northern Natural Gas
Company (NNG) petitioned the Office of
Pipeline Safety (OPS) for a waiver from
the requirements of 49 CFR
192.625(b)(3), Ordorization of gas. This
section requires that a transmission line
located in a Class 3 or Class 4 location
that transports a combustible gas in a
distribution line must contain a natural
odorant or be odorized so that the gas
is readily detectable by a person with a
normal sense of smell unless, in the case
of a lateral line which transports gas to
a distribution center, at least 50 percent
of the line is in a Class 1 or Class 2
location.
DATES: Persons interested in submitting
written comments on the waiver request
described in this Notice must do so by
April 4, 2005. Late filed comments will
be considered so far as practicable.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
comments by mailing or delivering an
original and two copies to the Dockets
Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Room PL–401, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590–0001. The Dockets Facility is
open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except on Federal
holidays when the facility is closed.
Alternatively, you may submit written
comments to the docket electronically at
the following Web address: https://
dms.dot.gov.
All written comments should identify
the docket and notice numbers stated in
the heading of this notice. Anyone who
wants confirmation of mailed comments
must include a self-addressed stamped
PO 00000
Frm 00123
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
10475
postcard. To file written comments
electronically, after logging on to
https://dms.dot.gov, click on ‘‘Comment/
Submissions.’’ You can also read
comments and other material in the
docket. General information about the
Federal pipeline safety program is
available at https://ops.dot.gov.
Anyone is able to search the
electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Reynolds by phone at 202–366–
2786, by fax at 202–366–4566, by mail
at DOT, PHMSA, OPS, 400 7th Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20590, or by email at james.reynolds@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The gas pipeline safety regulation at
49 CFR 192.625(b)(3) requires that a
transmission line located in a Class 3 or
Class 4 location that transports a
combustible gas in a distribution line
must contain a natural odorant or be
ordorized so that the gas is readily
detectable by a person with a normal
sense of smell unless, in the case of a
lateral line which transports gas to a
distribution center, at least 50 percent of
the line is in a Class 1 or Class 2
location.
NNG is requesting a waiver from the
regulatory requirements of
§ 192.625(b)(3) for three of its
transmission lines. The transmission
lines are located in, and transport
natural gas to, town border stations
(TBS) located in Ripley, Iowa;
LaCrescent, Minnesota; and LaCrosse,
Wisconsin.
Justification
NNG is requesting the waiver for the
following reasons:
• The integrity assessment of the
Rippey, Iowa, LaCrescent, Minnesota,
and LaCrosse, Wisconsin Branch Lines
show a low likelihood of failure. The
installation of odorization equipment in
the road right-of-way of the Rippey,
Iowa Branch Line would present a
safety hazard to the public and require
above ground piping. This would
increase the likelihood of outside force
damage to the Rippey, Iowa Branch
Line.
• The take-off for the LaCrescent,
Minnesota Branch Line is situated in a
wetland area in the flood plain of the
Mississippi River; installation of an
odorizer on this line could cause an
environmental impact to the river. In
E:\FR\FM\03MRN1.SGM
03MRN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 41 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10474-10475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4121]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. RSPA-04-18757; Notice 2]
Pipeline Safety: Grant of Waiver; Columbia Gas Transmission
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
DOT.
ACTION: Notice; grant of waiver.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is granting Columbia Gas
Transmission's (Columbia) petition for a waiver of the pipeline safety
regulations to install fiberglass reinforced polyethylene pipe in its
high pressure natural gas storage field operations.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Columbia has petitioned OPS for a waiver from compliance with 49
CFR 192.53(c), 192.121, 192.123, and 192.619(a) to allow for
installation and operation of fiberglass reinforced polyethylene pipe
in its high pressure natural gas storage field operations. Columbia is
proposing to install approximately 4,200 feet of 4-inch Fiber[supreg]
spooled, non-metallic composite line pipe in its Dundee Storage Field.
On September 8, 2004, OPS published a notice in the Federal
Register requesting public comment on Columbia's waiver request (69 FR
054345). The cities of Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia (jointly
referred to as ``Cities'') submitted several comments in response to
the Notice.
As Columbia customers, the Cities are concerned that granting this
waiver may diminish Columbia's ability to provide reliable firm storage
and natural gas transportation service. The Cities contends that if
Columbia's ability is diminished, then, the Cities reliability to
deliver natural gas to its customers may be diminished as well.
The following are the Cities comments regarding Columbia's petition
for waiver:
(1) Fiberspar's[supreg] fiberglass reinforced polyethylene plastic
pipe has no track record thus it is difficult to determine whether or
not the proposed material is reliable over the long term.
This waiver requires Columbia to schedule five inspections to
perform both non-destructive and destructive testing on this pipe
material after installation. The inspections and tests will be
performed 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 years after installation. This waiver
requires Columbia to remove a minimum ten foot pipe segment for
inspection during each inspection; non-destructive testing will focus
on the composition and degradation of the pipe material and destructive
testing will be a hydrotest to burst pressure.
(2) The Cities commented that the Fiber[supreg] pipe material has
not been tested by an independent research authority.
Columbia and Fibers[supreg] have been engaged in meetings and
discussion regarding the research involved in the development of this
pipe material. OPS is aware that Fiber[supreg] has not had this pipe
material tested and rated before the American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM)--an independent research authority recognized by OPS--
OPS also believes that vendors like Fiberspar's[supreg] should submit
their product(s) for proper testing and development and meet ASTM
standards. For this reason and as a condition of this waiver, OPS will
limit Columbia's use of this pipe material to five years unless
Fiber[reg]rdquo; submits this pipe material to ASTM for testing and
have this material listed as an acceptable material meeting ASTM
requirement for new materials and have a listing with the plastics pipe
institute (PPI) within five years of the pipe's original installation.
If Fiber[reg]rdquo; fails to submit this pipe material to ASTM for
testing, Columbia will be required to discontinue use of this pipe
material at the end of the 5th year following installation and conform
to the regulatory requirements of 49 CFR Sec. Sec. 192.53(c), 192.121,
192.123, and 192.619(a). If it is determined that the commodity
transported in this pipeline is not compatible with, and proves
detrimental to, this pipe material, OPS reserves the right, as a
condition of this waiver, to curtail or discontinue the use of this
pipe material.
(3)The Cities commented that it will be unable to deliver firm
storage service to its customers if Columbia determines this pipe
material to be unreliable.
Columbia's responsibility to provide reliable gas service to its
customers is not diminished by this waiver or its use of this pipe
material. By issuing this waiver, OPS believes Columbia will continue
to provide reliable service to its customers. If it is determined that
the commodity transported in this pipeline is not compatible with, and
proves detrimental to, this pipe material, OPS reserves the right, as a
condition of this waiver, to curtail or discontinue the use of this
pipe material.
(4) The Cities commented that the 0.67 service (design) factor
contained in the design formula results in a lower safety factor than
the 0.32 design factor contained in the design formula under Sec.
192.121.
Columbia seeks approval to use the following design formula from
API 15HR:
Pr = Ss x Sf x (Ri\2\-R0\2\) / (R0\2\
+ Ri\2\)
Where:
Pr = Fiber[supreg] Line Pipe Standard Pressure Rating, psig
Ss = 95 percent Lower Confidence Limit (LCL) of the Long-
Term Hydrostatic Strength (LTHS) @ 20 years per ASTM D 2992, Procedure
B, psig
Sf = 0.67 service (design) factor per API 15 HR.
R0 = radius of the pipe at the outside of the minimum
reinforced wall thickness, inches
Ri = radius of the pipe at the inside of the minimum
reinforced wall thickness, inches
Fiberspar[supreg] uses a service factor in its calculation of the
Standard Pressure Rating, Pr, which is 25% less than the
maximum service factor required by API 15HR. API 15HR requires a
service factor of 0.67. By using a service factor which is 25% less,
the result is an increase in the long-term reliability of this pipe
material.
(5) The Cities commented that Columbia's choice to use plastic pipe
increases the risk of pipe damage by a backhoe.
This waiver does not waive Columbia's responsibility to meet the
excavation requirements of the Federal pipeline safety standards.
Columbia is required to have excavation procedures in their Operations
and Maintenance manual and their personnel are expected to be familiar
with and follow those procedures whenever construction near the
pipeline is being performed.
(6) The Cities commented that Columbia did not specify how they
intend to comply with the requirements of one-call notification.
Columbia is required to have a damage prevention program in place
and documented in their Operations and Maintenance manual. Columbia's
personnel are expected to be familiar with and follow that program
whenever events required them to do so. The waiver does not relieve
Columbia from its responsibility to meet the one-call notification
requirements of the Federal pipeline safety standards.
Grant of Waiver
Based on the above information, OPS hereby grants Columbia's
request for waiver from the requirements of 49 CFR Sec. Sec.
192.53(c), 192.121, 192.123, and 192.619(a). The waiver allows Columbia
[[Page 10475]]
to install and operate approximately 4,200 feet of four inch
Fiberspar[supreg] fiberglass reinforced polyethylene plastic pipe in
its Dundee Storage Field located in Schulyer County, New York.
As a condition of the grant of this waiver, Columbia must--
Apply this waiver only to piping within its Dundee Storage
Field;
Apply this waiver in non High Consequence Area(s);
Apply this waiver in Class 1 location(s) only;
Develop qualifications on joining methods through
Fiberspar[supreg] installation training courses and field training;
qualifications and joining methods must be available to OPS Eastern
Region upon request;
Apply this waiver to five storage wells and six lines as
stated in the waiver request;
Perform initial pipeline installation with qualified
Fiberspar[supreg] personnel present and overseeing the installation;
notify OPS Eastern Region of the date, time, and location of initial
installation and provide opportunity for OPS Eastern Region to witness
installation;
Schedule five inspections for 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 years
after installation; remove a minimum ten foot pipe segment for
inspection and perform both non-destructive and destructive testing on
the pipe material. Non-destructive testing shall focus on the
composition and degradation of the fiberglass reinforced polyethylene
plastic pipe material and the destructive testing shall be a hydrotest
to burst pressure. The results of the inspections and tests must be
available to OPS Eastern Region upon request; and
Submit Fiberspar[supreg] fiberglass reinforced
polyethylene plastic pipe to ASTM for testing. If Fiberspar[reg] fails
to submit this pipe material to ASTM for testing and have this material
listed as an acceptable material meeting ASTM requirement for new
materials and have a listing with the plastics pipe institute (PPI)
within five years of the pipe's original installation, Columbia must
discontinue use of this pipe material at the end of the 5th year
following initial installation and comply with the regulatory
requirements of 49 CFR Sec. Sec. 192.53(c), 192.121, 192.123, and
192.619(a). If it is determined that the commodity transported in this
pipeline is not compatible with, and proves detrimental to, this pipe
material, OPS reserves the right, as a condition of this waiver, to
curtail or discontinue the use of this pipe material.
If Columbia does not comply with any of these requirements, or if
circumstances indicate that the waiver compromises the safety of the
pipeline, people or property, OPS reserves the right to terminate this
waiver.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60118(c) and 49 CFR 1.53.
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 25, 2005.
Theodore L. Willke,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 05-4121 Filed 3-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P