California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 2 - Department of Conservation
Chapter 4 - Development, Regulation, and Conservation of Oil and Gas Resources
Subchapter 2 - Environmental Protection
Article 3 - Requirements
Section 1774.1 - Pipeline Inspection and Testing

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 1774.1

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Operators shall visually inspect all aboveground pipelines for leaks and corrosion at least once a year.

(b) Operators shall inspect all active gas pipelines in sensitive areas that are 10 or more years old for leaks or other defects at least once a year, or at a frequency approved by the Supervisor and listed in the operator's Pipeline Management Plan. The operator shall conduct the inspection in accordance with applicable regulatory standards or, in the absence thereof, an accepted industry standard that is specified by the operator and listed in the Pipeline Management Plan.

(c) The Supervisor may order such tests or inspections deemed necessary to establish the reliability of any pipeline system. Repair, replacement, or cathodic protection may be required.

(d) Operators shall conduct pressure testing in accordance with subdivision (f)(2) on any pipeline that has had a leak resulting in the release of a fluid in a quantity that triggers reporting of the release under any regulatory, statutory, or other legal requirement. The pipeline shall not be returned to service unless the pressure testing has been successfully completed. Test results shall be provided to the Division for review within seven days following the test.

(e) Pipe clamps, wooden plugs or screw-in plugs shall not be used for permanent repair of pipeline leaks.

(f) The operator shall perform periodic mechanical integrity testing on all active environmentally sensitive pipelines that are gathering lines, all urban pipelines over 4" in diameter, and all active gas pipelines in sensitive areas. The mechanical integrity testing shall be conducted every two years, or at an alternative frequency approved by the Supervisor based on demonstrated wall thickness and remaining service life over a period of at least two years. The testing frequencies shall be specified in the operator's Pipeline Management Plan. Pipelines less than 10 years old are exempt from the testing requirements of this subdivision. Subject to review and approval by the Division, the operator shall identify effective mechanical integrity testing methods based on pipeline type and use. The mechanical integrity testing methodology for compliance with this subdivision shall be specified in the operator's Pipeline Management Plan and shall include at least one of the following:

(1) Nondestructive testing using ultrasonic or other techniques approved by the Supervisor, to determine wall thickness;

(2) Pressure testing using:
(A) The guidelines recommended by industry standards, such as the American Petroleum Institute, American Society of Mechanical Engineers for oil or gas pipelines; or

(B) The method approved by the State Fire Marshal, Pipeline Safety Division for liquid pipelines or US Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration for gas pipelines;

(3) Internal inspection devices such as a smart pig, as approved by the Supervisor; or

(4) Any other method approved by the Supervisor that ensures mechanical integrity so as to protect life, health, property and natural resources.

Copies of mechanical integrity test results shall be maintained in a local office of the operator for ten years and made available to the Division, upon request. The operator shall assess all test results to determine continued safe operations and that risks identified in the Pipeline Management Plan are adequately addressed. The operator shall repair and retest or remove from service any pipeline that fails the mechanical integrity test. The operator shall promptly notify the Division in writing of any pipeline taken out of service due to a test failure.

(g) Vapor recovery pipelines are exempt from mechanical integrity testing under subdivision (f) if they are equipped with safeguards, such as oxygen detectors and are leak tested at least annually. The operator shall document the safeguards and inspection regime in its Pipeline Management Plan.

(h) A county board of Supervisors, a city council, or another state agency may petition the Supervisor to include other pipelines within their jurisdiction as environmentally sensitive or within a sensitive area. The request must be in writing and based on findings of a competent, professional evaluation that shows there is a probability of significant public danger or environmental damage if a leak were to occur.

(1) Within 30 days of receipt of a petition, the Supervisor shall notify any affected operator.

(2) Within 60 days of notification to the operators, the Supervisor shall schedule a hearing with the petitioner and operators to allow all parties to be heard.

(3) Within 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing, the Supervisor shall make a determination as to whether the areas or pipelines should be considered environmentally sensitive.

(i) For pipelines that are subject to mechanical integrity testing under subdivision (f), but that were not subject to mechanical integrity testing under subdivision (f) prior to January 1, 2018, mechanical integrity testing is not required to be completed until January 2, 2020. For these pipelines, mechanical integrity testing shall be scheduled, completed, and mechanical integrity test results documented per subdivision (f) prior to January 2, 2020.

1. New section filed 12-30-2010; operative 1-29-2011 (Register 2010, No. 53).
2. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 6-7-2018; operative 10-1-2018 (Register 2018, No. 23).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3270, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3106, 3270 and 3270.5, Public Resources Code.

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