Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. Applicability. For newly constructed and
entirely replaced onshore hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide pipeline segments,
as defined at §30105, with diameters of 6 inches or greater that could affect
high-consequence areas or are located in high consequence areas (HCA), and that
have been installed after April 10, 2023 an operator must install or use
existing rupture-mitigation valves (RMV), as defined at §30105, or alternative
equivalent technologies according to the requirements of this section and
§30419 RMVs and alternative equivalent
technologies must be operational within 14 days of placing the new or replaced
pipeline segment in service. An operator may request an extension of this
14-day operation requirement if it can demonstrate to PHMSA, in accordance with
the notification procedures in §30123, that application of that requirement
would be economically, technically, or operationally infeasible. The
requirements of this section apply to all applicable pipe replacements, even
those that do not otherwise directly involve the addition or replacement of a
valve. [49 CFR
195.418(a)]
B. Maximum spacing between valves. RMVs and
alternative equivalent technology must be installed in accordance with the
following requirements. [49
CFR 195.418(b)]
1. Shut-off Segment. For purposes of this
Section, a "shut-off segment" means the segment of pipeline located between the
upstream valve closest to the upstream endpoint of the replaced pipeline
segment in the HCA or the pipeline segment that could affect an HCA and the
downstream valve closest to the downstream endpoint of the replaced pipeline
segment of the HCA or the pipeline segment that could affect an HCA so that the
entirety of the segment that could affect the HCA or the segment within the HCA
is between at least two RMVs or alternative equivalent technologies. If any
crossover or lateral pipe for commodity receipts or deliveries connects to the
replaced segment between the upstream and downstream valves, the shut-off
segment also extends to a valve on the crossover connection(s) or lateral(s),
such that, when all valves are closed, there is no flow path for commodity to
be transported to the rupture site (except for residual liquids already in the
shut-off segment). Multiple segments that could affect HCAs or are in HCAs may
be contained within a single shut-off segment. All entirely replaced onshore
hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide pipeline segments, as defined in §30105,
that could affect or are in an HCA must include a minimum of one valve that
meets the requirements of this section and
section
30419 The operator is not
required to select the closest valve to the shut-off segment as the RMV or
alternative equivalent technology. An operator may use a manual pump station
valve at a continuously manned station as an alternative equivalent technology.
Such a manual valve used as an alternative equivalent technology would not
require a notification to PHMSA in accordance with
§30123 [49 CFR
195.418(b)(1)]
2. Shut-Off Segment Valve Spacing. Pipeline
segments subject to Subsection A of this Section must be protected on the
upstream and downstream side with RMVs or alternative equivalent technologies.
The distance between RMVs or alternative equivalent technologies must not
exceed: [49 CFR
195.418(b)(2)]
a. for pipeline segments carrying non-highly
volatile liquids (HVL): 15 miles, with a maximum distance not to exceed 7 1/2
miles from the endpoints of a shut-off segment: or [49 CFR
195.418(b)(2)(i)]
b. for pipeline segments carrying non-highly
volatile liquids (HVL): 15 miles, with a maximum distance not to exceed 7 1/2
miles from the endpoints of a shut-off segment: or [49 CFR
195.418(b)(2)(ii)]
3. Laterals. Laterals extending
from shut-off segments that contribute less than 5 percent of the total
shut-off segment volume may have RMVs or alternative equivalent technologies
that meet the actuation requirements of this section at locations other than
mainline receipt/delivery points, as long as all of these laterals contributing
hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide volumes to the shut-off segment do not
contribute more than 5 percent of the total shut-off segment volume, based upon
maximum flow volume at the operating pressure. A check valve may be used as an
alternative equivalent technology where it is positioned to stop flow into the
lateral. Check valves used as an alternative equivalent technology in
accordance with this Paragraph are not subject to
§30419 but must be inspected, operated,
and remediated in accordance with §30420, including for closure and leakage, to
ensure operational reliability. An operator using such a valve as an
alternative equivalent technology must submit a request to PHMSA in accordance
with §30122
[49 CFR
195.418(b)(3)]
4. Crossovers. An operator may use a manual
valve as an alternative equivalent technology for a crossover connection if,
during normal operations, the valve is closed to prevent the flow of hazardous
liquid or carbon dioxide with a locking device or other means designed to
prevent the opening of the valve by persons other than those authorized by the
operator. The operator must document that the valve has been closed and locked
in accordance with the operator's lock-out and tag-out procedures to prevent
the flow of hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide. An operator using a such a
valve as an alternative equivalent technology must submit a request to PHMSA in
accordance with
§30123 [49 CFR
195.418(b)(4)]
C. Manual operation upon
identification of a rupture. Operators using a manual valve as an alternative
equivalent technology pursuant to Subsection A of this Section must develop and
implement operating procedures and appropriately designate and locate nearby
personnel to ensure valve shut-off in accordance with this section and
§30419 Manual operation of valves must
include time for the assembly of necessary operating personnel, the acquisition
of necessary tools and equipment, driving time under heavy traffic conditions
and at the posted speed limit, walking time to access the valve, and time to
manually shut off all valves, not to exceed the response time in
§30419.B [49 CFR
195.418(c)]
D. Exception. The requirements of this
Section do not apply to gathering lines. [49 CFR
195.418(d)]
AUTHORITY
NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
30:501 et
seq.
