Transcript Distribution Integrity Management

Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Gas Pipeline Safety
Pipelines State and Local Issues
Pete Chace
GPS Program Manager
(614) 644-8983
[email protected]
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
The Federal Pipeline Safety Program
• The Federal Pipeline Safety Statute is
49 USC (“United States Code”) 60101-60301
• Congress created the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA) in the U.S. Department of
Transportation to regulate the construction,
operation and maintenance of gas and
liquid pipelines.
• Federal “Pipeline Safety Regulations” are
contained in 49 CFR (“Code of Federal
Regulations”) 191-199.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
The Federal-State Partnership
• The Ohio Revised Code section 4905.90 to 4905.96 grants
the Public Utilities Commission the authority to enforce
the Pipeline Safety Regulations for in-state gas pipelines.
• The Commission is also an interstate agent – we inspect
interstate pipeline systems although PHMSA retains
enforcement authority.
• The Commission maintains a cooperative agreement with
PHMSA where Staff performs audits and inspections, and
provides reporting data to PHMSA and in exchange the
Commission receives a grant to fund operating expenses.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Regulations Enforced by PUCO
• 49 CFR
– Part 192 – Transportation of Natural and Other Gas
by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards
– Part 191 – Transportation of Natural and Other Gas
by Pipeline: Annual Reports, Incident Reports, and
Safety Related Condition Reports
– Part 199 – Drug and Alcohol Testing
– Part 40 – Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedures
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Liquid Pipelines
• 49 CFR 195 – Transportation of Hazardous Liquids
by Pipeline
• The Commission does not have authority to
enforce 49 CFR 195.
• Liquid lines are regulated through the PHMSA
Central Region office in Kansas City.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
What is in the Pipeline Safety
Regulations (49 CFR 192)?
• Design of Piping and
Pipeline Components
• Welding Standards
• Joining of Plastic
Piping
• General Construction
Requirements
• Standards for Meters
and Service Lines
• Corrosion Control
• Pressure Testing and
establishment of Max.
Operating Pressure
• Pipeline Operations
• Maintenance
• Training Requirements
• Integrity Management
(risk based threat assessment)
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Pipeline Siting Considerations
• Siting of liquid pipelines and interstate gas pipelines are
regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC). Permits issued after considering environmental
impact and public need.
• The Ohio Power Siting Board regulates siting of natural gas
lines within Ohio. Pipelines greater than 9” diameter
operating at > 125 psig are subject to regulation.
• Siting of oil and gas production lines is not regulated.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Pipeline Design and Operation
Standards
• Pipelines may not operate above a Maximum
Allowable Operating Pressure. This is determined
by engineering factors and population density
around the pipeline.
• Operational standards include corrosion control,
overpressure protection, damage prevention (line
marking prior to excavation), visual inspection of
the pipeline right-of-way, leak detection and leak
repair.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Inspection and Leak Notification
Requirements
• Gas lines – primary purpose to prevent
fire/explosion hazards.
• Liquid lines – also must protect environmentally
sensitive areas.
• Maximum operating pressure, frequency of visual
inspections and leak detection changes depending
on population density and (for liquid lines only)
presence of “unusually sensitive areas”.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Unusually Sensitive Areas
• Defined in the liquid pipeline regulations
• Water intake for a Community Water System (CWS) or
Non-transient Non-community Water System
(NTNCWS)
• Source Water Protection Areas (SWPA)
• Sole source aquifer recharge areas
• Areas containing aquatic threatened or endangered
species
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Ohio Oil and Gas Production
• Major natural gas and natural gas liquids deposits can be
commercially exploited in Ohio due to advances in
technology. These deposits are in what is known as the
Utica and Marcellus shale formations.
• PUCO regulates the design, construction and operation of
gathering lines collecting gas from these fields. ODNR
regulates drilling and production. Recent changes to the
Ohio Revised Code (Ohio law) allow us to regulate some
lines that would otherwise be exempt from regulation.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Questions?
Pete Chace
GPS Program Manager
(614) 644-8983
[email protected]