# Inspection of Gas Pipeline Operator Facilities

**Citation:** OAR 860-031-0005  
**Type / status:** regulation / current  
**Agency:** Oregon Public Utility Commission  
**Effective:** 2001-03-21  
**Published:** Not stated

(1) Priority in inspections will be given to those systems and plants with greater risk potential. The following factors will be considered in determining potential risk: the size of the plant or system and the number of customers it serves, the ratio of total pipe to cathodically protected pipe, th

## Document text

(1) Priority in inspections will be given to those systems and plants with greater risk potential. The following factors will be considered in determining potential risk: the size of the plant or system and the number of customers it serves, the ratio of total pipe to cathodically protected pipe, the ratio of total pipe to coated pipe, the leaks per mile of main, the percentage of unaccounted-for gas volume, and the number of past accidents.

(2) Inspections will include reviews of the operator’s standard practices and records concerning design, construction, operation, maintenance, inspection, emergency procedures, and damage prevention programs. Field inspections may include, but are not limited to: checks of cathodic protection levels, construction practices, barricading or protection of equipment from damage, witnessing operational checks of overpressure protection and regulating equipment, odorization, leak surveys, and other field functions. Any documentation, records, or physical evidence necessary to support allegations of noncompliance may be obtained by the investigator during the inspection or at any later date.

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=860-031-0005>
- Source ID: `or-oar`
- SHA-256: `2b27dfdf11ef533f4c713fc0347c6aa54bd833f4ba21eadca051d822851bdcdf`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T10:23:41.278Z
- Exported: 2026-08-24T15:31:18.974Z
- Document slug: `or-oar-860-031-0005`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "jurisdiction": "US-OR",
  "chapter": 860,
  "division": 31,
  "section": "860-031-0005",
  "pipelineScope": "oregon-gas-pipeline-inspection-and-enforcement",
  "legalScope": "Complete current OAR chapter 860, division 31 rules governing Oregon Public Utility Commission inspection and enforcement procedures for gas pipeline operators identified in ORS 757.039, including probable-violation procedure, civil penalties, and safety-standard waivers.",
  "applicabilityCaveat": "Division 31 applies only to pipeline operators identified in ORS 757.039. Determine Oregon and federal jurisdiction, operator and facility class, intrastate or interstate status, the separately applicable safety standards (including OAR chapter 860 division 24 and federal pipeline-safety rules), and any Commission or federal waiver before applying a provision.",
  "rights": "The connector preserves official Oregon Secretary of State administrative-rule text with attribution and provenance. No reuse license for the OARD site presentation was identified; site design, annotations, linked materials, and incorporated federal material may carry separate rights. Confirm reuse requirements for uses beyond legal research.",
  "authority": "ORS 183, 756 & 757",
  "implementedStatutes": "ORS 756.040 & 757.039",
  "currentEffectiveOn": "2001-03-21",
  "effectiveDateBasis": "Latest certified-effective date in the official current rule's displayed history; it is not a publication date for the division as a whole.",
  "sourceVersionId": 221769,
  "currentVersionUrl": "https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=221769",
  "divisionSourceUrl": "https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=4045",
  "pipelineProgramUrl": "https://www.oregon.gov/puc/safety/Pages/Gas-Pipeline-Safety.aspx",
  "references": [
    {
      "citation": "ORS 183",
      "referenceType": "oregon-revised-statutes-chapter",
      "url": "https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors183.html"
    },
    {
      "citation": "ORS 756",
      "referenceType": "oregon-revised-statutes-chapter",
      "url": "https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.html"
    },
    {
      "citation": "ORS 757",
      "referenceType": "oregon-revised-statutes-chapter",
      "url": "https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.html"
    },
    {
      "citation": "ORS 756.040",
      "referenceType": "oregon-revised-statute",
      "url": "https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.html"
    },
    {
      "citation": "ORS 757.039",
      "referenceType": "oregon-revised-statute",
      "url": "https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.html"
    }
  ],
  "publicationStatus": "Current rule text and current rule-version identifier published by the Oregon Secretary of State Oregon Administrative Rules Database.",
  "region": "OR"
}
```