General requirements.

(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section and in § 195.305(b), no operator may operate a pipeline unless it has been pressure tested under this subpart without leakage. In addition, no operator may return to service a segment of pipeline that has been replaced, relocated, or otherwise changed until it has been pressure tested under this subpart without leakage.#

(b)Except for pipelines converted under § 195.5, the following pipelines may be operated without pressure testing under this subpart:#

(1)Any hazardous liquid pipeline whose maximum operating pressure is established under § 195.406(a)(5) that is—#

(i)An interstate pipeline constructed before January 8, 1971;#

(ii)An interstate offshore gathering line constructed before August 1, 1977;#

(iii)An intrastate pipeline constructed before October 21, 1985; or#

(iv)A low-stress pipeline constructed before August 11, 1994 that transports HVL.#

(2)Any carbon dioxide pipeline constructed before July 12, 1991, that—#

(i)Has its maximum operating pressure established under § 195.406(a)(5); or#

(ii)Is located in a rural area as part of a production field distribution system.#

(3)Any low-stress pipeline constructed before August 11, 1994 that does not transport HVL.#

(4)Those portions of older hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipelines for which an operator has elected the risk-based alternative under § 195.303 and which are not required to be tested based on the risk-based criteria.#

(c)Except for pipelines that transport HVL onshore, low-stress pipelines, and pipelines covered under § 195.303, the following compliance deadlines apply to pipelines under paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2)(i) of this section that have not been pressure tested under this subpart:#

(1)Before December 7, 1998, for each pipeline each operator shall—#

(i)Plan and schedule testing according to this paragraph; or#

(ii)Establish the pipeline's maximum operating pressure under § 195.406(a)(5).#

(2)For pipelines scheduled for testing, each operator shall—#

(i)Before December 7, 2000, pressure test—#

(A)Each pipeline identified by name, symbol, or otherwise that existing records show contains more than 50 percent by mileage (length) of electric resistance welded pipe manufactured before 1970; and#

(B)At least 50 percent of the mileage (length) of all other pipelines; and#

(ii)Before December 7, 2003, pressure test the remainder of the pipeline mileage (length).#