{"operation":"document","citation":null,"title":"Emergency Flow Restricting Devices/Leak Detection Systems","source_type":"rulemaking","agency":"Research and Special Programs Administration","status":"historical","official":true,"published_on":"1994-01-19","effective_on":null,"summary":"In 1991, the Department issued a report on emergency flow restricting devices (EFRDs) that proposed seeking public input on the placement of EFRDs at certain locations on hazardous liquid pipelines. The Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 mandated that the Department issue regulations prescribing the circumstances under which operators must use EFRDs and other equipment used to detect and locate pipeline ruptures on hazardous liquid pipelines. The regulations are to be issued following a survey and assessment of the effectiveness of such equipment. This advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) poses a series of questions in order to solicit public input for the survey process.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/federal-register-94-1177.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/federal-register-94-1177.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/federal-register-94-1177","source_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1994/01/19/94-1177/emergency-flow-restricting-devicesleak-detection-systems","body":"Federal Register, Volume 59 Issue 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 1994) [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] [FR Doc No: 94-1177] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: January 19, 1994] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Research and Special Programs Administration 49 CFR Part 195 [Docket No. PS-133; Notice 1] RIN 2137--AC 39 Emergency Flow Restricting Devices/Leak Detection Systems AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT. ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In 1991, the Department issued a report on emergency flow restricting devices (EFRDs) that proposed seeking public input on the placement of EFRDs at certain locations on hazardous liquid pipelines. The Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 mandated that the Department issue regulations prescribing the circumstances under which operators must use EFRDs and other equipment used to detect and locate pipeline ruptures on hazardous liquid pipelines. The regulations are to be issued following a survey and assessment of the effectiveness of such equipment. This advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) poses a series of questions in order to solicit public input for the survey process. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments in duplicate by April 19, 1994. Late-filed comments will be considered to the extent practicable. Interested persons should submit as part of their written comments all the material that is considered relevant to any statement of fact or argument made. ADDRESSES: Send comments in duplicate to the Dockets Unit, Room 8421, Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590. Identify the docket and notice numbers stated in the heading of this advance notice. All comments and materials cited in this document will be available in the docket for inspection and copying in room 8421 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. each working day. Visitors are admitted to DOT headquarters building through the southwest quadrant at Seventh and E Streets. Commenters may request copies of the questions in a format which can be filled out and returned to the RSPA. Requests should be made to Lloyd W. Ulrich, Office of Pipeline Safety, room 2335, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 366-4556 or FAX (202) 366-4566. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lloyd W. Ulrich, (202) 366-4556, regarding the subject matter of this advance notice, or Dockets Unit, (202) 366-5046, for copies of this advance notice or other material in the docket. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The RSPA has been concerned for some time with the issue of more rapid leak detection on hazardous liquid pipelines, and the optimum placement of EFRDs to limit commodity release after the location of the release in the hazardous liquid pipeline has been identified. Section 203 of the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act (codified at 49 U.S.C. app. Sec. 2002(n)) as amended by the Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 (the 1992 Act) (Pub. L. 102-508) mandated the Secretary, within two years of enactment, to conduct a survey and assess the effectiveness of emergency flow restricting devices (EFRDs) and other procedures, systems, and equipment used to detect and locate hazardous liquid pipeline ruptures and minimize product releases from hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. The 1992 amendments further mandated that the Secretary issue regulations within two years of completion of the survey and assessment. These regulations would prescribe the circumstances under which operators of hazardous liquid pipelines would use EFRDs and other procedures, systems, and equipment to detect and locate pipeline ruptures and minimize product release from pipeline facilities. The Secretary has delegated this authority to the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) (See 49 CFR 1.53). Also, the Department's March 1991 report titled ``Emergency Flow Restricting Devices Study'' contained proposals that we seek public input on the placement of EFRDs in urban areas, at water crossings, at other critical areas affected by commodity release, and areas in close proximity to the public outside of urban areas. This ANPRM solicits public input for the survey process mandated by the 1992 Act as well as the proposals from the Department's 1991 EFRD study. The ANPRM requests information and data by posing a series of questions. This approach is utilized rather than conducting a traditional research survey of a selected number of respondents in order to obtain a broader base of data and to accelerate the regulatory process. Notice on Highly Volatile Liquids--1978 In 1978, the RSPA issued an NPRM (43 FR 39402; September 5, 1978) proposing requirements intended to limit spillage from hazardous liquid pipelines carrying highly volatile liquids (HVL) 1 in inhabited areas by requiring installation of remotely controlled valves (RCVs) 2 or automatically controlled valves (ACVs). 3 This proposal was later withdrawn (46 FR 2130; January 8, 1981) because hazardous liquid pipeline industry studies demonstrated that placement of closely spaced valves over the full length of an HVL pipeline was not a reasonable method of reducing the effects of an accident. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\1\\The term ``HVL'' is defined in 49 CFR 195.2 as a hazardous liquid which will form a vapor cloud when released to the atmosphere and which has a vapor pressure exceeding 276 kPa (40 psia) at 37.8 deg.C (100 deg.F). The commodities included in the term ``HVL'' are LPG, anhydrous ammonia, and certain natural gas liquids. \\2\\An RCV is any valve which is operated from a location remote from where the valve is installed. The location is usually at the pipeline control or dispatching center. The linkage between the pipeline control center and the RCV may be by fiber optics, microwave, telephone lines, or satellite. \\3\\An ACV is any valve which automatically closes in response to a rate of pressure drop or flow rate in the pipeline which exceeds a preset level. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mounds View Accident A July 8, 1986, accident on a gasoline pipeline focused interest on EFRDs. The accident, caused by a ruptured pipe seam on a gasoline pipeline in Mounds View, Minnesota, resulted in two deaths, one injury, and property damage well in excess of $1,000,000. The accident was exacerbated by backflow or draining from the pipeline after the manually operated valves on either side of the ruptured section were closed. The spill ignited approximately 20 minutes after the rupture. It took the pipeline operator over 1 hour and 40 minutes from the time of the rupture to isolate the ruptured section. Since this accident, the pipeline company installed a computerized leak-detection system and RCVs on either side of Mounds View (a distance of about 5.7 miles). Advance Notice on Certain Safety Proposals--1987 In 1987, as a result of the same accident, the RSPA again addressed RCVs and ACVs in an ANPRM (52 FR 4361; February 11, 1987). This ANPRM invited public comment on the merit of certain safety proposals advanced by Congress, the Minnesota Commission on Pipeline Safety, and the National Transportation Safety Board. One safety proposal was to convert shutoff valves required by the pipeline safety regulations on existing pipelines to RCVs or ACVs, and require similar valves on new pipeline construction. Both gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators indicated that neither RCVs nor ACVs were installed as shutoff valves as standard practice. They indicated that RCVs and ACVs had little effect to mitigate the extent of the spill because often, especially in populated areas on gas pipelines, ignition occurred before either type of valve could shut down a pipeline. The specific concern of false closure of ACVs was identified in these comments. There was substantial agreement by both gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators that ACVs should not be used as EFRDs because of their unreliability. This unreliability was due to the inability of ACV sensors to distinguish between a leak and normal operating fluctuations. Pipeline operators indicated numerous documented cases of unintended closures of ACVs. A false closure of an ACV on a hazardous liquid pipeline can cause an immediate pressure buildup or surge which may result in a pipeline rupture. On September 23, 1987, the ANPRM was discussed at the joint meeting of the RSPA's Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee. (Both technical committees were established by the Secretary of Transportation to advise the Department on the technical feasibility, reasonableness, and practicability of all proposed gas and hazardous liquid pipeline safety standards and all amendments to existing standards.) The committees recommended that the Department study the selective use of RCVs and ACVs. Emergency Flow Restricting Devices Study--1991 Section 305 of the Pipeline Safety Reauthorization Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-561), enacted on October 31, 1988, directed a study of the safety, cost, feasibility, and effectiveness of requiring gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators to install EFRDs in existing and future pipeline systems in varying circumstances and locations. In March 1991, in response to this Congressional mandate, the Department issued the study titled ``Emergency Flow Restricting Devices Study.'' One of the conclusions in the study was that RCVs and check valves 4 are the only feasible EFRDs. Another conclusion was that requiring the retrofitting of all existing manually operated valves to RCVs on hazardous liquid pipelines in urban locations, as well as new valves in urban areas appeared to be cost effective. Still another conclusion in the study was that for an RCV to be effective, a modern supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system with a well- designed leak detection subsystem was necessary to reduce spills from hazardous liquid pipelines. The study found that there was no significant benefit from installing EFRDs on gas transmission pipelines. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\4\\Check valves are valves that permit fluid to flow freely in one direction and contain a mechanism to automatically prevent flow in the other direction. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCADA systems utilize computer technology to analyze data (e.g., pressure, temperature, and delivery flow rates) that are continuously gathered from remote locations on the pipeline. Computer analysis of this data is used to assist in day-to-day operating decisions on the pipeline and to provide input for real-time models of the pipeline operation which can identify and locate leaks. SCADA-based leak detection subsystems are composed of hardware and software programs that employ a real-time modelling procedure to compare the current operational conditions of a segment of pipe to an ``ideal'' operating state. This ideal state is sometimes recalibrated during operations to accommodate variations in conditions (e.g., temperature or pressure fluctuations in the pipe that occur due to changes in the materials in transport or external environmental conditions). An ``alarm'' is sent to a central operator when the software model detects a condition that is ``substantially'' different from the idealized state. What makes the condition ``substantially'' different, thereby triggering the alarm, is determined by the model designer and the conditions imposed on the model, as well as by the amount of data available on the ``ideal'' state and its normal operational variability. An RCV can operate without a SCADA system installed. However, for an RCV to be used effectively in reducing a spill, the dispatcher must be able to determine that a pipeline failure has occurred, identify the location of the failure, and then quickly initiate closure of the valve. Accomplishing these actions in a timely manner requires the installation of a SCADA system including a well-designed leak detection subsystem. The extensive pollution which resulted from a 1988 pipeline failure in Maries County, Missouri, to be discussed later in this ANPRM, might have been avoided if a leak detection subsystem had been installed with the SCADA system allowing operator personnel to detect the leak. It is clear from the RSPA's analysis of information and data obtained in conducting the March 1991 EFRD study, that spillage from a pipeline failure can be significantly reduced by RCVs only where a modern SCADA system is equipped with a well-designed leak detection subsystem. The type and sophistication of the control system, installed as part of an existing SCADA system, depends on the age of the control system. The March 1991 EFRD study contained a number of proposals to address the issue of EFRDs. One of the proposals was that the Department conduct a research study on whether SCADA systems, including well-designed leak detection subsystems, should be required on hazardous liquid pipelines in order to enhance the safe operation of the pipelines. Enhanced safety requirements would include provision for more rapid response following accidents, including valve spacing criteria and initiating the closure of RCVs. This study is presently being conducted by the Volpe National Transportation System Center (VNTSC) and is discussed later in this ANPRM. Another proposal from this study was for the RSPA to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing to require, on hazardous liquid pipelines with SCADA systems installed, that existing manually operated main line block valves 5 in urban areas be retrofitted to make them RCVs and install RCVs when new valves are installed in urban areas. This ANPRM seeks data on valves located in urban areas. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\5\\A valve which provides a positive shut off of commodity flow both upstream and downstream of the valve is generally known as a ``block valve'' because it blocks the flow in the pipeline. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other proposals in the study suggested public input on whether the hazardous liquid pipeline safety regulations in 49 CFR part 195 should be revised to require valve spacing criteria for EFRDs at the following locations: (1) Where the valves could most effectively reduce the likelihood of the escaping liquid entering the water at water crossings that are more than 100-feet wide, and on either side of a reservoir holding water for human consumption; (2) At other critical areas affected by commodity release; and (3) At specific locations outside of urban areas on hazardous liquid pipelines in proximity to the public. Some of the questions posed in this ANPRM are designed to provide data on which the RSPA will decide on a further course of action concerning the proposed placement of EFRDs in these locations. Past Data Collection To broaden the data base for the March 1991 EFRD study, the RSPA solicited information from the public, including gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators and equipment manufacturers, through a Federal Register notice (54 FR 20945; May 15, 1989). A series of 15 questions addressed a number of EFRD/leak detection-related issues including SCADA technology, establishing a maximum allowable spill value, and criteria for valve spacing. The 72 responses to the notice are contained in Docket PS-104; Notice 1 and are available for review in the Docket Unit, room 8421. The notice included a series of questions about leak detection subsystems which are part of operators' SCADA systems. The responses to the questions indicated SCADA systems are becoming more sophisticated and leak detection subsystems are becoming more common on hazardous liquid pipelines. The sensitivity of leak detection subsystems on hazardous liquid pipelines was reported to range from 0.5 percent of flow to 5 percent of flow over a 1- to 2-hour period. Once a leak is suspected, the time for the dispatcher to respond by closing valves ranges from a few minutes for an RCV to an average of about 2 hours for manually operated valves. Commenters to the notice were also asked to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a valve spacing requirement based on a maximum spill criterion. Two advantages cited by commenters to support establishing a maximum spill criterion on a hazardous liquid pipeline were: (1) Reduction in the exposure to the public of the possible hazard created by a spill and (2) improved contingency plans since the plans could be based on a spill of a set volume. However, commenters cited more disadvantages than advantages. Most hazardous liquid pipeline operators opposed setting a maximum spill criterion. They indicated a maximum acceptable spill would vary widely along the length of any pipeline depending on spill location. Establishing one criterion for all pipelines would not account for the variables at each spill location. Commenters indicated that more important than establishing an arbitrary spill limit is the need to consider the line profile, drainage gradient, length, and diameter of the hazardous liquid pipeline, susceptibility to outside force damage, population density, and potential hazards to public safety and the environment. Commenters indicated a spill limit would require more valves, particularly on large diameter hazardous liquid pipelines. This would increase the opportunity for inadvertent valve closure, leakage from the valve itself, and vandalism. One commenter stated that protection of the public and environment is related more to exposure of the hazardous liquid pipeline to the public and response time in detecting and responding to a failure, than to setting a limit on the volume of product released. This commenter stated: ``The most effective means for mitigating potential pipeline failure hazards is prompt leak identification, rapid pipeline shutdown, and immediate dispatch of response crews to the failure site.'' Commenters were asked if the spacing of RCVs and ACVs is determined by a maximum spill from the hazardous liquid pipeline, what should that maximum spill value be? None of the commenters provided a maximum spill value. Hazardous liquid pipeline operators reiterated that the information provided in the responses to the valve spacing question should be used in the context of spill mitigation rather than to establish a single maximum spill criterion. One commenter stated that, in addition to pipe diameter, terrain, and the pipeline's route near or in urban areas, the RSPA should consider the probability of failure, magnitude of the leak, and consequences of the leak in establishing a maximum spill criterion. December 24, 1988, Failure in Maries County, Missouri The legislative history for the 1992 Act cites a December 24, 1988, failure in Maries County, Missouri to demonstrate the need of adequate leak detection equipment. The failure resulted in a crude oil spill of approximately 20,554 barrels (863,268 gallons). The cause was the abrupt change in pressure and fluid flow from the switching of flowing, low density crude oil from one pipeline into another containing a substantially heavier oil. Crude oil released entered a tributary of the Gasconade River, the Gasconade River, the Missouri River, and eventually the Mississippi River near St. Louis, Missouri. In order to control the contamination from the large volume of crude oil released, it was necessary to shut down several water companies along these rivers and a brewery in St. Louis. Failure of pipeline personnel at the dispatching station to recognize that a rupture had occurred and to shut down the pipeline greatly increased the volume of crude oil spilled. The Gasconade River and its tributary, into which the crude oil spill first entered, were bracketed by manually operated block valves. The RSPA estimates that the installation of a check valve would have prevented drainage from the 5 mile of pipe on either side of the river, thereby substantially reducing the size of the spill. Also, the installation of a leak detection subsystem on the SCADA system would probably have substantially reduced the size of the spill. Report From the National Institute of Standards and Technology The legislative history of the 1992 Act also cites a July 1989 report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Commerce (Report Number NISTIR 89-4136) which resulted from an investigation of the Maries County, Missouri pipeline failure. In the report, titled ``An Assessment of the Performance of Older ERW Pipelines'', NIST found that the installation of EFRDs could significantly reduce the damage from pipeline failures and recommended that they be installed in ``critical risk locations.'' Current SCADA Study by the VNTSC In May 1992, the RSPA commenced a research study with the VNTSC to analyze SCADA systems and computer-generated leak detection systems. The purpose of the research study is to determine the feasibility and costs of requiring pipeline operators to install a SCADA system including a leak detection subsystem, and determine what impediments exist or what system improvements are needed to minimize the time it takes SCADA systems to detect and locate leaks, and make recommendations to resolve these difficulties. As mentioned previously, this new initiative is based on findings from the Department's March 1991 EFRD study concerning RCVs. These valves maximize the value of SCADA-based leak detection systems by helping to mitigate damages from detected leaks. The first phase of this study included a literature search on the subject, on-site interviews with seven pipeline operators, interviews with five equipment vendors, and development of a mathematical model describing optimal valve spacing for given annual pipeline failure rates per mile and costs, and a method to evaluate alternative leak detection system performance characteristics to reduce pipeline spill volumes. Every pipeline operator surveyed by the contractor used some sort of SCADA system. Most operators had at least one computerized leak detection system, either one purchased from a vendor, custom designed by the operator, or a combination of the two systems. All operators interviewed believed that the condition of high false alarm rates was a major drawback to the installation and operation of leak detection systems. The problem occurs due to the required trade-off between the threshold volume sensitivity of the leak detection system and the resulting false alarm rate when this sensitivity is too high. All the operators interviewed emphasized that the most critical link in leak detection was the interface between the system itself and the pipeline dispatcher, and that there was no substitute for a highly competent pipeline dispatcher. The VNTSC is drafting a report on the first phase of the study. Once the report is completed, a copy will be placed in the docket to this rulemaking. Regulatory Analysis and Notices A. Impact Assessment This ANPRM is not considered a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and was not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. The ANPRM is not considered significant under the Regulatory Policies and Procedures of the Department of Transportation (44 FR 11034). B. Regulatory Flexibility Act This ANPRM would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities (i.e., small businesses, governmental jurisdictions, and non-for-profit organizations) under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. This ANPRM would apply to operators of hazardous liquid pipelines, all of whom are large businesses. Therefore, I certify that this ANPRM will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This certification is subject to modification as a result of a review of comments received in response to this ANPRM. C. Federalism Assessment The ANPRM has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and criteria in Executive Order 12612 (``Federalism''), and does not have sufficient federalism impacts to warrant the preparation of a federalism assessment. D. Paperwork Reduction Act There are no new information collection requirements in this ANPRM. Questions The RSPA is issuing this ANPRM to solicit data from the public through a series of questions as the means of conducting the survey mandated in the 1992 Act. The response from the public to these questions will aid in developing proposals on what circumstances and criteria operators must install EFRDs and other equipment to limit product release from hazardous liquid pipelines. The failures discussed above suggest that releases can be reduced when EFRDs and well-designed leak detection systems are installed on hazardous liquid pipelines. Assessing the data received from the questions in the ANPRM should accelerate the rulemaking process required by the 1992 Act. The data gathered by this ANPRM, the findings from earlier reports on the subject of EFRDs, including the Department's March 1991 EFRD study, and the work accomplished so far in the SCADA contract with the VNTSC could form the basis for any notice of proposed rulemaking concerning the proposed placement of EFRDs and criteria for leak detection systems. The RSPA is considering a systems approach to reducing spills from hazardous liquid pipelines. The system involved includes equipment, personnel, software and procedures to accomplish three tasks: (1) Detect that a failure and resultant spill has occurred; (2) Identify the location of the spill; and (3) Shut the pipeline down in order to reduce the amount of the spill. The first two tasks involve computerized leak detection systems, while the third task involves the installation of EFRDs. Many of the following questions are directed to the operators of hazardous liquid pipelines. They relate to pipeline system operational data in addition to the physical location of pipeline facilities in relation to geographical and topographical features which can only be obtained from pipeline operators. However, the RSPA solicits comments to questions which do not involve data on a particular hazardous liquid pipeline from other members of the public including State agencies, trade associations, and environmental organizations, both private and public. The RSPA believes that State pipeline safety agencies can contribute significantly to this rulemaking because of the States' unique experience with regulating intrastate hazardous liquid pipelines and as the Department's agent on interstate hazardous liquid pipelines. Questions 18 and 19 are directed to the nonregulated public. These commenters are requested also to suggest additional questions, including clarification questions, which may emerge from reviewing this ANPRM. To aid in analysis of the responses, commenters are requested to respond using the same numbering system which is used in this ANPRM. SCADA-based Leak Detection System Sensitivity and Reliability The RSPA needs data on which to base decisions on what should be proposed for SCADA-based leak detection systems. The RSPA is starting from the premise that most if not all hazardous liquid pipeline operators have installed a SCADA system which is used for the everyday efficient operation of the pipeline. The SCADA study by the VNTSC has, so far, found this to be true. (Commenters are requested to indicate if this premise is true.) The RSPA must decide whether to propose: (1) A specific type of leak detection system; (2) whether to propose requiring certain criteria which would embody the attributes of all of the presently recognized computerized leak detection systems; (3) a combination of (1) and (2); or (4) some other leak detection system requirement which at present is unknown to the RSPA but which may emerge from comments to this ANPRM. The questions are intended to obtain responses which relate to operational data that a hazardous liquid operator has concerning the SCADA-based leak detection system installed on its pipeline system including the sensitivity and reliability of that system. Questions 1 through 6 primarily relate to the experience on a segment of the operator's hazardous liquid pipeline system which is covered by a SCADA-based leak detection system. If the operator has segments of its hazardous liquid pipeline system covered by more than one SCADA-based leak detection system, please submit responses to the series of questions 1 through 6 for each segment of the covered pipeline system. For instance, a SCADA-based leak detection system may be installed on a 400 mile segment of an interstate pipeline in Texas and another SCADA-based leak detection system on a 200 mile segment in Virginia. The RSPA requests a separate set of responses for each segment, not aggregate responses for all of the SCADA-based leak detection systems for all parts of the operator's pipeline system. Several topics will be addressed in the set of questions below. These are: (1) The method(s) of leak detection in use on the segment described in the data submission; (2) leak detection alarms which occur at the hazardous liquid pipeline systems operating center; (3) the leak detection and SCADA system availability; and (4) the actual performance of leak detection systems in identifying and locating leaks on an operational hazardous liquid pipeline. If the operator does not presently have this data, we encourage the operator to gather the data for at least one month and then submit it to the RSPA. System alarms history should be provided to the RSPA as a log and may be submitted either as a computer printout or on a diskette using standard ASCII format as long as the segment identifying information is clearly noted on the data. Experimental (or simulation- based) data may be provided as well as operational data which only reflect actual operational experience. The leak detection performance data should be provided as a log and may be submitted either as a computer printout or on a diskette using standard ASCII format. Historical performance data gathered during developmental phases such as system installation and modification also should be submitted. It would be helpful if commenters group data for each different data collection time period or pipeline segment, so that all data (questions 1-6) relates to only one specific segment and time period. For the purposes of these questions, a pipeline segment is defined as that part of the pipeline between two points where the product can be contained, such as between two pressure pump stations, between a pressure pump station and a terminal, between a pressure pump station and a valve, or between two valves. Question 1: Provide the following general information about the segment of hazardous liquid pipeline to which the series of questions 1-6 relate: 1.1 Pipeline segment length description covered in this data submission: 1.1.1 Starting point (mile post or survey station no.)________ 1.1.2 Ending point (mile post or survey station no.)________ 1.1.3 Length of segment (miles)________ 1.2 Pipeline nominal diameter (in.)________ 1.3 Number of pumping stations on segment? ________ 1.4 Number of injection points on segment?________ 1.5 Number of delivery points on segment?________ 1.6 Commodity(s) transported during this data history________ 1.7 Nominal flow rate (bbls/day) ________ 1.8 Beginning date covered by this data history (MM/DD/YY)________ 1.9 Ending date of this data history (MM/DD/YY) ________ Question 2: Classify the leak detection system(s) installed on this pipeline segment (check each that applies and answer questions 4 through 6 for each system checked). 2.1 Mass balance________ 2.2 Pressure wave ________ 2.3 External hydrocarbon sensor________ 2.4 Other (specify) ________ Question 3: For each leak detection system checked in Question 2, check whether the system was supplied by an independent vendor or was the system developed within your company. 3.1 For the system in Question 2.1? 3.1.1 Vendor (name) ________ 3.1.2 Internal company developed________ 3.2 For the system in Question 2.2? 3.2.1 Vendor (name) ________ 3.2.2 Internal company developed ________ 3.3 For the system in Question 2.3? 3.3.1 Vendor (name) ________ 3.3.2 Internal company developed ________ 3.4 For the system in Question 2.4? 3.4.1 Vendor (name)________ 3.4.2 Internal company developed ________ Question 4: For the alarm history, leak detection system availability history, and performance data of the leak detection system submitted, include answers to the following: 4.1 For the time period reported, at what threshold volume was the leak detection system set to alarm (including any error bandwidth that is incorporated into that amount) (bbls.)?________ 4.2 At that volume how long should detection take (mins.)? ________ 4.3 What was the average detection time for that volume (mins.)?________ 4.4 For each alarm during the time period reported in your response to Question 4, include the following data: 4.4.1 Alarm Initiated (MM/DD/YR & hours & minutes in military time 6)________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\6\\``Military time'' is using a 24 hour clock. For instance, 4:00 pm = 1600 hours or 5:15 pm = 1715 hours. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.4.2 Alarm Cleared (MM/DD/YR & hours & minutes in military time)________ 4.4.3 The length of time it took to identify the cause of the alarm (if not equal to the difference between the initiation and cleared time)(mins.)?________ 4.5 For each alarm, was the alarm attributed to one of these causes (Y/N)? 4.5.1 A leak ________ (If ``yes'', go to 4.6) 4.5.2 An operational change ________ 4.5.3 Data errors (associated with telemetry fluctuations) ________ 4.5.4 Component failure (hardware or telecommunications) ________ 4.5.5 Human error (e.g., failure to adjust the leak detection software system to commodity-specific parameters) ________ 4.5.6 Other (specify) ________ 4.5.7 Undetermined ________ 4.6 If a leak was detected-- 4.6.1 What was the cause of the leak (check)? 4.6.1.1 Corrosion? ________ 4.6.1.2 Failed pipe or pipe seam? ________ 4.6.1.3 Outside force damage by other than natural forces? ________ 4.6.1.4 Outside force damage by natural forces? ________ 4.6.1.5 Malfunction of control or relief equipment? ________ 4.6.1.6 Operator error? ________ 4.6.1.7 Other (specify) ________ 4.6.2 Was the leak on pipe originally installed on the pipeline segment (Y/N)? ________ 4.6.3 What year was the pipe originally installed (year)? ________ 4.6.4 If the answer to 4.6.2 was ``no'', what year was the pipe replaced or modified (year)? ________ 4.6.5 What action did you take? 4.6.5.1 Shut pipeline down (Y/N) ________ 4.6.5.2 Shut down leak detection system (Y/N) ________ 4.6.5.3 Left pipeline and leak detection systems running, conducted visual inspection (Y/N) ________ 4.6.5.4 Other (specify) ________ Question 5: For leak detection system availability (SCADA-based or non-SCADA-based), include answers to the following: 5.1 For each instance of leak detection system unavailability reported during the time period, include the following data: 5.1.1 Was this a complete shutdown of the SCADA/leak detection system (Y/N)? ________ (If ``no'', go to question 5.3) 5.2 If ``yes'', answer the following (check all that apply): 5.2.1 Date and time the system stopped running (MM/DD/YR & hours & minutes in military time) ________ 5.2.2 Date and time the system resumed (MM/DD/YR & hours & minutes in military time) ________ 5.2.3 Was the shutdown attributed to one of these causes (Y/N)? 5.2.3.1 Dispatcher decision? ________ 5.2.3.2 Input failure (telemetry/telecomm error)? ________ 5.2.3.3 Software failure of the SCADA system? ________ 5.2.3.4 Software failure of the leak detection system? ________ 5.2.3.5 Software failure of both? ________ 5.2.3.6 Hardware failure of the SCADA system? ________ 5.2.3.7 Hardware failure of the leak detection system? ________ 5.2.3.8 Hardware failure of both? ________ 5.2.3.9 Undetermined ________ 5.3 If the leak detection system itself did not completely shut down, did it issue an alarm (Y/N)? ________ 5.4 If an alarm was issued, was the problem attributed to any of the following (Y/N)? 5.4.1 Dispatcher decision? ________ 5.4.2 Input failure (telemetry/telecomm error)? ________ 5.4.3 Software failure of the SCADA system? ________ 5.4.4 Software failure of the leak detection system? ________ 5.4.5 Software failure of both? ________ 5.4.6 Hardware failure of the SCADA system? ________ 5.4.7 Hardware failure of the leak detection system? ________ 5.4.8 Hardware failure of both? ________ 5.4.9 Undetermined ________ Question 6: Answer the following on leak detection system performance: 6.1 What was the circumstance(s) under which data was collected for this segment and time period? 6.1.1 System development (Y/N) ________ 6.1.2 Leak detection system pre-operational demonstrations on a segment of operational pipeline (define segment length) (Y/N) ________ 6.1.3 Existing system modification/testing (Y/N) ________ 6.1.4 Actual system operation (Y/N) ________ 6.1.5 Other (specify) ________ 6.2 For each leak detected by the system during the time period, include the following data: 6.2.1 The specific detection threshold volume (include any error bandwidth that is incorporated in that amount)(bbls.) ________ 6.2.2 Pipeline length between leak detection measuring devices in the pipeline segment on which leak occurred (miles) ________ 6.2.3 Commodity transported at the time of the alarm ________ 6.2.4 Flow rate at the time of the alarm (bbls/hr) ________ 6.2.5 Estimated (or actual) leak volume (bbls.) ________ 6.2.6 Estimated (or actual if known) size of hole or rupture (in.) ________ 6.2.7 Estimated 7 (or actual) date and time leak occurred (MM/ DD/YR & hours & minutes in military time) ________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\7\\Data provided from simulations should include the simulated leak start and end times, however, actual leak start times are not expected from operational data since there is a lag between the actual leak start and when it is detected. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6.2.8 Date and Time leak detected (MM/DD/YR & hours & minutes in military time) ________ 6.2.9 Date and Time leak located (MM/DD/YR & hours & minutes in military time) ________ 6.2.10 Location of leak as indicated by leak detection system (mile post or survey station no.) ________ 6.2.10.1 Was a leak detection/SCADA system alarm issued (Y/N)? ________ 6.2.10.2 If ``yes'', the date and time alarm issued (MM/DD/YR & hours & minutes in military time) ________ 6.2.10.3 If ``yes'', the date and time alarm cleared (MM/DD/YR & hours & minutes in military time) ________ 6.2.10.4 Dispatcher response (check all that apply): 6.2.10.4.1 Pipeline shutdown ________ 6.2.10.4.2 Leak detection system shutdown only ________ 6.2.10.4.3 Contacted pipeline personnel to check for operational or system explanations for alarm (other than a leak) ________ 6.2.10.4.4 Dispatched personnel to approximate leak location ________ 6.2.10.4.5 Other (specify) ________ 6.2","truncated":true,"body_characters":63818}