Continuing Surveillance [49 CFR 192.613]

(A)A. Each operator shall have a procedure for continuing surveillance of its facilities to determine and take appropriate action concerning changes in class location, failures, leakage history, corrosion, substantial changes in cathodic protection requirements, and other unusual operating and maintenance conditions. [49 CFR 192.613(a)]#

(B)B. If a segment of pipeline is determined to be in unsatisfactory condition but no immediate hazard exists, the operator shall initiate a program to recondition or phase out the segment involved, or, if the segment cannot be reconditioned or phased out, reduce the maximum allowable operating pressure in accordance with §2719.A and B. [49 CFR 192.613(b)]#

(C)C. Following an extreme weather event or natural disaster that has the likelihood of damage to pipeline facilities by the scouring or movement of the soil surrounding the pipeline or movement of the pipeline, such as a named tropical storm or hurricane; a flood that exceeds the river, shoreline, or creek high-water banks in the area of the pipeline; a landslide in the area of the pipeline; or an earthquake in the area of the pipeline, an operator must inspect all potentially affected onshore transmission pipeline facilities to detect conditions that could adversely affect the safe operation of that pipeline. [49 CFR 192.613(c)]#

(1)1. An operator must assess the nature of the event and the physical characteristics, operating conditions, location, and prior history of the affected pipeline in determining the appropriate method for performing the initial inspection to determine the extent of any damage and the need for the additional assessments required under this Paragraph C.1. [49 CFR 192.613(c)(1)]#

(2)2. An operator must commence the inspection required by Subsection C of this Section within 72 hours after the point in time when the operator reasonably determines that the affected area can be safely accessed by personnel and equipment, and the personnel and equipment required to perform the inspection as determined by Paragraph C.1 of this Section are available. If an operator is unable to commence the inspection due to the unavailability of personnel or equipment, the operator must notify the pipeline division director at pipelineinspectors@la.gov as soon as practicable. [49 CFR 192.613(c)(2)]#

(3)3. An operator must take prompt and appropriate remedial action to ensure the safe operation of a pipeline based on the information obtained as a result of performing the inspection required by Subsection C of this Section. Such actions might include, but are not limited to: [49 CFR 192.613(c)(3)]#

(a)a. reducing the operating pressure or shutting down the pipeline; [49 CFR 192.613(c)(3)(i)]#

(b)b. modifying, repairing, or replacing any damaged pipeline facilities; [49 CFR 192.613(c)(3)(ii)]#

(c)c. preventing, mitigating, or eliminating any unsafe conditions in the pipeline right-of-way; [49 CFR 192.613(c)(3)(iii)]#

(d)d. performing additional patrols, surveys, tests, or inspections; [49 CFR 192.613(c)(3)(iv)]#

(e)e. implementing emergency response activities with Federal, State, or local personnel; or [49 CFR 192.613(c)(3)(v)]#

(f)f. notifying affected communities of the steps that can be taken to ensure public safety. [49 CFR 192.613(c)(3)(vi)]#

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:501 et seq.#

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, LR 9:241 (April 1983), amended LR 10:533 (July 1984), LR 30:1262 (June 2004), LR 50:1252 (September 2024).#