How Is the Baseline Assessment to be Conducted [49 CFR 192.921]

(A)A. Assessment Methods. An operator must assess the integrity of the line pipe in each covered segment by applying one or more of the following methods for each threat to which the covered segment is susceptible. An operator must select the method or methods best suited to address the threats identified to the covered segment (See § 3317): [49 CFR 192.921(a)]#

(1)1. internal inspection tool or tools capable of detecting those threats to which the pipeline is susceptible. The use of internal inspection tools is appropriate for threats such as corrosion, deformation and mechanical damage (including dents, gouges and grooves), material cracking and crack- like defects (e.g., stress corrosion cracking, selective seam weld corrosion, environmentally assisted cracking, and girth weld cracks), hard spots with cracking, and any other threats to which the covered segment is susceptible. When performing an assessment using an in-line inspection tool, an operator must comply with §2145. In addition, an operator must analyze and account for uncertainties in reported results (e.g., tool tolerance, detection threshold, probability of detection, probability of identification, sizing accuracy, conservative anomaly interaction criteria, location accuracy, anomaly findings, and unity chart plots or equivalent for determining uncertainties and verifying actual tool performance) in identifying and characterizing anomalies; [49 CFR 192.921(a)(1)] ;#

(2)2. pressure test conducted in accordance with Chapter 23 of this Subpart. The use of Chapter 23 pressure testing is appropriate for threats such as internal corrosion; external corrosion and other environmentally assisted corrosion mechanisms; manufacturing and related defects threats, including defective pipe and pipe seams; stress corrosion cracking; selective seam weld corrosion; dents; and other forms of mechanical damage. An operator must use the test pressures specified in Table 5.6.1-1 of section 5 of ASME B31.8S (incorporated by reference, see §507) to justify an extended reassessment interval in accordance with §3339. [49 CFR 192.921(a)(2)] .#

(3)3. spike hydrostatic pressure test conducted in accordance with §2306. The use of spike hydrostatic pressure testing is appropriate for time- dependent threats such as stress corrosion cracking; selective seam weld corrosion; manufacturing and related defects, including defective pipe and pipe seams; and other forms of defect or damage involving cracks or crack-like defects; [49 CFR 192.921(a)(3)]#

(4)4. excavation and in situ direct examination by means of visual examination, direct measurement, and recorded non-destructive examination results and data needed to assess all threats. Based upon the threat assessed, examples of appropriate non-destructive examination methods include ultrasonic testing (UT), phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), inverse wave field extrapolation (IWEX), radiography, and magnetic particle inspection (MPI); [49 CFR 192.921(a)(4)]#

(5)5. guided wave ultrasonic testing (GWUT) as described in Appendix F. The use of GWUT is appropriate for internal and external pipe wall loss; [49 CFR 192.921(a)(5)]#

(6)6. direct assessment to address threats of external corrosion, internal corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. The use of direct assessment to address threats of external corrosion, internal corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking is allowed only if appropriate for the threat and the pipeline segment being assessed. Use of direct assessment for threats other than the threat for which the direct assessment method is suitable is not allowed. An operator must conduct the direct assessment in accordance with the requirements listed in §3323 and with the applicable requirements specified in §§3325, 3327 and 3329; or [49 CFR 192.921(a)(6)]#

(7)7. other technology that an operator demonstrates can provide an equivalent understanding of the condition of the line pipe for each of the threats to which the pipeline is susceptible. An operator must notify PHMSA in advance of using the other technology in accordance with §518. [49 CFR 192.921(a)(7)]#

(B)B. Prioritizing Segments. An operator must prioritize the covered pipeline segments for the baseline assessment according to a risk analysis that considers the potential threats to each covered segment. The risk analysis must comply with the requirements in §3317. [49 CFR 192.921(b)]#

(C)C. Assessment for Particular Threats. In choosing an assessment method for the baseline assessment of each covered segment, an operator must take the actions required in §3317.E to address particular threats that it has identified. [49 CFR 192.921(c)]#

(D)D. Time Period. An operator must prioritize all the covered segments for assessment in accordance with §3317.C and Subsection B of this Section. An operator must assess at least 50 percent of the covered segments beginning with the highest risk segments, by December 17, 2007. An operator must complete the baseline assessment of all covered segments by December 17, 2012. [49 CFR 192.921(d)]#

(E)E. Prior Assessment. An operator may use a prior integrity assessment conducted before December 17, 2002 as a baseline assessment for the covered segment, if the integrity assessment meets the baseline requirements in this Chapter and subsequent remedial actions to address the conditions listed in §3333 have been carried out. In addition, if an operator uses this prior assessment as its baseline assessment, the operator must reassess the line pipe in the covered segment according to the requirements of §3337 and §3339. [49 CFR 192.921(e)]#

(F)F. Newly-Identified Areas. When an operator identifies a new high consequence area (see §3305), an operator must complete the baseline assessment of the line pipe in the newly-identified high consequence area within 10 years from the date the area is identified. [49 CFR 192.921(f)]#

(G)G. Newly Installed Pipe. An operator must complete the baseline assessment of a newly-installed segment of pipe covered by this Subpart within 10 years from the date the pipe is installed. An operator may conduct a pressure test in accordance with Paragraph A.2 of this Section, to satisfy the requirement for a baseline assessment [49 CFR 192.921(g)] .#

(H)H. Plastic Transmission Pipeline. If the threat analysis required in §3317.D on a plastic transmission pipeline indicates that a covered segment is susceptible to failure from causes other than third-party damage, an operator must conduct a baseline assessment of the segment in accordance with the requirements of this Section and of §3317. The operator must justify the use of an alternative assessment method that will address the identified threats to the covered segment. [49 CFR 192.921(h)]#

(I)I. Baseline assessments for pipeline segments with a reconfirmed MAOP. An integrity assessment conducted in accordance with the requirements of § 2724.C may be used as a baseline assessment under this Section. [49 CFR 192.921(i)]#

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

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, Pipeline Division, LR 30:1277 (June 2004), amended LR 31:686 (March 2005), LR 33:484 (March 20007), LR 46:1599 (November 2020), amended by the Department of Conservation and Energy, Office of Enforcement, LR 51:1836 (November 2025).#