Definitions [49 CFR 192.3]

(A)A. As used in this Part:#

Abandoned―permanently removed from service.#

Active Corrosion―continuing corrosion that, unless controlled, could result in a condition that is detrimental to public safety.#

Administrator―the administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration or his or her delegate.#

Alarm―an audible or visible means of indicating to the controller that equipment or processes are outside operator-defined, safety-related parameters.#

Building―any structure in which gas can accumulate.#

Business―a permanent structure occupied for the express usage of wholesale or retail sales, services, the manufacture or storage of products, or a public building.#

Business District―an area of two or more businesses within 100 yards (300 feet) of each other and within 100 yards along the linear length of any gas pipeline. The district will extend 100 feet past the defined boundaries of the last business in the district.#

Close Interval Survey―a series of closely and properly spaced pipe-to-electrolyte potential measurements taken over the pipe to assess the adequacy of cathodic protection or to identify locations where a current may be leaving the pipeline that may cause corrosion and for the purpose of quantifying voltage (IR) drops other than those across the structure electrolyte boundary, such as when performed as a current interrupted, depolarized, or native survey.#

Commissioner―the Commissioner of Conservation or any person to whom he has delegated authority in the matter concerned.#

Composite Materials—materials used to make pipe or components manufactured with a combination of either steel and/or plastic and with a reinforcing material to maintain its circumferential or longitudinal strength.#

Control Room―an operations center staffed by personnel charged with the responsibility for remotely monitoring and controlling a pipeline facility.#

Controller―a qualified individual who remotely monitors and controls the safety-related operations of a pipeline facility via a SCADA system from a control room, and who has operational authority and accountability for the remote operational functions of the pipeline facility.#

Customer Meter―the meter that measures the transfer of gas from an operator to a customer.#

Distribution Center―the initial point where gas enters piping used primarily to deliver gas to customers who purchase it for consumption, as opposed to customers who purchase it for resale, for example:#

(a)a. at a metering location;#

(b)b. a pressure reduction location;#

(c)c. where there is a reduction in the volume of gas, such as a lateral off a transmission line; or#

(d)d. where downstream pipeline has a maximum allowable operating pressure established under §2719 by the operator below 20 percent SMYS and cannot be classified as a transmission line.#

Distribution Line―a pipeline other than a gathering or transmission line.#

Dry Gas or Dry Natural Gas―gas above its dew point and without condensed liquids.#

Electrical Survey―a series of closely spaced pipe-to-soil readings over pipelines which are subsequently analyzed to identify locations where a corrosive current is leaving the pipeline.#

Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA)—a documented analytical procedure based on fracture mechanics principles, relevant material properties (mechanical and fracture resistance properties), operating history, operational environment, in-service degradation, possible failure mechanisms, initial and final defect sizes, and usage of future operating and maintenance procedures to determine the maximum tolerable sizes for imperfections based upon the pipeline segment maximum allowable operating pressure.#

Entirely Replaced Onshore Transmission Pipeline Segments L—for the purposes of §§1139 and 2734, where 2 or more miles, in the aggregate, of onshore transmission pipeline have been replaced within any 5 contiguous miles of pipeline within any 24-month period. This definition does not apply to any gathering line.#

Exposed Underwater Pipeline―an underwater pipeline where the top of the pipe protrudes above the underwater natural bottom (as determined by recognized and generally accepted practices) in waters less than 15 feet (4.6 meters) deep, as measured from mean low water.#

Gas―natural gas, flammable gas, or gas which is toxic or corrosive.#

Gathering Line―a pipeline that transports gas from a current production facility to a transmission line or main.#

Gulf of America and its Inlets—the waters from the mean high water mark of the coast of the Gulf of America and its inlets open to the sea (excluding rivers, tidal marshes, lakes, and canals) seaward to include the territorial sea and Outer Continental Shelf to a depth of 15 feet (4.6 meters), as measured from the mean low water.#

Hard Spot―an area on steel pipe material with a minimum dimension greater than two inches (50.8 mm) in any direction and hardness greater than or equal to Rockwell 35 HRC (Brinell 327 HB or Vickers 345 HV10).#

Hazard to Navigation―for the purposes of this Part, a pipeline where the top of the pipe is less than 12 inches (305 millimeters) below the underwater natural bottom (as determined by recognized and generally accepted practices) in waters less than 15 feet (4.6 meters) deep, as measured from the mean low water.#

High Pressure Distribution System―a distribution system in which the gas pressure in the main is higher than the pressure provided to the customer.#

Line Section―a continuous run of transmission line between adjacent compressor stations, between a compressor station and storage facilities, between a compressor station and a block valve, or between adjacent block valves.#

Listed Specification―a specification listed in Section I of Appendix B of this Subpart.#

Low-Pressure Distribution System―a distribution system in which the gas pressure in the main is substantially the same as the pressure provided to the customer.#

Main―a distribution line that serves as a common source of supply for at least one service line.#

Master Meter System―a pipeline system for distributing gas within, but not limited to, a definable area such as a mobile home park, housing project, apartment complex or university, where the operator purchases meter gas from an outside source for resale through a gas pipeline system. The gas distribution pipeline system supplies the ultimate consumer who either purchases the gas directly through a meter or by other means, such as rents.#

Maximum Actual Operating Pressure―the maximum pressure that occurs during normal operations over a period of one year.#

Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP)―the maximum pressure at which a pipeline or segment of a pipeline may be operated under this Subpart.#

Moderate Consequence Area—#

(a)a. an onshore area that is within a potential impact circle, as defined in § 3303, containing either:#

(i)i. five or more buildings intended for human occupancy; or#

(ii)ii. any portion of the paved surface, including shoulders, of a designated interstate, other freeway, or expressway, as well as any other principal arterial roadway with 4 or more lanes, as defined in the Federal Highway Administration's Highway Functional Classification Concepts, Criteria and Procedures, Section 3.1 of the 2013 Edition (see: https:// www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/processes /statewide/related/highway_functional_classifications/fcauab.pdf), and that does not meet the definition of high consequence area, as defined in §3303;#

(b)b. the length of the moderate consequence area extends axially along the length of the pipeline from the outermost edge of the first potential impact circle containing either five or more buildings intended for human occupancy; or any portion of the paved surface, including shoulders, of any designated interstate, freeway, or expressway, as well as any other principal arterial roadway with 4 or more lanes, to the outermost edge of the last contiguous potential impact circle that contains either five or more buildings intended for human occupancy, or any portion of the paved surface, including shoulders, of any designated interstate, freeway, or expressway, as well as any other principal arterial roadway with four or more lanes.#

Municipality―a city, parish, or any other political subdivision of Louisiana.#

Natural Gas Distribution System―a company, municipality, or political subdivision that purchases or receives natural gas, and through its own intrastate pipeline system, distributes natural gas to end users in Louisiana such as residential, commercial, industrial, and wholesale customers, and shall include master meter systems.#

Non Rural Area―#

(a)a. an area within the limits of any incorporated city, town, or village;#

(b)b. any designated residential or commercial area such as a subdivision, business or shopping center, or community development;#

(c)c. any Class 3 or 4 location as defined in §503; or#

(d)d. any other area so designated by the commissioner.#

Notification of Potential Rupture—the notification to, or observation by, an operator of indicia identified in §2735 of a potential unintentional or uncontrolled release of a large volume of gas from a pipeline. This definition does not apply to any gathering line.#

Offshore―beyond the line of ordinary low water along that portion of the coast of the United States that is in direct contact with the open seas and beyond the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters.#

Operator―a person who engages in the transportation of gas.#

Outer Continental Shelf―all submerged lands lying seaward and outside the area of lands beneath navigable waters as defined in Section 2 of the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301) and of which the subsoil and seabed appertain to the United States and are subject to its jurisdiction and control.#

Person―any individual, firm, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association, state, municipality, cooperative association, or joint stock association, and including any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative thereof.#

Petroleum Gas―propane, propylene, butane, (normal butane or isobutanes), and butylene (including isomers), or mixtures composed predominantly of these gases, having a vapor pressure not exceeding 208 psi (1,434 kPa) gage at 100°F (38°C).#

Pipe―any pipe or tubing used in the transportation of gas, including pipe-type holders.#

Pipeline―all parts of those physical facilities through which gas moves in transportation, including pipe, valves, and other appurtenance attached to pipe, compressor units, metering stations, regulator stations, delivery stations, holders and fabricated assemblies.#

Pipeline Environment―includes soil resistivity (high or low), soil moisture (wet or dry), soil contaminants that may promote corrosive activity, and other known conditions that could affect the probability of active corrosion.#

Pipeline Facility―new and existing pipelines, rights-of-way, and any equipment, facility, or building used in the transportation of gas or in the treatment of gas during the course of transportation.#

Production Facility―piping or equipment used in the production, extraction, recovery, lifting, stabilization, separation or treating of hydrocarbons, or associated storage or measurement. (To be a production facility under this definition, piping or equipment must be used in the process of extracting hydrocarbons from the ground and preparing it for transportation by pipeline.)#

Public Building―a structure which members of the public may congregate such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, churches, civic centers, post offices, and federal, state and local government buildings.#

Rupture-Mitigation Valve (RMV)—an automatic shut-off valve (ASV) or a remote-control valve (RCV) that a pipeline operator uses to minimize the volume of gas released from the pipeline and to mitigate the consequences of a rupture. This definition does not apply to any gathering line.#

School System―a pipeline system for distributing natural gas to a public or private pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, elementary, secondary, or high school. Upon request for a revision of service by the school, or by the school system of which the school is a component, the local distribution company providing natural gas service to the school shall, within a reasonable period of time and upon mutual agreement, install a meter at the building wall of each building of the school that utilizes natural gas. The gas piping from the outlet of the meter to the inside of the building shall be installed above ground, and shall be maintained by the school in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The outside piping that is upstream of the meter to the outlet of the meter shall be owned and maintained by the local distribution company in accordance with minimum pipeline safety regulations. The pipeline system of a school that does not request a revision of service described by this Paragraph shall be deemed a special class system, and subject to the requirements of such system.#

Service Line―a distribution line that transports gas from a common source of supply to an individual customer, to two adjacent or adjoining residential or small commercial customers, or to multiple residential or small commercial customers served through a meter header or manifold. A service line ends at the outlet of the customer meter or at the connection to a customer's piping, whichever is further downstream, or at the connection to customer piping if there is no meter.#

Service Regulator―the device on a service line that controls the pressure of gas delivered from a higher pressure to the pressure provided to the customer. A service regulator may serve one customer or multiple customers through a meter header or manifold.#

SMYS―specified minimum yield strength is:#

(a)a. for steel pipe manufactured in accordance with a listed specification, the yield strength specified as a minimum in that specification; or#

(b)b. for steel pipe manufactured in accordance with an unknown or unlisted specification, the yield strength determined in accordance with §907.B.#

Special Class System―a pipeline system for distributing gas to a federal, state, or local government facility or a private facility performing a government function, where the operator receives or purchases gas from an outside source and distributes the gas through a pipeline system to more than one outlet (building) beyond the meter or regulator, which ultimate outlet may, but need not be, individually metered or charged a fee for the gas. Any exemption from pipeline safety regulation granted to master meter systems will apply to special class systems.#

State―each of the several states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.#

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System―a computer-based system or systems used by a controller in a control room that collects and displays information about a pipeline facility and may have the ability to send commands back to the pipeline facility.#

Transmission Line―a pipeline or connected series of pipelines, other than a gathering line, that:#

(a)a. transports gas from a gathering pipeline or storage facility to a distribution center, storage facility, or large volume customer that is not down-stream from a distribution center;#

(b)b. has an MAOP of 20 percent or more of SMYS;#

(c)c. transports gas within a storage field; or#

(d)d. is voluntarily designated by the operator as a transmission pipeline.#

NOTE:Note 1 to transmission line. A large volume customer may receive similar volumes of gas as a distribution center, and includes factories, power plants, and institutional users of gas.#

Transportation of Gas―the gathering, transmission, or distribution of gas by pipeline, or the storage of gas, in or affecting intrastate, interstate or foreign commerce.#

Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility—means a facility that stores natural gas in an underground facility incident to natural gas transportation, including:#

(a)a. a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir;#

(b)b. an aquifer reservoir; or#

(c)c. a solution-mined salt cavern reservoir, including associated material and equipment used for injection, withdrawal, monitoring, or observation wells, and wellhead equipment, piping, rights-of-way, property, buildings, compressor units, separators, metering equipment, and regulator equipment.#

Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility (UNGSF)—a gas pipeline facility that stores natural gas underground incidental to the transportation of natural gas, including:#

(a)a. a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir;#

(b)b. an aquifer reservoir; or#

(c)c. a solution-mined salt cavern#

(d)d. In addition to the reservoir or cavern, a UNGSF includes injection, withdrawal, monitoring, and observation wells; wellbores and downhole components; wellheads and associated wellhead piping; wing-valve assemblies that isolate the wellhead from connected piping beyond the wing-valve assemblies; and any other equipment, facility, right-of-way, or building used in the underground storage of natural gas.#

Weak Link—a device or method used when pulling polyethylene pipe, typically through methods such as horizontal directional drilling, to ensure that damage will not occur to the pipeline by exceeding the maximum tensile stresses allowed.#

Welder—a person who performs manual or semi-automatic welding.#

Welding Operator—a person who operates machine or automatic welding equipment.#

Wrinkle Bend―a bend in the pipe that:#

(a)a. was formed in the field during construction such that the inside radius of the bend has one or more ripples with:#

(i)i. an amplitude greater than or equal to 1.5 times the wall thickness of the pipe, measured from peak to valley of the ripple; or#

(ii)ii. with ripples less than 1.5 times the wall thickness of the pipe and with a wrinkle length (peak to peak) to wrinkle height (peak to valley) ratio under 12.#

(b)b. if the length of the wrinkle bend cannot be reliably determined, then wrinkle bend means a bend in the pipe where (h/D)*100 exceeds 2 when S is less than 37,000 psi (255 MPa), where (h/D)*100 exceeds (47000-S)/10000 +1 for psi [324-S/69+1 for MPa] when S is greater than 37,000 psi (255 MPa) but less than 47,000 psi (324 MPa), and where (h/D)*100 exceeds 1 when S is 47,000 psi (324 MPa) or more. Where D = Outside diameter of the pipe, in. (mm); h = Crest-to-trough height of the ripple, in. (mm); and S = Maximum operating hoop stress, psi (S/145, MPa).#

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 30:1224 (June 2004), amended LR 31:679 (March 2005), LR 33:474 (March 2007), LR 35:2800 (December 2009), LR 38:112 (January 2012), LR 44:1033 (June 2018), LR 45:68 (January 2019), LR 46:1577 (November 2020), LR 49:1099 (June 2023), LR 50:1246 (September 2024), amended by the Department of Conservation and Energy, Office of Enforcement, LR 51:1829 (November 2025).#