NTSB Safety Recommendation P-04-002

NTSB safety recommendation P-04-002.

TO THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION: Amend 49 Code of Federal Regulations to require that natural gas pipeline operators (Part 192) and hazardous liquid pipeline operators (Part 195) follow the American Petroleum Institute's recommended practice RP 5LW for transportation of pipe on marine vessels.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 2004-07-01

Adopted Date: 2004-06-23

Overall Date Closed: 2011-01-10

Synopsis: About 2:12 a.m., central daylight time, on July 4, 2002, a 34-inch-diameter steel pipeline owned and operated by Enbridge Pipelines, LLC ruptured in a marsh west of Cohasset, Minnesota. Approximately 6,000 barrels (252,000 gallons) of crude oil were released from the pipeline as a result of the rupture. No deaths or injuries resulted from the release. The cost of the accident was approximately $5.6 million, which includes the cost of cleanup and recovery, value of lost product, and damage to the property of the pipeline operator and others. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the July 4, 2002, pipeline rupture near Cohasset, Minnesota, was inadequate loading of the pipe for transportation that allowed a fatigue crack to initiate along the seam of the longitudinal weld during transit. After the pipe was installed, the fatigue crack grew with pressure cycle stresses until the crack reached a critical size and the pipe ruptured.

Probable Cause: The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the July 4, 2002, pipeline rupture near Cohasset, Minnesota, was inadequate loading of the pipe for transportation that allowed a fatigue crack to initiate along the seam of the longitudinal weld during transit. After the pipe was installed, the fatigue crack grew with pressure cycle stresses until the crack reached a critical size and the pipe ruptured.

Ntsbnumber: DCA02MP002

Report Number: PAR-04-01

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2011-01-10

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2011-01-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The NTSB is pleased that the August 11, 2010, issue of the Federal Register included an entry titled Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates of Regulatory References to Technical Standards and Miscellaneous Edits that adds language to the pipeline safety regulations, thus satisfying Safety Recommendation P-04-2. Specifically, API Recommended Practice (RP) 5LW (2nd edition 1996), which provides a standard for transportation of certain API Specification 5L steel line pipe by ship or barge on both inland and marine waterways, has been incorporated by reference within 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195. In addition, the RP is referenced in subsection 192.65 (a) and in subsection 195.207 (a) of API RP 5LW. These updates became effective on October 1, 2010. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-04-2 is classified CLOSED -- ACCEPTABLE ACTION.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2009-09-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The NTSB notes that the API standard RP 5LW Recommended Practice for Transportation of Line Pipe on Barges and Marine Vessels is nearing revision and that, when it is published, PHMSA will incorporate it by reference in what PHMSA refers to as a miscellaneous rulemaking. Pending completion of this effort, Safety Recommendation P-04-2 is classified OPEN -- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2004-12-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Because RSPA will soon publish a notice to seek information on how incorporation by reference of API's Recommended Practice 5LW for transportation of pipe on marine vessels would impact gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators, Safety Recommendation P-04-2 is classified OPEN -- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2008-03-18

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board notes that PHMSA intends to address incorporating the American Petroleum Institute’s recommended practice RP 5LW in its pending miscellaneous amendments proposal. The Board also notes that the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) is conducting research on the impact of truck transportation of pipe. The Board notes that, because PRCI’s work may not address rail transportation of gas pipelines, PHMSA is considering publishing a notice seeking information about the existing inventories of pre-1970 pipe being kept for repairs. Accordingly, pending receipt of further information from PHMSA regarding the status of these initiatives, Safety Recommendations P-04-1 through -3 are classified OPEN -- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2007-07-31

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 8/8/2007 2:24:08 PM MC# 2070395: - From Stacey L. Gerard, Assistant Administrator and Chief Safety Officer: PHMSA intends to address incorporating API RP 5LW in its miscellaneous amendments proposal, which it plans to issue late this year. The Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) is conducting research on the impact truck transportation of pipe. PRCI has a working draft which they are expected to complete by the end of 2007. Since it now appears that PRCI’s work will not address rail transportation of gas pipelines, PHMSA is considering publishing a notice seeking information of the existing inventions of pre-1970 pipe being kept for repairs.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2010-09-02

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: 201000360: - From Cynthia L. Quarterman, Administrator: A publication to the August 11, 2010 Federal Register entitled, “Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates of Regulatory References to Technical Standards and Miscellaneous Edits” adds language to the pipeline safety regulations which address this recommendation. API Recommended Practice 5LW (2nd edition 1996) will be newly incorporated by reference within Parts 192 and 195. Additionally, 5LW will be referenced in 192.65(a) and newly created 195.207(a). API RP 5LW provides a standard for transportation of certain API Specification 5L steel line pipe by ship or barge on both inland and marine waterways. The effective date of the final rule containing these updates is October 1, 2010. The Federal Register Notice containing these updates is available here: http://frwebgate2.access.gpo.gov/cgibin/PDFgate.cgi?WAISdocID=nvQTVx/1/2/0&WAISaction=retrieve As this rulemaking addresses the recommendation made by the NTSB, PHMSA requests the NTSB classify Safety Recommendation P-04-2 as “Closed- Acceptable Action.”

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2004-09-23

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 9/27/2004 10:47:25 AM MC# 2040589 - From Samuel G. Bonasso, Deputy Administrator of Research and Special Programs Administion: RSPA will soon publish a notice to seek information on how incorporation by reference of American Petroleum Institute's Recommended Practice 5LW (API RP SLW) for transportation of pipe on marine vessels would impact gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators. RSPA requests that NTSB Safety Recommendations P-04-2 be classified as "OPEN - Acceptable Response" while we pursue this action.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2008-12-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 12/10/2008 3:05:08 PM MC# 2080723: - From Rick Kowalewski, Acting Assistant Administrator and Chief Safety Officer: Safety recommendation P-04-02 asked that PHMSA amend regulations to require that natural gas pipeline operators and hazardous liquid operators follow API-recommended practice for transportation of pipe on marine vessels. PHMSA intends to incorporate the American Petroleum Institute’s (API’s) revised version of RP 5LW by reference in a miscellaneous rulemaking update once API completes the standard. The standard is expected to be completed by the end of 2008 and would at that time be considered for incorporation into our code through rulemaking.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2006-04-14

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: In its 4/14/2006 report to Congress, "National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and DOT Office of Inspector General (OIG): Open Safety Recommendations on Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety," the DOT wrote:In early 2006 PHMSA plans to meet with pipeline industry representatives lo either develop an approach to remove the exemption or develop an alternative action: Actions will be taken to address related recommendations P-04-01 and P-04-03.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2014-01-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2013-08-29

Communication Type: Official Correspondence