NTSB Safety Recommendation P-04-003

NTSB safety recommendation P-04-003.

TO THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION: Evaluate the need for a truck transportation standard to prevent damage to pipe, and, if needed, develop the standard and incorporate it in 49 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 192 and 195 for both natural gas and hazardous liquid line pipe.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 2004-07-01

Adopted Date: 2004-06-23

Overall Date Closed: 2015-04-08

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: 2015-04-08

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2011-10-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: We note PHMSA’s participation in the technical committee meetings related to the standard for truck transportation being developed by the API, which is expected to be published in mid-2012. We also note that, once PHMSA has reviewed this document, it may initiate rulemaking for incorporation by reference into the Federal regulations, possibly in summer 2013. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-04-3 is classified OPEN—ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE, pending completion of this action. Given the time that has elapsed since the issuance of this recommendation, we encourage PHMSA to adhere to this proposed timeline.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2009-09-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The NTSB notes that PHMSA monitored the research of the Pipeline Research Council International concerning the transportation of pipe by truck, which revealed no known examples of truck transportation related fatigue failures, and indicated that dynamic stresses induced on pipe transported by truck are up to two times greater than vibrations from transporting by rail. In addition, the NTSB is aware that the API is revising its standard, RP 5L, Specification for Line Pipe, to address this issue and anticipates completion of the revision in the first quarter of 2009. Because PHMSA intends to incorporate by reference the revised API standard by the end of 2009, Safety Recommendation P-04-3 is classified OPEN -- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE pending completion of this action. Safety Recommendations P-05-1 through -4, stated below, were issued on December 23, 2005, as a result of the NTSB’s study on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems in liquid pipelines.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2004-12-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board notes that RSPA will conduct a literature search and a comparison of U.S. standards with international standards for truck transportation of pipe, and if the literature search indicates that a standard for truck transportation is warranted, it will approach a standards-developing organization to develop a voluntary consensus standard. Specifically, by early 2005, RSPA will undertake a literature search to identify any problems with truck transportation of pipe, will document quantities of pipe transported by truck, rail, and marine vessels, will document in-service failures of pipe transported by truck, and will evaluate any domestic or international standards addressing this issue. This may be followed by some engineering vibration analysis to assess the risks of truck transportation, either alone or as a part of an overall transport including rail, marine, and truck segments. The Safety Board appreciates RSPA's plans to conduct a literature search, document failures and quantities of pipe transported by various means, and compare standards. Although a number of previous pipeline failures have been attributed to rail transportation fatigue, the same pipe also was transported in the field by truck. Therefore, the Board believes that an engineering analysis will be required in order to fully evaluate the possibility of fatigue crack initiation during truck transportation. Your letter only indicates that such an analysis may be performed, and that a voluntary consensus standard may be developed. The recommendation asks that a truck transportation standard (if needed) be incorporated into 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195 for both natural gas and hazardous liquid line pipe. This would be consistent with the present regulatory requirements for railroad and marine transportation of pipe. Therefore, the Board requests clarification of RSPA's plans for an engineering analysis and the potential for regulatory action on a pipe standard for truck transportation. Because of the positive actions that RSPA is planning to take, Safety Recommendation P-04-3 is classified OPEN -- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE pending further clarification.

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: 2014-01-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: We understand that PHMSA is currently addressing these recommendations through a rulemaking titled Pipeline Safety: Miscellaneous Changes to Pipeline Safety Regulations and that the final rule is expected to be published by the end of 2013, eliminating the exemption contained within Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 192.65 (thus satisfying Safety Recommendation P-04-1), and adopting API Recommended Practice 5LT, Recommended Practice for Truck Transportation of Line Pipe (thus satisfying Safety Recommendation P-04-3.) Pending timely publication of the final rule, Safety Recommendations P-04-1 and -3 remain classified OPEN—ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2015-04-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: We are pleased that, on January 5, 2015, you published the final rule titled Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates of Regulatory References to Technical Standards and Miscellaneous Amendments, adopting API Recommended Practice 5LT, Recommended Practice for Truck Transportation of Line Pipe, and that the new rule became effective March 6, 2015. This action satisfies Safety Recommendation P-04-3, which is classified CLOSED—ACCEPTABLE ACTION.

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: 2011-08-04

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: CC# 201100307: - From Cynthia L. Quarterman, Administrator: The safety recommendation P-04-3 recommends PHMSA "evaluate the need for a truck transportation standard to prevent damage to pipe and, if needed, develop the standard and incorporate it into regulations for both natural gas and hazardous liquid line pipe." PHMSA continues to be actively engaged in the technical committee meetings related to the standard for truck transportation being developed by the API. At the technical committee meeting in June 2011, it was determined that the truck transportation standard will have to be re-balloted again. Technical issues identified will be addressed and discussed at the next technical meeting in January 2012. It is unlikely the standard will be published until the middle of 2012. After the API standard has been published, PHMSA will review the standard and if appropriate, propose a rulemaking for incorporation by reference into the Federal regulations. The expected date of completion at this time is summer 2013.

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 conduct a literature search and a comparison of U. S. standards with international standards for truck transportation of pipe. If this research indicates that a standard for truck transportation is warranted, we will approach a standards-developing organization to develop a voluntary consensus standard. This data collection effort will help to define the scope of a possible regulatory action in 2005 on the transportation of pipe by truck. RSPA requests that NTSB Safety Recommendations P-04-3 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-04-03 asked that PHMSA evaluate the need for a truck transportation standard to prevent damage to pipe and, if needed, develop the standard and incorporate it into regulations for both natural gas and hazardous liquid line pipe. PHMSA closely monitored progress and the results of research sponsored by Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) on truck transportation gf pipe. We are satisfied with the approach of research, which indicated no known examples of truck transportation related fatigue failures. The research also indicated that dynamic stresses induced on pipe transported by truck are up to two times greater than vibrations from transporting by rail. The API 5L committee is developing a recommended practice (RP) for truck transportation of steel line pipe in follow up to the final PRCI report investigating transportation related fatigue. The RP is anticipated to be completed by the first quarter of 2009 and PHMSA intends to incorporate by reference the newly developed RP through a miscellaneous regulations update in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2013-08-29

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: -From Cynthia L. Quarterman, Administrator: PHMSA is addressing this NTSB recommendation through a NPRM titled “Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates of Regulatory References to Technical Standards and Miscellaneous Amendments.” Through this NPRM, PHMSA proposes to adopt API Recommended Practice 5LT, “Recommended Practice for Truck Transportation of Line Pipe” (First edition, March 1, 2012). The rulemaking is tentatively expected to be published in November 2013.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2015-01-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: -From Timothy P. Butters, Acting Administrator: PHMSA proposes to close this recommendation. On August 16, 2013, PHMSA published an NPRM titled "Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates of Regulatory References to Technical Standards and Miscellaneous Amendments," which proposed to adopt API Recommended Practice 5L T, "Recommended Practice for Truck Transportation of Line Pipe" (First edition, March 1, 2012). Comments closed for the NPRM on October 15, 2013. On January 5, 2015, PHMSA published the final rule adopting this standard which becomes effective on March 6, 2015. The final rule is available at http://Vvww.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-20 15-01-05/pdf/2014-30336.pdf.

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-O4-01 and P-04-02.