# WYCKOFF GAS STORAGE COMPANY, LLC — Notice of Amendment

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 12021036NOA
- **title:** WYCKOFF GAS STORAGE COMPANY, LLC — Notice of Amendment
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2021-07-09
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of amendment citing 192.12(c), 192.12(d)(4).
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-12021036noa
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/12021036NOA
**body:**

Notice of Amendment involving WYCKOFF GAS STORAGE COMPANY, LLC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 192.12(c),  192.12(d)(4). The case was opened on 2021-07-09 and is reported as closed as of 2021-11-09. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

12021036NOA_Closure Letter_11092021_(20-173832).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/12021036NOA/12021036NOA_Closure%20Letter_11092021_(20-173832).pdf

12021036NOA_Closure Letter_11092021_(20-173832)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/12021036NOA/12021036NOA_Closure%20Letter_11092021_(20-173832)_text.pdf

12021036NOA_Notice of Amendment_07092021_(20-173832).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/12021036NOA/12021036NOA_Notice%20of%20Amendment_07092021_(20-173832).pdf

12021036NOA_Notice of Amendment_07092021_(20-173832)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/12021036NOA/12021036NOA_Notice%20of%20Amendment_07092021_(20-173832)_text.pdf

12021036NOA_Operator Response to Notice_08052021_(20-173832).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/12021036NOA/12021036NOA_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice_08052021_(20-173832).pdf

12021036NOA_Closure Letter_11092021_(20-173832)_text.pdf

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: CharlesL@KFOC.net
November 9, 2021
Mr. Don Millican
Vice President/CFO
Wyckoff Gas Storage Company, LLC
6733 S. Yale Aveneue
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136
CPF 1-2021-036-NOA
Dear Mr. Millican:
From June 15, 2020 to June 18, 2020, representatives from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code, conducted a
virtual pipeline safety inspection of Wyckoff Gas Storage Company, LLC s (WGS) procedures for
conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness and responses activities. As a
result of the inspection, WGS was issued a Notice of Amendment on July 9, 2021, which proposed
amendment of your procedures.
WGS submitted its amended procedures on August 5, 2021. My staff reviewed the amended
procedures, and it appears that the inadequacies outlined in this Notice of Amendment have been
corrected.
This letter is to inform you no further action is necessary and this case is now closed. Thank you
for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Robert Burrough
Director, Eastern Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

12021036NOA_Notice of Amendment_07092021_(20-173832)_text.pdf

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: DonM@kfoc.net
July 9, 2021
Mr. Don Millican
Vice President/CFO
Wyckoff Gas Storage Company, LLC
6733 S. Yale Aveneue
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136
CPF 1-2021-036-NOA
Dear Mr. Millican:
From June 16, 2020 through June 18, 2020, representatives of the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code,
inspected Wyckoff Gas Storage Company, LLC’s (WGS) procedures for its Underground Gas
Storage Facility (UNGS) Program in Greenwood, New York.
On the basis of the inspection, PHMSA has identified the apparent inadequacies found within
WGS’s plans or procedures, as described below:
1. § 192.12 Underground natural gas storage facilities.
(a) …
(c) Procedural manuals. Each operator of a UNGSF must prepare
and follow for each facility one or more manuals of written procedures
for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness
and response activities under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
Each operator must keep records necessary to administer such
procedures and review and update these manuals at intervals not
exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. Each
operator must keep the appropriate parts of these manuals accessible
at locations where UNGSF work is being performed. Each operator
must have written procedures in place before commencing operations
or beginning an activity not yet implemented.



CPF 1-2021-036-NOA
WGS’s written procedures for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness
and response activities under § 192.12(b)1 were inadequate. Specifically, WGS’s Gas Operations
and Maintenance Manual, dated July 2019 (O&M Manual), lacked details for the operation of
underground natural gas storage fields with regard to various reporting requirements of 49 CFR
Part 191.
During the inspection, the PHMSA inspection team reviewed the O&M Manual. The inspection
team identified the following elements of the O&M Manual related to the reporting requirements
of 49 CFR Part 191 that were inadequate:
Reporting
1. The O&M Manual defined incidents on a pipeline but did not address incidents in
underground natural gas storage facilities. (§ 191.3)
2. The O&M Manual addressed immediate notifications of incidents, but did not address
incidents in underground natural gas storage facilities. (§ 191.5(a))
3. The O&M Manual addressed the 30-day incident report, but did not address incidents in
underground natural gas storage facilities. (§ 191.15(c))
4. The O&M Manual did not address underground natural gas storage facilities filing of
supplemental or revised reports. (§ 191.15(d))
5. The O&M Manual did not clearly require the filing of the annual report for underground
natural gas storage facilities. (§ 191.17(c))
6. The O&M Manual failed to include specific language for underground natural gas storage
facilities notifications (i.e. construction, conversions, change in entity, or acquisition or
divestiture). (§ 191.22(c))
7. The O&M Manual did not address safety related conditions for underground natural gas
storage facilities. (§ 191.23(a))
Therefore, WGS’s written procedures were inadequate regarding various reporting requirements
found in Part 191. WGS must revise its O&M Manual to address the deficiencies in reporting
procedures outlined above.
2. § 192.12 Underground natural gas storage facilities.
(a) …
(c) Procedural manuals. Each operator of a UNGSF must prepare
and follow for each facility one or more manuals of written procedures
for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness
and response activities under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
Each operator must keep records necessary to administer such
procedures and review and update these manuals at intervals not
exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. Each
1 § 192.12 Underground natural gas storage facilities.
(a) …
(b) Depleted hydrocarbon and aquifer reservoir UNGSFs.
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CPF 1-2021-036-NOA
operator must keep the appropriate parts of these manuals accessible
at locations where UNGSF work is being performed. Each operator
must have written procedures in place before commencing operations
or beginning an activity not yet implemented.
WGS’s written procedures for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness
and response activities under § 192.12(b) were inadequate. Specifically, WGS’s Natural Gas
Storage Integrity Management Program, dated 6/2/20 (IMP Manual), lacked sufficient details for
the operation of underground natural gas storage fields regarding various integrity monitoring
requirements found in API RP 1171, Section 9, Integrity Demonstration, Verification, and
Monitoring Practices (Section 9).
During the inspection, the PHMSA inspection team identified the following elements of the IMP
Manual related to Section 9 requirements that were inadequate:
Integrity Demonstration, Verification, and Monitoring Practices
1. The IMP Manual did not have any procedures to verify the functional integrity of the
reservoir. No hysteresis curve had been developed or was available, wherein WGS analyzed
pressure/volume data to determine reservoir integrity. (API RP1171, Section 9.2.1)
2. The IMP Manual did not have a procedure to develop integrity demonstration, verification,
and monitoring tasks. (API RP1171, Section 9.2.2)
3. The IMP Manual did not have a procedure to integrate well integrity evaluations into the risk
assessment program. (API RP1171, Section 9.3.1)
4. The IMP Manual did not have a procedure to request third party well integrity evaluation data
or explain how that data, once received, is reviewed, and incorporated into the Risk Management
program. (API RP 1171, Section 9.3.1)
5. The IMP Manual did not have a threshold requirement specified for annular pressure or
annular gas flow for observation wells, and therefore there is no follow up process for threshold
excursions. (API RP1171, Section 9.3.2)
6. The IMP Manual did not address addresses valve inspections in general. WGS stated that
they use their O&M Manual to address valve inspections, but the O&M Manual was silent on
this provision. (API RP1171, Section 9.3.2)
7. The IMP Manual did not have any procedure to require that all integrity related inspections,
tests, patrols, and analysis retained for the life of the facility. (API RP1171, Section 9.8.1)
Therefore, WGS’s written procedures required by § 192.12(c) were inadequate. WGS must revise
its procedures to address the deficiencies outlined above.
3. § 192.12 Underground natural gas storage facilities.
(a) …
(c) Procedural manuals. Each operator of a UNGSF must prepare
and follow for each facility one or more manuals of written procedures
for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness
and response activities under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
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CPF 1-2021-036-NOA
Each operator must keep records necessary to administer such
procedures and review and update these manuals at intervals not
exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. Each
operator must keep the appropriate parts of these manuals accessible
at locations where UNGSF work is being performed. Each operator
must have written procedures in place before commencing operations
or beginning an activity not yet implemented.
WGS’s written procedures for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness
and response activities under § 192.12(b) were inadequate. Specifically, WGS’s O&M Manual
and IMP Manual lacked sufficient details for the operation of underground natural gas storage
fields regarding various requirements of API RP 1171, Section 11 Procedures and Training
(Section 11).
During the inspection, the PHMSA inspection team reviewed the O&M Manual and IMP Manual.
The inspection team identified the following elements of the manuals related to Section 11
requirements that were inadequate:
Procedures and Training
1. The O&M Manual, page 35, IFR – Underground Gas Storage listed a general framework, but
did not specify detailed procedures for construction, operation, and maintenance to establish and
maintain functional integrity of the wells and reservoirs. (API RP 1171, Section 11.2.1)
2. The IMP Manual, Section 5 Records and Management of Change (MOC), presented a
framework and referenced WGS’s Control Room Management (CRM) procedure, but did not
include a detailed process for implementing UNGS changes in a controlled manner. (API RP
1171, Section 11.11.1). The MOC procedure in the CRM plan did not reference UNGS facilities.
Further, this MOC procedure had not been revised since 2015.
Therefore, WGS’s written procedures required by § 192.12(c) were inadequate. WGS must revise
its procedures to address the deficiencies outlined above.
4. § 192.12 Underground natural gas storage facilities.
(a) …
(c) Procedural manuals. Each operator of a UNGSF must prepare
and follow for each facility one or more manuals of written procedures
for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness
and response activities under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
Each operator must keep records necessary to administer such
procedures and review and update these manuals at intervals not
exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. Each
operator must keep the appropriate parts of these manuals accessible
at locations where UNGSF work is being performed. Each operator
must have written procedures in place before commencing operations
or beginning an activity not yet implemented.
WGS’s written procedures for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness
12021036NOA_Notice of Amendment_07092021_(20-173832)_text Page 4 of 8



CPF 1-2021-036-NOA
and response activities under § 192.12(b) were inadequate. Specifically, WGS’s Emergency
Response Plan, dated January 2020 (ERP), lacked sufficient details for the operation of
underground natural gas storage fields regarding various requirements of API RP 1171, Section
10, Site Security and Safety, Site Inspections, and Emergency Preparedness and Response (Section
10).
During the inspection, the PHMSA inspection team reviewed the ERP. The inspection team
identified the following elements of the ERP related to Section 10 requirements that were
inadequate:
Site Security and Safety, Site Inspections, and Emergency Preparedness and Response
1. The inspection team discussed the four specific topics that must be addressed in the
emergency preparedness/response plan. WGS’s ERP did not have the correct verbiage for all
four required elements; specifically, natural disasters, accidental releases, equipment failure, and
third-party emergencies are not covered. (API RP 1171, Section 10.6.1)
2. The ERP did not include a Blowout Contingency Plan. (API RP 1171, Section 10.6.1)
3. The ERP addressed training, but did not specify the required intervals and did not require
Table Top Exercises or In Person Drills to evaluate the plan for effectiveness. (API RP 1171,
Section 10.6.2)
Therefore, WGS’s written procedures required by § 192.12(c) were inadequate. WGS must revise
its procedures to address the deficiencies outlined above.
5. § 192.12 Underground natural gas storage facilities.
(a) …
(c) Procedural manuals. Each operator of a UNGSF must prepare
and follow for each facility one or more manuals of written procedures
for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness
and response activities under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
Each operator must keep records necessary to administer such
procedures and review and update these manuals at intervals not
exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. Each
operator must keep the appropriate parts of these manuals accessible
at locations where UNGSF work is being performed. Each operator
must have written procedures in place before commencing operations
or beginning an activity not yet implemented.
WGS’s written procedures for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness
and response activities under § 192.12(b)(1)2 were inadequate. Specifically, WGS’s O&M Manual
lacked sufficient details for the maintenance of underground natural gas storage fields regarding
various requirements of API RP 1171, Section 6, Integrity in Well Design & Construction (Section
2 § 192.12 Underground natural gas storage facilities.
(a) …
(b) Depleted hydrocarbon and aquifer reservoir UNGSFs. (1) Each UNGSF that uses a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir or an
aquifer reservoir for natural gas storage and was constructed after July 18, 2017, must meet all provisions of API RP 1171
(incorporated by reference, see §192.7), and paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, prior to commencing operations.
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CPF 1-2021-036-NOA
6).
During the inspection, the PHMSA inspection team reviewed the O&M Manual. The inspection
team identified the following elements of the manual related to Section 6 requirements that were
inadequate:
Integrity in Well Design & Construction
1. The O&M Manual did not have a provision to ensure that new or replaced wellheads allow
for full wellbore entry to the wellbore. (API RP1171, Section 6.2.2)
2. The O&M Manual did not have a provision to ensure that wells are equipped with valves that
provide isolation of the well from the pipeline system and allow for entry into the wellbore. (API
RP1171, Section 6.2.2)
3. The O&M Manual did not have a provision to ensure that the equipment attached to the well
is rated to exceed the maximum anticipated operating pressure. (API RP1171, Section 6.2.3)
4. The O&M Manual did not have a provision to ensure the use of API Technical Report 5C3
Calculating Performance Properties of Pipe Used as Casing or Tubing for casing designs. (API
RP1171, Section 6.3.1)
5. The O&M Manual did not have a provision to ensure that the casing connections can maintain
a gas seal under anticipated wellbore flow conditions and subsequent work. (API RP1171,
Section 6.3.7)
6. The O&M Manual did not have a provision to ensure that wells identified as having
compromised mechanical integrity requiring evaluation and responsive action with a timeframe
depending on severity of the integrity risk. (API RP1171, Section 6.6.1)
7. The O&M Manual did not have a provision requiring WGS to verify that personnel are
qualified to do work on wells. (API RP1171, Section 6.11.2)
Therefore, WGS’s written procedures required by § 192.12(c) were inadequate. WGS must revise
its procedures to address the deficiencies outlined above.
6. § 192.12 Underground natural gas storage facilities.
(a) …
(d) Integrity management program—
(1) …
(4) Integrity management procedures and recordkeeping. Each
UNGSF operator must establish and follow written procedures to carry
out its integrity management program under API RP 1171
(incorporated by reference, see § 192.7), section 8 (“Risk Management
for Gas Storage Operations”), and this paragraph (d). The operator
must also maintain, for the useful life of the UNGSF, records that
demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this paragraph (d).
This includes records developed and used in support of any
identification, calculation, amendment, modification, justification,
deviation, and determination made, and any action taken to implement
and evaluate any integrity management program element.
WGS’s written procedures for carrying out its integrity management program under API RP 1171,
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CPF 1-2021-036-NOA
Section 8 were inadequate. Specifically, WGS’s IMP Manual lacked sufficient details for carrying
out its integrity management program regarding various risk management requirements found in
API RP 1171, Section 8, Risk Management for Storage Operations (Section 8).
During the inspection, the PHMSA inspection team reviewed the IMP Manual. The inspection
team identified the following elements of the manual related to Section 8 requirements that were
inadequate:
Risk Management for Storage Operations
1. In reviewing the risk management process, it was identified that WGS used a self-developed
system. Their options consisted of ‘Probability Drivers’ and ‘Preventors’. Section 1.0 of the
IMP Manual, subsection II.ii.iv defined preventors as “… measures that completely eliminate
threat probability, consequence, or both. These could be measures such as use of emergency
shutoff devices, regular use of inhibitors, or other means of removing susceptibility to a specific
threat.” WGS’s scoring system was explained in P-192.12, Interim Final Rule, Procedure Step 4,
which stated “Probability Drivers and Indicators are scored from 0 to 10, with 10 equating to the
highest probability of occurrence. Probability Resistors and Preventors are scored from 0 to -10,
with -10 equating to complete elimination of the probability of occurrence... Consequences are
scored from 0 to 10 based on significance, with 0 equating to no significance or consequence and
10 equating to extremely high significance or consequence.” The IMP Manual lacked a detailed
and documented process involving subject matter experts required to eliminate any threat or
consequence. (API RP1171, Section 8.4.2).
2. Compliance staff indicated that a periodic risk assessment review was performed (annually);
however, the IMP Manual did not explicitly require this review. (API RP1171, Section 8.5.2)
3. The IMP Manual did not specify or describe a procedure to monitor the effectiveness of the
risk monitoring and risk management process. (API RP1171, Section 8.7.1)
Therefore, WGS’s written procedures required by § 192.12(d)(4) were inadequate. WGS must
revise its procedures to address each of the concerns outlined above.
Response to this Notice
This Notice is provided pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60108(a) and 49 C.F.R. § 190.206. Enclosed as
part of this Notice is a document entitled Response Options for Pipeline Operators in Enforcement
Proceedings.
Please refer to this document and note the response options. Be advised that all material you
submit in response to this enforcement action is subject to being made publicly available. If you
believe that any portion of your responsive material qualifies for confidential treatment under 5
U.S.C. 552(b), along with the complete original document you must provide a second copy of the
document with the portions you believe qualify for confidential treatment redacted and an
explanation of why you believe the redacted information qualifies for confidential treatment under
5 U.S.C. 552(b).
Following the receipt of this Notice, you have 30 days to submit written comments, revised
procedures, or a request for a hearing under §190.211. If you do not respond within 30 days of
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CPF 1-2021-036-NOA
receipt of this Notice, this constitutes a waiver of your right to contest the allegations in this Notice
and authorizes the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety to find facts as alleged in this Notice
without further notice to you and to issue an Order Directing Amendment. If your plans or
procedures are found inadequate as alleged in this Notice, you may be ordered to amend your plans
or procedures to correct the inadequacies (49 C.F.R. § 190.206). If you are not contesting this
Notice, we propose that you submit your amended procedures to my office within 30 days of
receipt of this Notice. This period may be extended by written request for good cause. Once the
inadequacies identified herein have been addressed in your amended procedures, this enforcement
action will be closed.
It is requested (not mandated) that Wyckoff Gas Storage Company, LLC maintain documentation
of the safety improvement costs associated with fulfilling this Notice of Amendment
(preparation/revision of plans, procedures) and submit the total to Robert Burrough, Director,
Eastern Region, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 840 Bear Tavern Road,
Suite 300, West Trenton, NJ 08628. In correspondence concerning this matter, please refer to CPF
1-2021-036-NOA and, for each document you submit, please provide a copy in electronic format
whenever possible. Smaller files may be emailed to robert.burrough@dot.gov. Larger files should
be sent on USB flash drive accompanied by the original paper copy to the Eastern Region Office.
Sincerely,
Robert Burrough
Director, Eastern Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Enclosure: Response Options for Pipeline Operators in Enforcement Proceedings
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