# PRODUCTS (SE) PIPE LINE CORPORATION — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 220115009
- **title:** PRODUCTS (SE) PIPE LINE CORPORATION — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2011-10-20
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 195.406(a)(2), 195.410(a)(1).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-220115009.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-220115009.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-220115009
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/220115009
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving PRODUCTS (SE) PIPE LINE CORPORATION. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 195.406(a)(2),  195.410(a)(1). The case was opened on 2011-10-20 and is reported as closed as of 2013-05-01. Proposed civil penalty: $21,200. Assessed civil penalty: $0. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

220115009_closure letter_05012013_.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220115009/220115009_closure%20letter_05012013_.pdf

220115009_closure letter_05012013_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220115009/220115009_closure%20letter_05012013_text.pdf

220115009_Final Order_02282013.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220115009/220115009_Final%20Order_02282013.pdf

220115009_Final Order_02282013_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220115009/220115009_Final%20Order_02282013_text.pdf

220115009_NOPV PCP PCO_10202011.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220115009/220115009_NOPV%20PCP%20PCO_10202011.pdf

220115009_NOPV_PCP_PCO_10202011_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220115009/220115009_NOPV_PCP_PCO_10202011_text.pdf

220115009_Operator_Response_Notice_11302011.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220115009/220115009_Operator_Response_Notice_11302011.pdf

220115009_closure letter_05012013_text.pdf

CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
May 1, 2013
Mr. Wayne Simmons
Vice President, Operations
Products Pipelines
Plantation Pipe Line Company
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.
500 Dallas Street, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77002
CPF 2-2011-5009
Dear Mr. Simmons:
On February 28, 2013, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) issued to Plantation Pipe Line Company (PPL) a
Final Order in the above-referenced case. The Order included a Compliance Order. OPS
withdrew the proposed civil penalty.
The Compliance Order required PPL to “... prepare a plan to confirm the maximum operating
pressure (MOP) of the Bremen-Knoxville Line (Line 8KX)...” The intent was that PPL must
not operate its Line 8KX above an MOP of 1440 psig without an approved plan from the
Director of the OPS Southern Region.
The OPS Southern Region received your correspondence dated April 24, 2013, in which you
stated PPL’s intent to maintain the MOP of Line 8KX at 1440 psig. You further stated,
“Should it be necessary to increase the MOP in the future, KM [PPL] will develop a plan and
submit it to the Director, Southern Region as required by the Order.”
Your actions make the plan required by the Compliance Order moot at this point. Therefore,
we have closed this case with the understanding (as stated in your letter) that Line 8KX will
operate at an MOP of 1440 psig or less and that PPL will develop a plan and submit it to the
Director, OPS Southern Region as required by the Compliance Order if the need to raise the
MOP above 1440 psig occurs at any time in the future. That is, the terms of the Compliance
Order survive this case closure for PPL [KM] or any future operator of the pipeline.



Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Wayne T. Lemoi
Director, Office of Pipeline Safety
PHMSA Southern Region

220115009_NOPV PCP PCO_10202011.pdf

of Transportatior
J.S. Deparimen
233 Peachtree Street Ste. 600
Atlanta, GA 30303
Pipeline and
Administration
Hazardous Materials Safely
NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION
PROPOSED CIVIL PENALTY
and
PROPOSED COMPLIANCE ORDER
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
October 20, 2011
Mr. Ron McClain
Vice President
Plantation Pipe Line Company
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.
500 Dallas Street, Suite 100
Houston, TX 770022
CPF 2-2011-5009
Dear Mr. McClain:
On August 15-18, 2011, a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code inspected the
Plantation Pipe Line Company (PPL) refined petroleum products pipeline from Bremen,
Georgia, to Knoxville, Tennessee (Line 8KX). PPL is a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy
Partners, L.P.
As a result of the inspection, it appears that PPL has committed probable violations of the
Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The items inspected and
the probable violations are:
1. §195.406 Maximum Operating Pressure (MOP).
(a) Except for surge pressures and other variations from normal operations, no
operator may operate a pipeline at a pressure that exceeds any of the following:
...(2) The design pressure of any other component on the pipeline.
PPL did not properly establish the maximum operating pressure (MOP) of the Bremen-
Knoxville Line (Line 8KX) because the MOP provided by PPL at the time of the
inspection exceeded the design pressure of pipeline components.



PPL established the MOP for the above-referenced pipeline as 1,480 psig. During the
PHMSA field inspection, the inspector observed that mainline valves throughout the
system had design MOPs of 1,440 psig (per the manufacturer's ID plates). Photos of
manufacturer's ID plates, stating a design MOP of 1,440 psig were taken at a
representative valve.
2. 8195.410 Right-of-Way Markers
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each operator shall place and
maintain line markers over each buried pipeline in accordance with the
following:
(1) Markers must be located at each public road crossing, at each railroad crossing,
and in sufficient number along the remainder of each buried line so that its
location is accurately known
PPL did not place line markers in sufficient number along the buried pipeline so that its
location was accurately known.
Right-of-way (ROW) markers were missing, damaged, or not visible at several locations.
During the inspection, the inspector observed that there were no line markers along the
ROW at the Southern Railroad crossing. Furthermore, line markers were not in sufficient -
numbers to adequately identify the location of the pipeline upstream or downstream of
Little Armuchee Creek or upstream or downstream of Highway 11 (County Road 331).
Proposed Civil Penalty
Under 49 United States Code, § 60122, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed
$100,000 for each violation for each day the violation persists up to a maximum of
$1,000,000 for any related series of violations. The Compliance Officer has reviewed the
circumstances and supporting documentation involved in the above probable violations and
has recommended that you be preliminarily assessed a civil penalty of $21,200 as follows:
Item number
PENALTY
$21,200
Warning Items
With respect to item 2 we have reviewed the circumstances and supporting documents
involved in this case and have decided not to conduct additional enforcement action or
penalty assessment proceedings at this time. We advise you to promptly correct this item. Be
advised that failure to do so may result in Plantation Pipe Line Company being subject to
additional enforcement action.
Proposed Compliance Order
With respect to item 1, pursuant to 49 United States Code § 60118, the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposes to issue a Compliance Order to
Plantation Pipe Line Company. Please refer to the Proposed Compliance Order, which is
enclosed and made a part of this Notice.
2



Response to this Notice
Enclosed as part of this Notice is a document entitled Response Options for Pipeline
Operators in Compliance 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). If you do not
respond within 30 days of 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 a Final
Order.
In your correspondence on this matter, please refer to CPF 2-2011-5009 and for each
document you submit, please provide a copy in electronic format whenever possible.
Sincerely,
PHMSA Southern Region
Enclosures: Proposed Compliance Order
Response Options for Pipeline Operators in Compliance Proceedings



PROPOSED COMPLIANCE ORDER
Pursuant to 49 United States Code § 60118, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Compliance Order incorporating the following remedial requirements to ensure the
Administration (PHMSA) proposes to issue to Plantation Pipe Line Company (PPL) a
1. In regard to Item Number 1 of the Notice pertaining to the failure of PPL to properly
"Line 8KX), PPL must prepare a plan to properly establish the MOP of the reference‹
establish the maximum operating pressure (MOP) of the Bremen-Knoxville Line
pipe line within 120 days of the receipt of this Order. The plan must meet the regulations
in $195.406.
2. PPL must submit the plan described in Item 1 above to the Director, PHMSA Southern
Region for review and approval not later than 60 days after the receipt of this Order.
3. It is requested (not mandated) that PPL maintain documentation of the safety
improvement costs associated with fulfilling this Compliance Order and submit the total
to Wayne T. Lemoi, Director, Southern Region, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration. It is requested that these costs be reported in two categories: 1)-total cost
associated with preparation/revision of plans, procedures, studies and analyses, and 2)
total cost associated with replacements, additions, and other changes to pipeline
infrastructure.
4.

220115009_closure letter_05012013_.pdf

U.S. Department
233 Peachtree Street Ste. 600
of Transportation
Atlanta, GA 30303
Pipeline and
Administration
Hazardous Materials Safety
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
May 1, 2013
Mr. Wayne Simmons
Vice President, Operations
Products Pipelines
Plantation Pipe Line Company
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.
500 Dallas Street, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77002
CPF 2-2011-5009
Dear Mr. Simmons:
On February 28, 2013, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) issued to Plantation Pipe Line Company (PPL) a
Final Order in the above-referenced case. The Order included a Compliance Order. OPS
withdrew the proposed civil penalty.
The Compliance Order required PPL to "... prepare a plan to confirm the maximum operating
pressure (MOP) of the Bremen-Knoxville Line (Line 8KX)... " The intent was that PPL must
not operate its Line 8KX above an MOP of 1440 psig without an approved plan from the
Director of the OPS Southern Region.
The OPS Southern Region received your correspondence dated April 24, 2013, in which you
stated PPL's intent to maintain the MOP of Line 8KX at 1440 psig. You further stated,
"Should it be necessary to increase the MOP in the future, KM [PPL] will develop a plan and
submit it to the Director, Southern Region as required by the Order."
Your actions make the plan required by the Compliance Order moot at this point. Therefore,
we have closed this case with the understanding (as stated in your letter) that Line 8K X will
operate at an MOP of 1440 psig or less and that PPL will develop a plan and submit it to the
Director, OPS Southern Region as required by the Compliance Order if the need to raise the
MOP above 1440 psig occurs at any time in the future. That is, the terms of the Compliance
Order survive this case closure for PPL [KM] or any future operator of the pipeline.



Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Director, Office of Pipeline Safety
PHMSA Southern Region

220115009_Final Order_02282013_text.pdf

FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Mr. Ron McClain
Vice President, Operations
Plantation Pipe Line Company
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.
500 Dallas Street, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 770022
Re: CPF No. 2-2011-5009
Dear Mr. McClain:
Please find enclosed the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes a finding of
violation and specifies actions that need to be taken by Plantation Pipe Line Company to comply
with the pipeline safety regulations. The Final Order withdraws the proposed civil penalty.
When the terms of the compliance order have been completed, as determined by the Director,
Southern Region, this enforcement action will be closed. Service of the Final Order by certified
mail is effective upon the date of mailing as provided under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey D. Wiese
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Enclosure
cc: Ms. Catherine D. Little, Hunton & Williams LLP, Bank of America Plaza, Suite 4100
600 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308
Mr. Wayne Lemoi, Director, Southern Region, OPS
Mr. Alan Mayberry, Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations, OPS
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590
___________________________________
In the Matter of )
Plantation Pipe Line Company, ) CPF No. 2-2011-5009
)
)
)
Respondent. )
___________________________________ )
FINAL ORDER
On August 15–18, 2011, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60117, a representative of the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS),
conducted an on-site pipeline safety inspection of the Bremen-Knoxville pipeline (Line 8KX)
operated by Plantation Pipe Line Company (Plantation or Respondent). Plantation is a
subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. and operates approximately 3,100 miles of
pipeline transporting refined petroleum products from Louisiana to the Washington, D.C. area.1
As a result of the inspection, the Director, Southern Region, OPS (Director), issued a Notice of
Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty, and Proposed Compliance Order (Notice) to
Respondent by letter dated October 20, 2011. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the
Notice alleged that Plantation violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.406 and proposed a civil penalty of
$21,200 for the alleged violation. The Notice further proposed certain corrective action to
remediate the alleged violation. The Notice included an additional warning item.
Plantation responded to the Notice by letter dated November 30, 2011. Respondent contested the
alleged violation and requested a hearing. On June 18, 2012, Respondent submitted pre-hearing
materials that included additional evidence. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.211, a hearing
was held on June 27, 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia, before the Presiding Official from the Office of
Chief Counsel, PHMSA. After the hearing, Respondent provided a post-hearing submission
dated July 27, 2012.
FINDING OF VIOLATION
The Notice alleged in Item 1 that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.406(a)(2), which states:
1 This information is reported by Plantation for calendar year 2011 pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 195.49.



2
§ 195.406 Maximum operating pressure.
(a) Except for surge pressures and other variations from normal
operations, no operator may operate a pipeline at a pressure that exceeds
any of the following . . .
(2) The design pressure of any other component of the pipeline.
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.406(a)(2) by operating its pipeline
at a pressure that exceeded the design pressure of a component of the pipeline. Specifically, the
Notice alleged that Respondent operated the Bremen-Knoxville pipeline (Line 8KX) with a
maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 1480 psig even though several mainline valves on the
pipeline had a design pressure of only 1440 psig.
In its written submissions and at the hearing, Respondent acknowledged that the five mainline
valves at issue were purchased in 1985 with an original design pressure of 1440 psig established
by the manufacturer. Respondent contended, however, that it had established an independent
design pressure of 1480 psig in 1989, as permitted by a regulatory interpretation issued by
PHMSA’s predecessor agency in 1981. Respondent produced company records and consensus
standards from 1988 and 1989 to support its contention that it had used standard ANSI B16.5
(1981), which listed a design pressure rating of 1480 psig for these types of valves, and then
verified that the valves could be safely operated at 1480 psig by performing a hydrostatic test.
Respondent produced a written plan for the test it had prepared in 1988, which Respondent
explained was intended to support a modification of MOP to 1480 psig. According to
Respondent, the written plan demonstrated that Plantation “utilized sound engineering principles
in relying on the recognized consensus standard ANSI B16.5 for the appropriate pressure rating
of the Class 600 flanged fittings, in order to develop the parameters of the hydrotest.”2 In May
2012, Respondent communicated by email with the manufacturer of the valves and received
confirmation that the valves are “suitable for 1480 psig service.”3 Notwithstanding its belief that
MOP never exceeded design pressure, Respondent agreed to reduce MOP to 1440 psig pending
the outcome of this proceeding.
At the hearing, OPS acknowledged that under the 1981 interpretation, an operator may establish
an independent design pressure that is different than the pressure rating established by the
manufacturer. After reviewing Respondent’s documentation at the hearing, however, OPS
opposed Respondent’s claim that it had performed actions necessary to establish an independent
design pressure for the valves in question. Specifically, the Director asserted that Respondent
had performed a routine hydrostatic test for purposes of establishing MOP—a test that under the
regulations was not intended to establish an independent design pressure for the valves.
The applicable regulatory requirements are as follows. Section 195.406(a)(2) states that MOP
may not exceed the design pressure of any pipeline component, such as a valve. The regulations
2 Plantation Post-hearing Submission, at 5.
3 Plantation Post-hearing Submission, Exhibit 3.



3
in Part 195, Subpart C (“Design Requirements”), do not specify a precise formula for calculating
design pressure for valves like they do for the design pressure of line pipe.4 Rather, design
requirements for valves are contained in § 195.116, which states that each valve must be, among
other things: of sound engineering design; hydrostatically shell tested and hydrostatically seat
tested without leakage to at least the requirements set forth in Section 11 of API Standard 6D
(incorporated by reference, see § 195.3); and marked with the class designation or maximum
working pressure to which the valve may be subjected.5
The hydrostatic shell and seat tests required by § 195.116 to establish maximum working
pressure, or design pressure, are based on the class and size of the particular valve.6 For
example, Section 11 of API Standard 6D (2009) states that the hydrostatic shell test of an eight-
inch valve must be at least 1.5 times the pressure rating determined in accordance with ASME
B16.34 (2004) for at least five minutes.
7 The hydrostatic seat test must be at least 1.1 times the
rating under ASME B16.34 for at least five minutes. These tests are required to confirm that
each valve to be installed on a pipeline will be safe to operate at the design pressure established
by the manufacturer and marked on the valve.8
At the hearing, it was not disputed that the manufacturer of the five valves in question had
hydrostatically shell and seat tested them to the specifications necessary to establish a design
pressure of 1440 psig in accordance with § 195.116. Since the original design pressure of each
valve was 1440 psig, § 195.406(a)(2) prohibits MOP from exceeding 1440 psig unless the
operator had independently established a higher design pressure for the valves.
In 1981, PHMSA’s predecessor agency, the Materials Transportation Bureau (MTB) issued a
written interpretation of § 195.406(a)(2) concerning the design pressure of components for
calculating MOP. In response to a question about whether the regulation permits operators to
use a design pressure that exceeds the pressure rating established by the manufacturer of a valve,
MTB stated that the manufacturer’s pressure rating is not necessarily an implied limit. The
interpretation continued:
Although sound design principles may require that a manufacturer’s
pressure rating and applicable factors in consensus standards be
considered in determining the design pressure of a component, a pipeline
operator is free under Part 195 to use equally sound principles to derive an
independent design pressure.
4 Under § 195.106, the design pressure for pipe is determined in accordance with the formula: P=(2 St/D )× E × F.
5 There has been no allegation that Respondent violated § 195.116, but the requirement is relevant to determining
whether operating pressure exceeded the design pressure of the valves in question.
6 Section 11 states that valves must be tested “prior to shipment.”
7 ASME B16.34 (2004) currently recognizes a pressure rating for Class 600 valves of 1480 psig. At the hearing,
witnesses commented that in the 1980s, API Standard 6D rated Class 600 valves at 1440 psig, while other standards
rated them at 1480 psig. Sometime during the 1990s, API Standard 6D began rating Class 600 valves at 1480 psig.
8 Sections 195.406(a)(2) and 195.116 have not changed substantively since the 1980s, except that more recent
versions of API Standard 6D have been incorporated.



4
MTB noted that although there is no regulation explicitly stating the actions required to establish
an independent design pressure above a manufacturer’s rating, the appropriateness of the tests or
calculations used by the operator to determine a safe design pressure would be judged by the
agency according to “sound engineering principles and practices.” MTB stated further that
“[i]nclusion of particular principles or practices in a generally recognized consensus standard,
regardless of whether the document is referenced in Part 195, would be a heavy factor to weigh
in making a judgment about the appropriateness of an operator’s tests or calculations.”
At the hearing, the parties disagreed as to whether Respondent had used “equally sound [design]
principles” in 1989 to establish an independent design pressure for the valves.
Respondent contended that the regulations in Part 195 are performance-based requirements and
that neither the regulation nor the 1981 interpretation define the term “equally sound [design]
principles” for purposes of deriving an independent design pressure. Therefore, Respondent
argued, the performance-based requirements warrant deferring to the operator’s engineering
judgment. Respondent contended that it had used sound engineering principles and practices
consistent with generally recognized consensus standards in 1989 when it relied on ANSI B16.5,
which listed a pressure rating of 1480 psig for Class 600 flanged valves. Respondent then
verified the valves could safely be operated at 1480 psig using a hydrostatic test.9
Respondent also argued against finding that “equally sound [design] principles” means the same
engineering analyses performed at the time of manufacture. Respondent noted that Section 11 of
API Standard 6D only requires hydrostatic shell and seat testing “prior to shipment” by the
manufacturer. Respondent contended that operators are limited in their ability to perform certain
testing of valves after installation.
Based on the evidence that has been presented in the record and at the informal hearing, I agree
that when establishing an independent design pressure for valves using “equally sound [design]
principles,” it may not always be possible to employ precisely the same methods required under
§ 195.116 for establishing the original design pressure prior to shipment. For example, both
parties at the hearing acknowledged that performing a hydrostatic seat test, with the valves
empty and in the closed position, may be difficult for valves installed on an operational pipeline.
Notwithstanding, I find that “equally sound” methods must be as close as practicable to the
methods required under the regulation for establishing the original design pressure, unless the
operator can demonstrate an alternative method provides an equivalent level of safety. This
conclusion is warranted because the regulations do not permit a lower threshold of safety for
valves that will be allowed to operate at a higher pressure than originally intended. As § 195.116
demonstrates, operators may not rely solely on the calculations and formulas supporting a
consensus standard rating to establish the maximum design pressure of a valve. The applicable
regulations require further testing of “each valve” to ensure the valve is safe at the rating
selected.
9 The hydrostatic test performed in 1989 was with the valves in the open position, also referred to as a shell test.



5
In the present case, it was prudent for Respondent to rely on a consensus standard rating for the
Class 600 flanged valves. The general suitability of Class 600 valves, as later confirmed by the
manufacturer, was certainly relevant to the establishment of an independent design pressure. But
a consensus standard rating is not a sole basis for a valve’s design pressure. Employing “equally
sound [design] principles” to establish an independent design pressure, Respondent should have,
at a minimum, performed a hydrostatic shell test of the valves in accordance with design
requirements in effect at the time, that is, a hydrostatic test of at least 1.5 times the intended
rating for at least five minutes.
10
The hydrostatic test performed by Respondent to support a modification of MOP did not reach or
sustain 1.5 times the rating of 1480 psig, or 2220 psig, for at least five minutes at each valve.
According to the written test plan, the range of proposed test pressures at some locations were at
or above 2220 psig, but some valves had a proposed test pressure that ranged as low as 1850
psig, which is only 1.25 times the intended valve rating.11 In addition, documentation submitted
by Respondent shows that actual test pressure on the valves “ranged between 1970 psig
minimum to a 2107 psig maximum” for a 12.53-hour period.12 The test performed by
Respondent was not sufficient to establish an independent design pressure because the
regulations require, at a minimum, testing of valves to a higher pressure.
For the reasons stated above, I decline to find that Respondent established an independent design
pressure of 1480 psig in 1989 for the valves in question. Since the design pressure of each valve
was 1440 psig, § 195.406(a)(2) prohibits MOP from exceeding that pressure.
Accordingly, based upon a review of all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated
49 C.F.R. § 195.406(a)(2) by operating its pipeline with an MOP of 1480 psig, which exceeded
the design pressure of several valves on the pipeline.
For the reasons set forth below, this finding of violation will not be considered a prior offense in
any subsequent enforcement action taken against Respondent.
ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY
Under 49 U.S.C. § 60122, Respondent is subject to an administrative civil penalty not to exceed
$100,000 per violation for each day of the violation, up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any
related series of violations.13
10 Section 5.2 of API Standard 6D (1977), incorporated by reference in § 195.116 (1989).
11 See Plantation Pre-hearing Submission, Exhibit B.
12 Response, Letter from Milbar Hydro-test Inc. to Plantation dated Aug. 31, 1989.
13 Subsequent to the inspection in this case, the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of
2011, Pub. L. No. 112-90, § 2(a), 125 Stat. 1905, increased the civil penalty liability for a pipeline safety violation to
$200,000 per violation for each day up to a maximum of $2,000,000 for a related series of violations



6
In determining the amount of a civil penalty under 49 U.S.C. § 60122 and 49 C.F.R. § 190.225, I
must consider the following criteria: the nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation,
including adverse impact on the environment; the degree of Respondent’s culpability; the history
of Respondent’s prior offenses; the Respondent’s ability to pay the penalty and any effect that
the penalty may have on its ability to continue doing business; and the good faith of Respondent
in attempting to comply with the pipeline safety regulations. In addition, I may consider the
economic benefit gained from the violation without any reduction because of subsequent
damages, and such other matters as justice may require.
The Notice proposed a civil penalty of $21,200 for operating a pipeline at a pressure that
exceeded the design pressure of a component in violation of § 195.406(a)(2).
With regard to the nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation, operating a pipeline at a
pressure exceeding the design pressure of a valve could potentially result in failure of the valve.
This could cause a leak or rupture and escape of hazardous liquids, which threatens persons,
property, and the environment. Fortunately, in this case there is no indication that one of the
valves experienced a failure during the period from 1989 to 2011.
With regard to culpability and good faith, I find as alleged that Respondent was cognizant of the
regulatory requirement and made an effort to comply with that requirement by consulting a
consensus standard for the rating of Class 600 flanged valves and performing a hydrostatic test
of the entire pipeline based on that rating.
14
With regard to history of prior offenses, the Violation Report noted that two final orders were
issued to Respondent in 2009. The company did not assert that the proposed penalty would have
an effect on its ability to continue doing business.
Under other matters as justice may require, I have considered Respondent’s argument that it
should not be punished for failing to comply with a definition of sound engineering principles
that had not been previously articulated.
Respondent’s contention that an agency may not announce or clarify regulatory interpretations
through enforcement is rejected. Agencies have discretion to set forth regulatory interpretations
by rulemaking or by adjudication.15 With respect to the civil penalty in this case, however,
PHMSA finds it would not be appropriate to penalize Respondent for a violation of a design
standard that, while explicit in the regulations for valves at the time of manufacture, was less
than clear for valves already installed on an operational pipeline. For example, Section 5.1 of
API Standard 6D (1977), incorporated by reference in § 195.116 (1989), specified that certain
testing shall be performed “prior to shipment from the manufacturer’s works.” While it is
14 See Pipeline Safety Violation Report at 5-6 (Oct. 21, 2011).
15 NLRB v. Bell Aerospace Co., 416 U.S. 267, 292–94 (1974) (finding that prior case law dictates that the agency is
“not precluded from announcing new principles in an adjudicative proceeding and that the choice between
rulemaking and adjudication lies in the first instance within the [agency’s] discretion”) (citing SEC v. Chenery
Corp., 332 U.S. 194, 202 (1947) and NLRB v. Wyman-Gordon Co., 394 U.S. 759 (1969)).



7
reasonable to conclude that “equally sound [design] principles” for establishing an independent
design pressure must be as close as practicable to the methods for establishing the original design
pressure to ensure an equivalent level of safety, that requirement was not stated with enough
clarity in the regulation or the 1981 interpretation to warrant a civil penalty here. The present
case appears to be the first instance in which PHMSA has adjudicated this particular issue.
Accordingly, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria, I withdraw the
proposed civil penalty. In addition, the violation will not be considered a prior offense in any
subsequent enforcement action taken against Respondent.
COMPLIANCE ORDER
The Notice proposed a compliance order with respect to the violation cited above. Under
49 U.S.C. § 60118(a), each person who engages in the transportation of hazardous liquids by
pipeline or who owns or operates a pipeline facility is required to comply with the applicable
safety standards established under chapter 601.
Pursuant to the authority of 49 U.S.C. § 60118(b) and 49 C.F.R. § 190.217, Respondent is
ordered to take the following actions to ensure compliance with the pipeline safety regulations
applicable to its operations:
1. Prepare a plan to confirm the maximum operating pressure (MOP) of the Bremen-
Knoxville Line (Line 8KX), with the actions required by the plan to be completed within
60 days of the Director’s approval of the plan. The plan must meet applicable pipeline
safety requirements in 49 C.F.R. Part 195, including § 195.406.
2. Submit the plan to the Director, Southern Region, for review and approval within 60 days
of the receipt of this Order.
3. Maintain an MOP on Line 8KX that is no higher than 1440 psig unless and until the
Director has approved the plan submitted pursuant to this Order and Plantation has
completed actions pursuant to the plan that confirm a higher MOP.
4. It is requested that Plantation maintain documentation of the safety improvement costs
associated with fulfilling this Compliance Order and submit the total to the Director,
Southern Region. It is requested that these costs be reported in two categories: (1) total
cost associated with preparation/revision of plans, procedures, studies and analyses; and
(2) total cost associated with replacements, additions, and other changes to pipeline
infrastructure.
The Director may grant an extension of time to comply with any of the required items upon a
written request timely submitted by Plantation demonstrating good cause for an extension.



8
Failure to comply with this Order may result in the administrative assessment of civil penalties
not to exceed $200,000 for each violation for each day the violation continues or in referral to the
Attorney General for appropriate relief in a district court of the United States.
WARNING ITEM
With respect to Item 2, the Notice alleged a probable violation of Part 195 and specifically
considered this to be a warning item. The warning was for:
49 C.F.R. § 195.410(a)(1) – Respondent’s alleged failure to have line markers over
buried pipelines at each public road crossing, at each railroad crossing, and in sufficient
number along the remainder of the buried line so that its location is accurately known.
The Notice alleged there were no line markers along the right-of-way at the Southern
Railroad crossing, and markers were not in sufficient numbers to identify the location of
the pipeline upstream and downstream of Little Armuchee Creek or Highway 11 (County
Road 331).
If a violation of this provision is identified in the future, Respondent may be subject to additional
enforcement.
Under 49 C.F.R. § 190.215, Respondent may submit a petition for reconsideration of this Final
Order to the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
East Building, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20590, no later than 20 days after receipt of the Final
Order by the Respondent. Any petition submitted must contain a brief statement of the issue(s)
and meet all other requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 190.215. The terms of the order, including the
corrective action, remain in effect upon the filing of a petition, unless the Associate
Administrator, upon request, grants a stay.
The terms and conditions of this Final Order are effective upon service in accordance with
49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
___________________________________ ________________________
Jeffrey D. Wiese Date Issued
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
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