COLUMBIA GULF TRANSMISSION, LLC — Warning Letter

220141005W_warning letter_09232014_text.pdf, page 1Official PDFWARNING LETTER CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED September 23, 2014 Mr. Shawn L. Patterson President Columbia Gulf Transmission Company 1700 MacCorkle Avenue, SE Charleston, WV 25314 CPF 2-2014-1005W Dear Mr. Patterson: On September 23, 2014, Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC (CGT) submitted an “Operator Registry Notification” (Form PHMSA F 1000.2) to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) electronically through the National Registry of Pipeline and LNG Operators at http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov. The notification advised PHMSA of CGT’s intent to modify station piping, valves, launchers/receivers, and other equipment and facilities at multiple compressor stations along line 200 and 300 to enable bi-directional flow capability. These compressor stations are located in Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. As a result of this late submittal, it appears that CGT has committed a probable violation of the Pipeline Safety Regulations, in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The probable violation is as follows: 1. § 191.22 National Registry of Pipeline and LNG Operators. … (c) Changes. Each operator must notify PHMSA electronically through the National Registry of Pipeline and LNG Operators at http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov, of certain events. (1) An operator must notify PHMSA of any of the following events not later than 60 days before the event occurs: (i) Construction or any planned rehabilitation, replacement, modification, upgrade, uprate, or update of a facility, other than a section of line pipe, that costs $10 million or more. If 60 day notice is not feasible because of an emergency, an operator must notify PHMSA as soon as practicable;…#

220141005W_warning letter_09232014_text.pdf, page 2CGT did not notify PHMSA of a planned rehabilitation, replacement, modification, upgrade, uprate, or update of a facility, other than a section of line pipe, that costs $10 million or more not later than 60 days before the event occurs. CGT notified PHMSA electronically on September 23, 2014, through the National Registry of Pipeline and LNG Operators at http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov, of its intent to modify compressor stations along its 200 and 300 lines at a cost over $18 million. The notification stated that the field work activities started on August 4, 2014. This notification was required not later than 60 days before the event was to occur; i.e. not later than June 4, 2014. CGT’s failure to properly notify PHMSA not later than 60 days prior to August 4, 2014, deprived PHMSA of its ability to properly plan for the inspection of this construction related activity. Under 49 United States Code, § 60122, CGT is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $ 200,000 per violation per day the violation persists up to a maximum of $2,000,000 for a related series of violations. For violations occurring prior to January 4, 2012, the maximum penalty may not exceed $100,000 per violation per day, with a maximum penalty not to exceed $1,000,000 for a related series of violations. 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 correct the item identified in this letter. Failure to do so will result in the CGT being subject to additional enforcement action. No reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, in your correspondence please refer to CPF 2-2014-1005W. 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). Sincerely, Wayne T. Lemoi Director, Office of Pipeline Safety PHMSA Southern Region 2#