# NORTHERN NATURAL GAS CO — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 320051013
- **title:** NORTHERN NATURAL GAS CO — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2005-06-16
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 192.201(a), 192.465(d), 192.481(c), 192.605(a), 192.705(a), 192.705(b), 192.739(a).
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- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/320051013
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving NORTHERN NATURAL GAS CO. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 192,  192.201(a),  192.465(d),  192.481(c),  192.605(a),  192.705(a),  192.705(b),  192.739(a). The case was opened on 2005-06-16 and is reported as closed as of 2008-06-13. Proposed civil penalty: $15,000. Assessed civil penalty: $12,500. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

320051013_Final Order_05122008.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/320051013/320051013_Final%20Order_05122008.pdf

320051013_final order_05122008_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/320051013/320051013_final%20order_05122008_text.pdf

320051013_final order_05122008_text.pdf

U S Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
1200 hleirr Jersey yrve S E
Washrnrgtnn DC SOt90
HAY j. .
" PtIO8
Mr. Royce Ramsay
Vice President, Operations
Northern Natural Gas Company
1111 South 103' Street
Omaha, NE 68124-1000
Re: CPF No. 3-2005-1013
Dear Mr. Ramsay:
Enclosed is the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes findings of
violation and assesses a civil penalty of $12, 500. It further finds that you have completed the
actions specified in the Notice required to comply with the pipeline safety regulations. When the
civil penalty is paid, this enforcement action will be closed. Your receipt of the Final Order
constitutes service of that document under 49 C. F R. $ 190. 5. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
I
Jeffrey D. Wiese
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Enclosure
cc: Ivan Huntoon
Director, Central Region, PHMSA
CERTIFIED MAIL — RETURN RECEIPT RE UESTED



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20590
In the Matter of
Northern Natural Gas Company, )
Respondent
)
)
)
)
)
CPF No. 3-2005-1013
FINAL ORDER
Between June 21 and September 2, 2004, pursuant to 49 U. S. C. $ 60117, representatives of the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Minnesota Office of
Pipeline Safety (MNOPS), the Michigan Public Service Commission (MI-PSC), and the Iowa
Utilities Board (IUB) conducted on-site pipeline safety inspections of Northern Natural Gas
Company's (Respondent's) facilities and records in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Iowa.
As a result of these inspections, the Director, Central Region, PHMSA, issued to Respondent, by
letter dated June 16, 2005, a Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty, and Proposed
Compliance Order (Notice). In accordance with 49 C. F. R. $ 190. 207, the Notice proposed
finding that Respondent had committed violations of 49 C. F. R. Part 192 and proposed assessing
a civil penalty of $15, 000 for the alleged violations. The Notice also proposed ordering
Respondent to take certain measures to correct the alleged violations. The Notice further
contained a warning that Respondent had committed certain other probable violations of 49
C. F. R. Part 192 and advised Respondent to take appropriate corrective action or face potential
enforcement action in the future,
Respondent responded to the Notice by letter dated July 18, 2005, as supplemented by letters
dated December 7, 2005, March 23, 2006, and May 1, 2006 (collectively, Response).
Respondent did not contest the allegations of violation but offered explanations and information
in mitigation of the proposed civil penalty and described the corrective actions it had taken.
Respondent did not request a hearing and therefore has waived its right to one,
FINDINGS OF VIOLATION
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C. F. R. Part 192, as follows:
Item 1: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C. F, R. $ 192. 465(d), which states:



g 192. 465 External corrosion control: Monitoring.
(a) Each pipeline that is under cathodic protection must be tested at least once each
calendar year, but with intervals not exceeding 15 months, to determine whether the
cathodic protection meets the requirements of $ 192. 463. However, if tests at those
intervals are impractical for separately protected short sections of mains or
transmission lines, not in excess of 100 feet (30 meters), or separately protected
service lines, these pipelines may be surveyed on a sampling basis. At least 10 percent
of these protected structures, distributed over the entire system must be surveyed each
calendar year, with a different 10 percent checked each subsequent year, so that the
entire system is tested in each 10-year period.
(b) "—
(d) Each operator shall take prompt remedial action to correct any
deficiencies indicated by the monitoring.
Specifically, the Notice alleged that Respondent failed to take prompt remedial action to correct
pipe-to-soil readings below the -0. 85v criteria at the Michigan Highway M-35 casing crossing
during the 2002-2004 period.
In its Response, Respondent did not contest the allegation in the Notice. Accordingly, after
considering all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49 C. F. R. ) 192. 465(d), as more
fully described in the Notice.
Item 2: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C. F. R. $ 192. 481(c), which states:
g 192. 481 Atmospheric corrosion control: Monitoring.
(a)""
(c) If atmospheric corrosion is found during an inspection, the
operator must provide protection against the corrosion as required by $192. 479.
Specifically, the Notice alleged that Respondent failed to provide protection against atmospheric
corrosion at the Superior ¹I TBS 782011, noting that corrosion was observed on several
components at the location.
In its Response, Respondent did not contest the allegation in the Notice. Accordingly, after
considering all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49 C. F. R. ) 192. 481(c), as more
fully described in the Notice.
Item 4a: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C. F. R. $ 192. 705(a), which states:
g 192. 705 Transmission lines: Patrolling.
(a) Each operator shall have a patrol program to observe surface conditions on and
adjacent to the transmission line right-of-way for mdications of leaks,
construction activity, and other factors affecting safety and operation.
Specifically, the Notice alleged that Respondent failed to inspect the surface conditions in the
specified areas of the North Branch, MN, unit.



Respondent's use of aerial patrolling was ineffective due to vegetation overgrowth, In its
Response, Respondent did not dispute the allegation in the Notice that the specified areas were
unobservable from the air due to overgrowth. Accordingly, after considering all of the evidence,
I find that Respondent violated 49 C. F. R, $ 192. 705(a), as more fully described in the Notice.
These findings of violation will be considered prior offenses in any subsequent enforcement
action taken against Respondent.
ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY
Under 49 U. S. C. $ 60122, Respondent is subject to a 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.
49 U. S. C $ 60122 and 49 C. F, R. ) 190. 225 require that, in determining the amount of the civil
penalty, I consider the following criteria: nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation;
degree of Respondent's culpability; history of Respondent's prior offenses; Respondent's ability
to pay the penalty; good faith by Respondent in attempting to achieve compliance; the effect on
Respondent's ability to continue in business; and such other matters as justice may require.
With respect to Item 2, the Notice proposed that a civil penalty of $5, 000 be assessed against
Respondent for violating 49 C. F. R. $ 192. 481(c) for its failure to provide protection against
atmospheric corrosion at the Superior ¹1 TBS 782011. Monitoring for and protecting against
atmospheric corrosion is an important part of properly maintaining a pipeline system and
ensuring safety. In its Response, Respondent acknowledged the presence of atmospheric
corrosion at the specified location and provided information concerning its process for evaluating
corrosion features. Specifically, Respondent provided evidence that the corrosion concern at the
Superior ¹1 TBS was already scheduled for remediation prior to the on-site inspection by
PHMSA. Respondent further demonstrated that the corrosion mitigation was completed in the
fall of 2004 as part of its scheduled riser recoat project. Based upon Respondent's good faith
efforts to achieve compliance prior to the inspection, I find that a 50 percent reduction in the civil
penalty amount proposed in the Notice for this violation is warranted. Accordingly, having
reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria, I assess Respondent a civil penalty of
$2, 500 for violating $ 192 481(c).
With respect to Item 4(a), the Notice proposed that a civil penalty of $10, 000 be assessed against
Respondent for violating 49 C. F. R. $ 192. 705(a) for its failure to inspect the surface conditions
in the specified areas of the North Branch, MN unit. Thorough and consistent performance of
pipeline right-of-way patrols is an important part of pipeline safety because these patrols can
alert operators to indications of construction activity, leaks, and other factors potentially
affecting safety and operation. Methods of patrolling include walking, driving, and aerial patrols
but the method selected by the operator must be capable of inspecting the surface conditions.
In its Response, Respondent did not dispute that the specified areas were unobservable from the
air due to overgrowth. Respondent also pointed out that pipe-to-soil surveys and class location
surveys had been conducted on the ground during the relevant time period.



Respondent acknowledged that management of its 16, 000 miles of right-of-way would benefit
from a more systematic application of controls and committed to undertake budgeting and
planning for system-wide clearing projects. Respondent further demonstrated that as of
September 15, 2005, both areas specified in the Notice had been cleared. We acknowledge that
following the inspection, Respondent initiated efforts to address the deficiencies that resulted in
the violation. Respondent, however, has provided no information that would warrant a
reduction in the penalty amount proposed in the Notice for this violation, Accordingly, having
reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria, I assess Respondent a civil penalty of
$10, 000 for violating ) 192. 705(a).
For the reasons discussed above, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment
criteria, I assess Respondent a total civil penalty of $12, 500. Respondent has the ability to pay
this penalty without adversely affecting its ability to continue in business.
Payment of the civil penalty must be made within 20 days of service. Federal regulations (49
C. F. R. $ 89. 21(b)(3)) require this payment be made by wire transfer, through the Federal
Reserve Communications System (Fedwire), to the account of the U. S. Treasury. Detailed
instructions are contained in the enclosure. Questions concerning wire transfers should be
directed to: Financial Operations Division (AMZ-341), Federal Aviation Administration, Mike
Monroney Aeronautical Center, P. O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125; (405) 954-8893.
Failure to pay the $12, 500 civil penalty will result in accrual of interest at the current annual rate
in accordance with 31 U. S. C. ) 3717, 31 C. F. R. $ 901. 9 and 49 C. F. R. $ 89, 23. Pursuant to
those same authorities, a late penalty charge of six percent (6%) per annum will be charged if
payment is not made within 110 days of service. Furthermore, failure to pay the civil penalty
may result in referral of the matter to the Attorney General for appropriate action in a United
States District Court.
COMPLIANCE ORDER
With respect to Item 1, the Notice proposed a compliance order for Respondent's failure to take
prompt remedial action to correct pipe-to-soil readings below the -0. 85v criteria at the Michigan
Highway M-35 casing crossing in accordance with $ 192. 465(d). Under 49 U. S. C. ) 60118(a),
each person who engages in the transportation of gas or who owns or operates a pipeline facility
is required to comply with the applicable safety standards established under chapter 601. The
Director, Central Region, PHMSA has indicated that Respondent provided information in its
Response demonstrating that it had removed the existing casing and replaced the crossing at
Michigan Highway M-35 on February 4, 2006. Accordingly, since compliance has been
achieved with respect to this violation, it is unnecessary to include compliance terms in this
Order.
WARNING ITEMS
With respect to Items 3, 4b, 5a, and 5b, the Notice alleged probable violations of Part 192 but did
not propose a civil penalty or compliance order for these items. Therefore, these are considered
to be warning items. The warnings were for:



49 C. F. R. $ 192, 605(a) (Notice Item 3) — Respondent's alleged failure to follow its
manual of written operating and maintenance procedures. Respondent failed to follow its
own procedure for locking a relief valve at the Hawthorne ¹I town border station;
49 C. F. R. ) 192. 705(b) (Notice Item 4b) — Respondent's alleged failure to conduct
transmission line patrols within the applicable 4 /i month maximum interval for a Class 3
location. Respondent failed to demonstrate that it had inspected the Glacier Avenue road
crossing between November 12, 2003 and May 5, 2004;
49 C, F. R. $ 192. 739(a) (Notice Item 5a) — Respondent's alleged failure to ensure that
pressure relief devices were set to relieve at the correct pressure. Respondent failed to
properly include the vendor's "build-up" values in establishing the set point for relief
valves at several town border stations; and
49 C. F. R. $ 192. 201(a) (Notice Item 5b) — Respondent's alleged failure to ensure that a
pressure relief device had enough capacity to ensure that operating pressure could not
exceed the maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) plus 10 percent or the
pressure that produces a hoop stress of 75 percent of SMYS, whichever is lower.
Respondent failed to update the capacity review sheet for the relief at the L'Anse town
border station after the MAOP was increased in 2003 from 60 to 120 psig.
Respondent presented information in its Response showing that it had taken certain actions to
address the cited warning items. Having considered such information, I find, pursuant to 49
C. F. R. $ 190. 205, that probable violations of 49 C. F. R. $$ 192. 605(a), 192. 705(b), 192. 739(a),
and 192. 201(a) have occurred and Respondent is hereby advised to correct such conditions. In
the event that PHMSA finds a violation for any of these items in a subsequent inspection,
Respondent may be subject to future enforcement action.
Under 49 C. F. R, ) 190. 215, Respondent has a right to submit a petition for reconsideration of
this Final Order. Should Respondent elect to do so, the petition must be received within 20 days
of Respondent's receipt of this Final Order and must contain a brief statement of the issue(s).
The filing of a petition automatically stays the payment of any civil penalty assessed. However
if Respondent submits payment for the civil penalty, the Final Order becomes the final
administrative decision and the right to petition for reconsideration is waived. The terms and
conditions of this Final Order shall be effective upon receipt.
MAy 12 200B
Jeffrey D. Wiese
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Date Issued
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