# NUSTAR LOGISTICS, L.P. — Notice of Amendment

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 32024014NOA
- **title:** NUSTAR LOGISTICS, L.P. — Notice of Amendment
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2024-02-01
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of amendment citing 195.204, 195.206, 195.402(a), 195.402(c)(3), 195.440(a), 195.452(f)(1), 195.452(f)(3).
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- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/32024014NOA
**body:**

Notice of Amendment involving NUSTAR LOGISTICS, L.P.. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 195.204,  195.206,  195.402(a),  195.402(c)(3),  195.440(a),  195.452(f)(1),  195.452(f)(3). The case was opened on 2024-02-01 and is reported as closed as of 2024-08-15. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

32024014NOA_Closure Letter_08152024_(22-235480).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/32024014NOA/32024014NOA_Closure%20Letter_08152024_(22-235480).pdf

32024014NOA_Closure Letter_08152024_(22-235480)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/32024014NOA/32024014NOA_Closure%20Letter_08152024_(22-235480)_text.pdf

32024014NOA_Notice of Amendment_02012024_(22-235480).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/32024014NOA/32024014NOA_Notice%20of%20Amendment_02012024_(22-235480).pdf

32024014NOA_Notice of Amendment_02012024_(22-235480)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/32024014NOA/32024014NOA_Notice%20of%20Amendment_02012024_(22-235480)_text.pdf

32024014NOA_Operator Response to Notice (REDACTED)_05012024_(22-235480).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/32024014NOA/32024014NOA_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice%20(REDACTED)_05012024_(22-235480).pdf

32024014NOA_Closure Letter_08152024_(22-235480)_text.pdf

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: Karl.Fails@Sunoco.com;
Gary.Koegeboehn@nustarenergy.com;
August 15, 2024
Karl Fails, EVP-COO
NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P.
8111 Winchester Drive
Dallas, TX 75225
RE: CPF 3-2024-014-NOA
Dear Mr. Fails:
From May 3, 2022, through December 14, 2022, representatives of the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code
(U.S.C.), inspected NuStar Logistics, L.P.’s and NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P.’s
(NuStar) procedures for its pipeline facilities in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa,
Indiana, Illinois, and Nebraska. As a result of the inspection, NuStar was issued a Notice of
Amendment on February 1, 2024, which proposed amendment of your procedures.
NuStar submitted its amended procedures on May 1, 2024. 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 that no further action is necessary, and this case is now
closed.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Gregory A. Ochs
Director, Central Region, Office of Pipeline Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: Gary Koegeboehn, Vice President of Pipeline Operations, NuStar Pipeline Operating
Partnership, L.P. (Gary.Koegeboehn@nustarenergy.com)

32024014NOA_Notice of Amendment_02012024_(22-235480)_text.pdf

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: Brad.Barron@nustarenergy.com;
Gary.Koegeboehn@nustarenergy.com
February 1, 2024
Mr. Brad Barron
President and Chief Executive Officer
NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P.
19003 IH-10 West
San Antonio, TX 78257
CPF 3-2024-014-NOA
Dear Mr. Barron:
From May 3, 2022, through December 14, 2022, representatives of the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code
(U.S.C.), inspected NuStar Logistics, L.P.’s and NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P.’s
(NuStar)1 procedures for its pipeline facilities in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa,
Indiana, Illinois, and Nebraska.
As a result of the inspection, PHMSA has identified the apparent inadequacies found within
NuStar’s plans or procedures. The items inspected and the inadequacies are described below:
1. § 195.204 Inspection – general.
Inspection must be provided to ensure that the installation of pipe or pipeline
systems is in accordance with the requirements of this subpart. Any operator
personnel used to perform the inspection must be trained and qualified in the phase
of construction to be inspected. An operator must not use operator personnel to
perform a required inspection if the operator personnel performed the construction
task requiring inspection. Nothing in this section prohibits the operator from
inspecting construction tasks with operator personnel who are involved in other
construction tasks.
1 NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P. operates NuStar Logistics, L.P.’s South Texas refined products assets
and NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P.’s anhydrous ammonia assets.



NuStar’s Operations and Maintenance Manual, revised December 31, 2021, (O&M) does not
provide adequate guidance for new pipeline construction as required under § 195.204.
Specifically, NuStar’s O&M Procedures 613 “General Guidance for Pipeline Repairs,” 614
“Detailed Pipeline Repair Procedures,” nor other O&M Procedures specify that NuStar
designated personnel will not perform a required inspection if the same personnel performed the
construction task requiring inspection.
NuStar must amend its written procedures to comply with the requirements of § 195.204.
2. § 195.402 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies.
(a) General. Each operator shall prepare and follow for each pipeline system a
manual of written procedures for conducting normal operations and
maintenance activities and handling abnormal operations and emergencies. This
manual shall be reviewed at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once
each calendar year, and appropriate changes made as necessary to insure that
the manual is effective. This manual shall be prepared before initial operations
of a pipeline system commence, and appropriate parts shall be kept at locations
where operations and maintenance activities are conducted.
NuStar’s O&M required under § 195.402(a) is inadequate because it does not provide guidance
for the identification and labeling of valves to ensure communication consistency between field
and control room personnel pursuant to § 195.404(a)(1)(iv), which requires that the operator
maintain current maps and records of its pipeline systems that include the location and
identification of Pipeline valves.
Specifically, NuStar’s O&M Procedure 315 “Valve Maintenance” Section 3.3 requires that the
operator coordinate with the control room prior to maintenance or inspection. In addition, O&M
Procedure 318 “Scraper and Sphere Facilities” Sections 3.3.1 and 3.3.2 require notification of the
Control Center and/or the appropriate operations personnel prior to launching and after receiving
pipeline pigs respectively. Further, O&M Procedures 302 “Maps and Records,” Section 3.1 and
603 “Construction/Design Requirements for Pipeline Systems,” Section 4.1 provide guidance for
the identification and location of valves. However, PHMSA observed that valve identifications,
or labels, were not present on valves, or inconsistent with P&IDs, Control Room screens, and
HMI screens. NuStar’s procedures do not address valve identification on field devices to ensure
consistency during normal and emergency operations.
NuStar must amend its written procedures to comply with the requirements of
§ 195.404(a)(1)(iv).



3. § 195.402 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies.
(a) General. Each operator shall prepare and follow for each pipeline system a
manual of written procedures for conducting normal operations and
maintenance activities and handling abnormal operations and emergencies.
This manual shall be reviewed at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least
once each calendar year, and appropriate changes made as necessary to insure
that the manual is effective. This manual shall be prepared before initial
operations of a pipeline system commence, and appropriate parts shall be kept
at locations where operations and maintenance activities are conducted.
NuStar’s O&M Procedure 315 “Valve Maintenance” required under § 195.402(a) is inadequate
because it does not define what valves are necessary for the safe operation of the pipeline
pursuant to § 195.420(a). Section § 195.420(a) states, “Each operator shall maintain each valve
that is necessary for the safe operation of its pipeline systems….” Specifically, NuStar’s
procedures must provide guidance on how to differentiate and maintain valves necessary for safe
operation other than mainline valves. In addition, the procedures do not define the inspection
period(s) for valves necessary for the safe operation of the pipeline system other than mainline
valves. In addition, the procedures do not define how NuStar plans to maintain valves necessary
for the safe operation other than mainline valves.
NuStar must amend its written procedures to comply with the requirements of § 195.420(a).
4. § 195.402 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies.
(a) . . . .
(c) Maintenance and normal operations. The manual required by paragraph (a) of
this section must include procedures for the following to provide safety during
maintenance and normal operations:
(1) . . . .
(3) Operating, maintaining, and repairing the pipeline system in accordance with
each of the requirements of this subpart and subpart H of this part.
NuStar’s O&M Procedure 315 “Valve Maintenance” required under § 195.402(c)(3) is
inadequate because the procedures do not provide detailed guidance for how valve inspections
are to be performed to ensure that the valve is functioning properly pursuant to § 195.420(b).
Section § 195.420(b) states, “Each operator must, at least twice each calendar year, but at
intervals not exceeding 71⁄2 months, inspect each valve to determine that it is functioning
properly. Each rupture-mitigation valve (RMV), as defined in § 195.2, or alternative equivalent
technology that is installed under § 195.258(c) or § 195.418, must also be partially operated.
Operators are not required to close the valve fully during the drill; a minimum 25 percent valve
closure is sufficient to demonstrate compliance, unless the operator has operational information
that requires an additional closure percentage for maintaining reliability.”
Specifically, Section 3.3 of O&M Procedure 315 outlines mainline valve inspection procedures
and in step 4 instructs field personnel that Form 6101 (Valve Inspection Report), Form 6109



(Ammonia Line Break Operator Inspection Report), or similar is to be prepared. However, the
procedures do not adequately outline specific steps needed for the different types of mainline
valves, such as motor-operated valves, manual valves, line break valves, etc. In addition, the
procedures do not address the inspection of RMVs, remote-control valves (RCVs), alternative
technology, etc.
NuStar must amend its written procedures to comply with the requirements of § 195.420(b).
5. § 195.402 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies.
(a) . . . .
(c) Maintenance and normal operations. The manual required by paragraph (a) of
this section must include procedures for the following to provide safety during
maintenance and normal operations:
(1) . . . .
(3) Operating, maintaining, and repairing the pipeline system in accordance with
each of the requirements of this subpart and subpart H of this part.
NuStar's Corrosion Control Manual, required under § 195.402(c)(3), is inadequate because it
does not include instructions that the operator must inspect all pipe coating prior to lowering the
pipe into the ditch or submerging the pipe pursuant to § 195.561(a). Section § 195.561(a) states,
“You must inspect all external pipe coating required by § 195.577 just prior to lowering the pipe
into the ditch or submerging the pipe.”
Specifically, the Corrosion Control Manual, Section 3.8 - Coating Inspections “New
Construction and Repairs,” does not reference NuStar’s engineering standard NS-ES-20-001
Version D “Pipeline Construction.” In addition, NS-ES-20-001 in Section 11.5 “Holiday
Inspection” outlines in Table 1 the requirements for holiday detection. However, Table 1 does
not cover jeep/holiday detection for Abrasion Resistant Overcoat (ARO) coating.
NuStar must amend its written procedures to comply with the requirements of § 195.561(a).
6. § 195.402 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies.
(a) . . . .
(c) Maintenance and normal operations. The manual required by paragraph (a) of
this section must include procedures for the following to provide safety during
maintenance and normal operations:
(1) . . . .
(3) Operating, maintaining, and repairing the pipeline system in accordance with
each of the requirements of this subpart and subpart H of this part.
NuStar’s Liquid Pipeline Integrity Management Program and Procedures Manual, Version 9.0,
(IMP) required under § 195.402(c)(3) is inadequate because the IMP Plan in Appendix I “SCC
Management Plan” does not provide adequate guidance for Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)
Direct Assessment, pursuant to § 195.588(c). Section § 195.588(c) states, “If you use direct
assessment on an onshore pipeline to evaluate the effects of stress corrosion cracking, you must



develop and follow a Stress Corrosion Cracking Direct Assessment plan that meets all
requirements and recommendations of NACE SP0204-2008 (incorporated by reference)….”
However, Appendix I of NuStar’s IMP Plan incorporates by reference only certain sections of
NACE SP0204-2008. PHMSA requires that the SCC Direct Assessment plan meet all of the
requirements of NACE SP0204-2008.
NuStar must amend its IMP procedures to comply with the requirements of § 195.588(c).
7. § 195.440 Public Awareness.
(a) Each pipeline operator must develop and implement a written continuing public
education program that follows the guidance provided in the American
Petroleum Institute's (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162 (incorporated by
reference, see § 195.3).
NuStar’s Public Awareness Program, revised December 31, 2021, (PA Plan) required under §
195.440(a) is inadequate because it does not provide adequate guidance to address
supplemental communication evaluation review and documentation as required under §
195.440(i). Section § 195.440(i) states, “The operator's program documentation and evaluation
results must be available for periodic review by appropriate regulatory agencies.” Specifically,
NuStar’s PA Plan in Section 3.7.1 “Supplemental Communication Evaluation Process” states
that the Public Awareness Committee shall conduct a review every other year and additional
reviews may be conducted if evaluation factors have changed significantly. However, the PA
Plan does not outline where, or how, this review is to be documented. NuStar’s current practice,
based on PHMSA observations, is to use Forms 6207 and/or 6301. However, neither form is
identified in the procedures.
NuStar must amend its written PA Plan to clarify documentation requirements to comply with
§195.440(i).
8. § 195.452 Pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas.
(a) . . . .
(f) What are the elements of an integrity management program? An integrity
management program begins with the initial framework. An operator must
continually change the program to reflect operating experience, conclusions
drawn from results of the integrity assessments, and other maintenance and
surveillance data, and evaluation of consequences of a failure on the high
consequence area. An operator must include, at minimum, each of the following
elements in its written integrity management program:
(1) A process for identifying which pipeline segments could affect a high
consequence area;
NuStar’s Facility Integrity Management Program, Version 1, (FIMP) does not provide adequate
guidance for air-dispersion modeling and is therefore inadequate to comply with § 195.452(f)(1).
Specifically, the FIMP does not incorporate an air dispersion model for an ammonia release from
a pump station or facility. The air-dispersion modeling is carried out in accordance with NuStar’s



IMP Plan, Section 1.4 for mainline pipe. However, the FIMP Plan does not incorporate a
reference to the IMP Plan for air-dispersion modeling.
NuStar must amend its written procedures to comply with the requirements of § 195.452(f)(1).
9. § 195.452 Pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas.
(a) . . . .
(f) What are the elements of an integrity management program? An integrity
management program begins with the initial framework. An operator must
continually change the program to reflect operating experience, conclusions
drawn from results of the integrity assessments, and other maintenance and
surveillance data, and evaluation of consequences of a failure on the high
consequence area. An operator must include, at minimum, each of the following
elements in its written integrity management program:
(1) . . . .
(3) An analysis that integrates all available information about the integrity of the
entire pipeline and the consequences of a failure (see paragraph (g) of this
section);
NuStar’s IMP procedures required under § 195.452(f)((3) are inadequate because the procedures
do not provide proper guidance for the evaluation methods of geotechnical threats pursuant to
§ 195.452(g)(1)(xxi).
Section § 195.452(g)(1)(xxi) states that the operator, “Integrate information and attributes about
the pipeline that include….Other pertinent information derived from operations and maintenance
activities and any additional tests, inspections, surveys, patrols, or monitoring required under this
part.”
Specifically, the IMP procedures in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 do not outline specific methods to be
used for the evaluation of geotechnical threats. In addition, Appendix D of the IMP procedures
note that internal navigation tools are useful for mapping. However, the procedures do not
indicate that Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) inline inspection, or other tools are to be used to
analyze geotechnical threats and/or pipeline strain. PHMSA’s Advisory Bulletin, ADB 2022-
0063, outlines additional guidance an operator should consider in order to address the potential
for damage to pipeline facilities caused by earth movement and other geological hazards.
NuStar must amend its IMP procedures to comply with the requirements of § 195.452(g)(1)(xxi).
10. § 195.452 Pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas.
(a) . . . .
(f) What are the elements of an integrity management program? An integrity
management program begins with the initial framework. An operator must
continually change the program to reflect operating experience, conclusions
drawn from results of the integrity assessments, and other maintenance and
surveillance data, and evaluation of consequences of a failure on the high



consequence area. An operator must include, at minimum, each of the following
elements in its written integrity management program:
(1) . . . .
(3) An analysis that integrates all available information about the integrity of the
entire pipeline and the consequences of a failure (see paragraph (g) of this
section);
NuStar’s IMP procedures required under § 195.452(f)((3) are inadequate because the procedures
do not include the appropriate assessment methods associated with pipeline circumferential crack
integrity threats pursuant to § 195.452(j)(5)(i).
Section § 195.452(j)(5)(i) states, “….For pipeline segments that are susceptible to cracks (pipe
body and weld seams), an operator must use an in-line inspection tool or tools capable of
detecting crack anomalies….”
The IMP procedures Appendix D specifies “Anomaly Types, Detection Tools, and Assessment
Methods” that are appropriate to specific integrity threats. However, the IMP procedures do not
include methods for assessing circumferential stress corrosion cracking, which was identified as
the cause of failure of NuStar’s 10-inch pipeline from Chatham, Louisiana to Hampton,
Arkansas, near El Dorado, Arkansas on February 27, 2022.
NuStar must amend its written procedures to include additional assessment methods for
circumferential SCC as applicable to its pipeline systems in order to comply with the
requirements of § 195.452(j)(5)(i).
11. § 195.206 Material inspection.
No pipe or other component may be installed in a pipeline system unless it has been
visually inspected at the site of installation to ensure that it is not damaged in a
manner that could impair its strength or reduce its serviceability.
NuStar’s Standard NS-ES-20-001 is inadequate because it does not specify that Horizontal
Directional Drilling (HDD) pipe coating and pipe be inspected after being pulled through the
bore hole to document and verify the piping and coating were not damaged during the HDD pull
in manner that could impair its strength or reduce its serviceability.
NuStar must amend its written procedures to include inspection of HDD pipe coating and pipe
after it is pulled through the bore hole, and any remedial actions that should be taken if such
damage is found, to comply with the requirements of § 195.206.
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
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).
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
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
90 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 that NuStar maintain documentation of the safety improvement costs associated
with fulfilling this Notice of Amendment (preparation/revision of plans, procedures) and submit
the total to Gregory Ochs, Director, Central Region, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration. In correspondence concerning this matter, please refer to CPF 3-2024-014-NOA
and, for each document you submit, please provide a copy in electronic format whenever
possible.
Sincerely,
Gregory A. Ochs
Director, Central Region, Office of Pipeline Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Enclosure: Response Options for Pipeline Operators in Enforcement Proceedings
cc: Gary Koegeboehn, V.P. of Pipeline Operations (gary.koegeboehn@nustarenergy.com)
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