# DOW PIPELINE CO — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 420025012
- **title:** DOW PIPELINE CO — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2002-06-05
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 195.452(b)(2).
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- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/420025012
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving DOW PIPELINE CO. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 195.452(b)(2). The case was opened on 2002-06-05 and is reported as closed as of 2003-05-19. Proposed civil penalty: $5,000. Assessed civil penalty: $0. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

420025012_Final Order_12032002.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420025012/420025012_Final%20Order_12032002.pdf

420025012_Final Order_12032002.pdf

:
of Transportation
US. Department
Washington, D.C.
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
20500
Research and
Scimini Prations
DEC - 3 2002
Mr. Kevin C. Weyer
President
Dow Pipeline Company
1000 County Road 340
Angelton, TX 77515
Re: CPF No. 4-2002-5012
Dear Mr. Weyer:
Enclosed is the Final Order issued by the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety in the
above-referenced case. It withdraws the allegation of violation set forth in the Notice. The Order
makes a finding of inadequate procedures and requires that you amend your integrity management
program procedures. When the terms of the Order are completed, as determined by the Director,
Southwest Region, OPS, this enforcement action will be closed. Your receipt of the Order
constitutes service of that document under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
Sincerely,
Pipeline Complane Regisry
Enclosure
CERTIFIED MAIL. - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON, DC 20590
In the Matter of
Dow Pipeline Company,
CPF No. 4-2002-5012
Respondent.
FINAL ORDER
On February 19-20, 2002, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60117, representatives of the Southwest Region,
Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS); inspected Dow Pipeline Company's (Respondent's) integrity
management program at Respondent's facility in Angleton, Texas. As a result of the inspection, the
Southwestern Regional Director, OPS, issued to Respondent, by letter dated June 5, 2002, a Notice
of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty and Notice of Amendment (Notice). In accordance
with 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the Notice proposed finding that Respondent had violated 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.452(b)and proposed assessing a civil penalty of $5,000 for the alleged violation. The Notice
also alleged inadequacies in Respondent's integrity management program and proposed to require
amendment of Respondent's procedures to comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 195.452(b).
Respondent responded to the Notice by letter dated June 25, 2002. Respondent contested the
allegation of violation and requested a hearing. The hearing was held in the office of the
Southwestern Region on October 3, 2002.
WITHDRAWAL OF ALLEGATION
The Notice alleged that Respondent had violated § 195.452, which required Respondent to have
identified, by December 31, 2001, all pipeline segments in its system that could affect a high
consequence area. The Notice alleged that although Respondent had identified segments that
intersected the high consequence areas, it had not identified segments in its pipeline system that did
not intersect high consequence areas but could affect the high consequence areas.
Respondent contended that in identifying the segments by the December 31 deadline it had, based
on its experience and knowledge, generated a buffer zone to identify the segments that could affect
the high consequence areas. Respondent submitted maps showing the segments it had identified by
this process. Respondent explained that at OPS's suggestion, Respondent re-evaluated the segments
using a dispersion model, and that the segments identified were the same as the process Respondent
had previously used. Respondent maintained that its process of segment identification had complied
with the December 31 deadline.



2
Although the Notice alleged that Respondent had not used a buffer zone to identify segments that
did not intersect high consequence areas but which could be affected by a release of liquid methane
from the line, OPS did not have documents supporting its allegation. Accordingly, the allegation
of violation is withdrawn
AMENDMENT OF PROCEDURES
The Notice also alleged that Respondent's integrity management program procedures were
inadequate because Respondent did document the process it used to identify the segments and did
not include a quality assurance process. Respondent did not dispute these allegations and explained
that it was revising its procedures to add these processes. Respondent did not provide the amended
procedures at the hearing.
Accordingly, I find that Respondent's integrity management program procedures are inadequate to
ensure safe operation of its pipeline system. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60108(a) and 49 C.F.R.
§ 190.237, Respondent is ordered to make the following changes to its integrity management
program procedures. Respondent must -
Document and describe the process used to identify segments that could affect high
consequence areas.
2. Include a quality assurance process and effectiveness evaluation in the segment
identification process to ensure that all segments that could affect high consequence areas
are identified.
3. Submit the amended procedures to the Regional Director, Southwest Region, OPS within
30 days following receipt of this Order.
4. The Regional Director may extend the period for complying with the required items if
the Respondent requests an extension and adequately justifies the reasons for the
extension.
The terms and conditions of this Order are effective upon receipt.
Failure to comply with this Order may result in the assessment of civil penalties of up to $25,000 per
violation per day, or in the referral of the case for judicial enforcement.
-
DEC = 3 2002
facey Gerar
Date Issued
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
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