# DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE-NORTH DAKOTA, LLC — Warning Letter

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 42021067WL
- **title:** DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE-NORTH DAKOTA, LLC — Warning Letter
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2021-12-16
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED warning letter citing 195.202.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-42021067wl.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-42021067wl.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-42021067wl
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/42021067WL
**body:**

Warning Letter involving DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE-NORTH DAKOTA, LLC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 195.202. The case was opened on 2021-12-16 and is reported as closed as of 2021-12-16. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

42021067WL_Operator Response to Notice_01252022_(21-214479).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42021067WL/42021067WL_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice_01252022_(21-214479).pdf

42021067WL_Warning Letter_12162021_(21-214479).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42021067WL/42021067WL_Warning%20Letter_12162021_(21-214479).pdf

42021067WL_Warning Letter_12162021_(21-214479)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42021067WL/42021067WL_Warning%20Letter_12162021_(21-214479)_text.pdf

42021067WL_Warning Letter_12162021_(21-214479)_text.pdf

WARNING LETTER
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
December 16, 2021
David Sheppard
Senior Vice President - Operations
Denbury Green Pipeline-North Dakota LLC
5851 Legacy Circle, Suite 1200
Plano, Texas 75024
CPF # 4-2021-067-WL
Dear Mr. Sheppard:
On July 6 and 7, 2021, a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code (U.S.C.) inspected
the Denbury Green Pipeline-North Dakota LLC’s (Denbury) pipe storage facilities for its Cedar
Creek Anticline (CCA) CO2 pipeline construction project in Alzada and Baker, Montana.
As a result of the inspection, it is alleged that Denbury has committed a probable violation of the
Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The item inspected and
the probable violation is:
1. §195.202 Compliance with specifications or standards
Each pipeline system must be constructed in accordance with comprehensive
written specifications or standards that are consistent with the requirements of this
part.
Denbury failed to construct its pipeline system in accordance with written comprehensive
specifications or standards consistent with Part 195. Specifically, Denbury failed to follow
its Construction Standards, Below Grade Pipe Coatings, C1080 (Revised 2013-08-01),
during the construction of its CCA Project.
The procedures contain requirements to protect pipeline coating material during
transportation, handling, and storage of pipe. Specifically, Section 2.4 states, “To prevent
damage and loss of product, coating materials shall be transported, handled, and stored per
Manufacturer’s recommendations. All coating material shall be stored in a clean, dry
location and in a manner to protect them from contact with the ground and moisture. All
coating material will be shielded from direct sunlight when not in use.”



2
During PHMSA’s inspection, pipes stored at the Alzada and Baker storage yards were
heavily oxidized due to ultraviolet exposure. PHMSA’s review of the Material Test reports
and Logistics Inspection reports indicated that the pipes were manufactured in 2019 and
transported to the pipe storage yards by April 2020. The pipes at the storage yards were
exposed to direct sunlight and moisture from April 2020 until the start of the project in July
2021.
As a result of the inspection, PHMSA’s representative requested Denbury perform tests to
ensure that the performance of the coating due to the failure to protect the pipe from
exposure to direct sunlight as required by their specifications.
Under 49 U.S.C. § 60122 and 49 CFR § 190.223, Denbury Green Pipeline-Montana, LLC is
subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $225,134 per violation per day the violation persists, up to
a maximum of $2,251,334 for a related series of violations. For violations occurring on or after
January 11, 2021, and before May 3, 2021, the maximum penalty may not exceed $222,504 per
violation per day the violation persists, up to a maximum of $2,225,034 for a related series of
violations. For violations occurring on or after July 31, 2019, and before January 11, 2021, the
maximum penalty may not exceed $218,647 per violation per day the violation persists, up to a
maximum of $2,186,465 for a related series of violations. For violations occurring on or after
November 27, 2018, and before July 31, 2019, the maximum penalty may not exceed $213,268
per violation per day, with a maximum penalty not to exceed $2,132,679. For violation occurring
on or after November 2, 2015, and before November 27, 2018, the maximum penalty may not
exceed $209,002 per violation per day, with a maximum penalty not to exceed $2,090,022.
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
Denbury Green Pipeline-Montana LLC 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 # 4-2021-056-WL. 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,
Mary L. McDaniel, P.E.
Director, Southwest Region, Office of Pipeline Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
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