# ENLINK PROCESSING SERVICES, LLC — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 42022036NOPV
- **title:** ENLINK PROCESSING SERVICES, LLC — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2022-12-14
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 192.467(c).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-42022036nopv.json
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-42022036nopv
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/42022036NOPV
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving ENLINK PROCESSING SERVICES, LLC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 192.467(c). The case was opened on 2022-12-14 and is reported as closed as of 2024-03-22. Proposed civil penalty: $71,500. Assessed civil penalty: $57,000. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

42022036NOPV_Closure Letter_03222024_(21-219815).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42022036NOPV/42022036NOPV_Closure%20Letter_03222024_(21-219815).pdf

42022036NOPV_Closure Letter_03222024_(21-219815)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42022036NOPV/42022036NOPV_Closure%20Letter_03222024_(21-219815)_text.pdf

42022036NOPV_Final Order_09122023_(21-219815).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42022036NOPV/42022036NOPV_Final%20Order_09122023_(21-219815).pdf

42022036NOPV_Final Order_09122023_(21-219815)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42022036NOPV/42022036NOPV_Final%20Order_09122023_(21-219815)_text.pdf

42022036NOPV_Operator Response to Notice_01102023_(21-219815).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42022036NOPV/42022036NOPV_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice_01102023_(21-219815).pdf

42022036NOPV_PCO PCP_12142022_(21-219815).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42022036NOPV/42022036NOPV_PCO%20PCP_12142022_(21-219815).pdf

42022036NOPV_PCO PCP_12142022_(21-219815)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42022036NOPV/42022036NOPV_PCO%20PCP_12142022_(21-219815)_text.pdf

42022036NOPV_Closure Letter_03222024_(21-219815)_text.pdf

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: walter.pinto@enlink.com
March 22, 2024
Walter Pinto
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
EnLink Processing Services, LLC
1722 Routh Street, Suite 1300
Dallas, Texas 75201
CPF 4-2022-036-NOPV
Dear Mr. Pinto:
From August 9, 2021, through January 17, 2022, a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), pursuant to Chapter
601 of 49 United States Code (U.S.C.), inspected EnLink Processing Services, LLC’s (EnLink)
Sabine natural gas pipeline system in Louisiana and Texas. As a result of the inspection, EnLink
was issued a Final Order (Order) in the above-referenced case on September 12, 2023. The Order
assessed a $57,000 civil penalty and included a Compliance Order.
Based on PHMSA’s review of the documentation EnLink provided and the payment of the civil
penalty, it has been determined that EnLink has complied with the terms of the Order.
Accordingly, this case is now closed, and no further action is contemplated with respect to the
matters involved in this case. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Bryan Lethcoe
Director, Southwest Region, Office of Pipeline Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: Mr. Michael LeBlanc, Senior Vice President, Operations, Enlink Midstream,
michael.leblanc@enlink.com
Mr. Cordell Theriot, Senior DOT Compliance Specialist, Enlink Midstream,
cordell.theriot@enlink.com

42022036NOPV_Final Order_09122023_(21-219815)_text.pdf

September 12, 2023
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: walter.pinto@enlink.com
Walter Pinto
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Enlink Processing Services, LLC
1722 Routh Street, Suite 1300
Dallas, Texas 75201
Re: CPF No. 4-2022-036-NOPV
Dear Mr. Pinto:
Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes a finding of
violation, assesses a civil penalty of $57,000, and specifies actions that need to be taken to
comply with the pipeline safety regulations. When the civil penalty has been paid and the terms
of the compliance order are completed, as determined by the Director, Southwest Region, this
enforcement action will be closed. Service of the Final Order by e-mail is effective upon the
date of transmission and acknowledgement of receipt as provided under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Alan K. Mayberry
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Enclosure (Final Order)
cc: Mr. Bryan Lethcoe, Director, Southwest Region, Office of Pipeline Safety, PHMSA
Mr. Michael LeBlanc, Senior Vice President, Operations, Enlink Midstream,
michael.leblanc@enlink.com
Mr. Cordell Theriot, Senior DOT Compliance Specialist, Enlink Midstream,
cordell.theriot@enlink.com
CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT REQUESTED



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590
____________________________________
In the Matter of )
Enlink Processing Services, LLC, ) CPF No. 4-2022-036-NOPV
)
)
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
FINAL ORDER
From August 9, 2021 through January 17, 2022, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60117, a representative
of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline
Safety (OPS), conducted an inspection of Enlink Processing Services, LLC’s (Enlink or
Respondent) Sabine natural gas pipeline system in Louisiana and Texas.
As a result of the inspection, the Director, Southwest Region, OPS (Director), issued to
Respondent, by letter dated December 14, 2022, 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 Enlink committed a violation of 49 C.F.R. Part 192, proposed a
civil penalty of $71,500, and proposed ordering Respondent to take certain measures to correct
the alleged violation.
Enlink responded to the Notice by letter dated January 10, 2023 (Response). Enlink contested
the item in the Notice, including by stating the number of instances of non-compliance was less
than alleged, and also providing information regarding corrective actions taken and describing
procedural updates. Enlink did not request a hearing and therefore has waived its right to one.
FINDING 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. § 192.467(c), which states:
§ 192.467 External corrosion control: Electrical isolation.
(a) …
(c) Except for unprotected copper inserted in a ferrous pipe, each
pipeline must be electrically isolated from metallic casings that are a part of
the underground system. However, if isolation is not achieved because it is
impractical, other measures must be taken to minimize corrosion of the
pipeline inside the casing.



The Notice alleged that Enlink failed to ensure its pipeline system was electrically isolated from
metallic casings at 17 locations. Specifically, the Notice alleged that Enlink provided a cathodic
protection Survey Report for calendar years 2016 through 2020. The report identified 44 unique
cased crossings with a metallic short. At the time of the inspection, the Notice alleged Enlink
had not initiated action on 17 of the 44 locations to clear the shorted casings or to minimize
corrosion on the carrier pipeline inside the casing in accordance with § 192.467(c). In addition,
the Notice alleged that Enlink had failed to enter these shorted locations into its work
management system within two weeks of discovery as required by its procedures. Finally, the
Notice alleged that since the inspection, Enlink has updated its procedures to eliminate the
requirement to report deficiencies within two weeks, but that the revised procedure fails to
specify how and at what intervals Enlink will monitor and correct shorted casings to comply with
§ 192.467(c).
In its Response, Enlink stated it disagreed with the allegation in the Notice and explained that
only 11 of the 17 casings identified during the inspection are shorted casings. Enlink provided
additional documentation with its Response indicating that five of the 17 identified shorted
casings had been remediated with wax, and also that an additional one of the shorted casings had
tested “clear” in 2020. Therefore, Enlink argued that there were only 11 shorted casings.
Enlink acknowledged that it had updated its procedures to eliminate the requirement to report
deficiencies within two weeks and to make attempts to correct deficiencies within six months.
The Response further explained Enlink inherited the shorted casings from the previous operator
of this pipeline, and that it was not practical to enter the shorted casings into Enlink’s systems
within only two weeks. However, Enlink stated it entered the shorted casings into its system
once discovered, and has updated its corrosion manual to indicate that 27 cleared casings were
metallic. The Response also explained Enlink monitors shorted casings with a gas detector at an
interval consistent with its patrolling and leak survey procedures, and has updated its procedures
to specify such interval.
A review of the Notice, Enlink’s Response, and the additional documentation provided indicates
Enlink admits that 11 of the shorted crossings that OPS alleged in the Notice existed at the time
of the inspection, and that it “is diligently working on addressing” those remaining shorted
casings. With respect to Enlink’s position as to inputting the shorted casings inherited from a
previous operator into its system within two weeks, this was required by Enlink’s own
procedures, as described in the Notice. While the Response generally states that Enlink
“disagrees with PHMSA’s findings,” it does not provide additional evidence showing
compliance with § 192.467(c) regarding actions taken to address the 11 shorted casing locations.
Rather, the Response discussions explain the procedural updates Enlink has made since the
Notice was issued and address the number of instances of shorted casings that exist. Respondent
also admitted that its revised procedures removed the time period to correct deficiencies.
Accordingly, based upon a review of all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49
C.F.R. § 192.467(c) by failing to ensure its Sabine pipeline system was electrically isolated from
metallic casings at 11 locations.
This finding of violation will be considered a prior offense in any subsequent enforcement
actions against Respondent.



ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY
Under 49 U.S.C. § 60122, Respondent is subject to an administrative civil penalty not to exceed
$200,000 per violation for each day of the violation, up to a maximum of $2,000,000 for any
related series of violations.1
In determining the amount of a civil penalty under 49 U.S.C. § 60122 and 49 C.F.R. § 190.225, I
must consider the following criteria: the nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation,
including adverse impact on the environment; the degree of Respondent’s culpability; the history
of Respondent’s prior offenses; any effect that the penalty may have on its ability to continue
doing business; the good faith of Respondent in attempting to comply with the pipeline safety
regulations; and self-disclosure or actions to correct a violation prior to discovery by PHMSA.
In addition, I may consider the economic benefit gained from the violation without any reduction
because of subsequent damages, and such other matters as justice may require.
The Notice proposed a civil penalty of $71,500 for Respondent’s violation of 49 C.F.R.
§ 192.467(c), for failing to ensure its Sabine pipeline system was electrically isolated from
metallic casings at 17 locations. The Response did not address or contest the specific factors
listed above as considered in PHMSA’s civil penalty assessment in this case. However, Enlink’s
Response did address the number of shorted casings that existed at the time of OPS’ inspection.
Enlink provided additional documentation with its response explaining that there were only 11
shorted casings on its Sabine natural gas pipeline system, versus the 17 alleged in the Notice. As
such, PHMSA understands Enlink’s Response to address the gravity of the alleged violation, as
applicable to the number of instances of the alleged violation of § 192.467(c). Enlink has
provided sufficient records indicating only 11 shorted casings existed on its Sabine natural gas
pipeline system.
In lieu of the 17 instances of shorted casings reflected in the calculation of the proposed civil
penalty in the Notice, I have adjusted the gravity of the civil penalty to reflect only 11 such
instances. Accordingly, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria, I
assess Respondent a revised civil penalty of $57,000 for violation of 49 C.F.R. § 192.467(c).
Payment of the civil penalty must be made within 20 days after receipt of this Final Order.
Federal regulations (49 C.F.R. § 89.21(b)(3)) require such payment to 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 (AMK-325), Federal Aviation
Administration, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, 6500 S MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma 79169. The Financial Operations Division telephone number is (405) 954-8845.
Failure to pay the 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 district court of the
United States.
1 These amounts are adjusted annually for inflation. See 49 C.F.R. § 190.223 for adjusted amounts.



COMPLIANCE ORDER
The Notice proposed a compliance order for violation of 49 C.F.R. § 192.467(c). 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.
Pursuant to the authority of 49 U.S.C. § 60118(b) and 49 C.F.R. § 190.217, Respondent is
ordered to take the following actions to ensure compliance with the pipeline safety regulations
applicable to its operations:
1. With respect to the violation of § 192.467(c), Respondent must develop and
implement procedures for performing inspections and tests, implementing
remedial measures, and documenting the findings in accordance with
§ 192.467(c) and (d) to determine the adequacy of electrical isolation and take
action to address any remaining shorted casings within 60 days of receipt of the
Final Order;
2. Provide the Director, Southwest Region with a record of Enlink’s remediation
activities for all shorted casing locations on the Sabine pipeline within 120 days
of receipt of the Final Order;
3. Train employees responsible for completing tasks on Enlink’s updated procedures
and submit documentation of such training to the Director within 120 days of receipt
of the Final Order; and,
4. Retrain employees responsible for completing cathodic protection survey tasks
on how to identify, document, and report concerns with shorted casings and
submit documentation of such retraining to the Director within 120 days of
receipt of the Final Order.
The Director may grant an extension of time to comply with any of the required items upon a
written request timely submitted by the Respondent and demonstrating good cause for an
extension.
PHMSA requests that Respondent maintain documentation of the safety improvement costs
associated with fulfilling this Compliance Order and submit the total to the Director. It is
requested that these costs be reported in two categories: 1) total cost associated with
preparation/revision of plans, procedures, studies and analyses; and 2) total cost associated with
replacements, additions and other changes to pipeline infrastructure.
Failure to comply with this Order may result in the administrative assessment of civil penalties
not to exceed $200,000, as adjusted for inflation (see 49 C.F.R. § 190.223), for each violation for
each day the violation continues or in referral to the Attorney General for appropriate relief in a
district court of the United States.



Under 49 C.F.R. § 190.243, Respondent may submit a Petition for Reconsideration of this Final
Order to the Associate Administrator, Office of Pipeline Safety, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE, East Building, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20590, with a copy sent to the Office of
Chief Counsel, PHMSA, at the same address. The written petition must be received no later than
20 days after receipt of the Final Order by Respondent. Any petition submitted must contain a
statement of the issue(s) and meet all other requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 190.243. The filing of a
petition automatically stays the payment of any civil penalty assessed. The other terms of the
order, including any corrective actions, remain in effect unless the Associate Administrator, upon
request, grants a stay.
The terms and conditions of this order are effective upon service in accordance with 49 C.F.R.
§ 190.5.
September 12, 2023
_________________________________ ________________________
Alan K. Mayberry Date Issued
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
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