# VENOCO, INC — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 520020008
- **title:** VENOCO, INC — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2002-08-19
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 191.15(b), 192.465(a), 192.465(b), 192.467(a), 192.491(c), 192.605, 192.605(a), 192.615(a), 192.616, 192.629(a), 192.705(a), 192.706.
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- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520020008
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving VENOCO, INC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 191.15(b),  192.465(a),  192.465(b),  192.467(a),  192.491(c),  192.605,  192.605(a),  192.615(a),  192.616,  192.629(a),  192.705(a),  192.706. The case was opened on 2002-08-19 and is reported as closed as of 2006-11-28. Proposed civil penalty: $46,500. Assessed civil penalty: $46,500. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

520020008.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520020008/520020008.pdf

520020008_Final Order_10302003.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520020008/520020008_Final%20Order_10302003.pdf

Closure_CPF_No_5-2002-0008_Venoco.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520020008/Closure_CPF_No_5-2002-0008_Venoco.pdf

520020008_Final Order_10302003.pdf

(p
U.S. Deporlment
of Tronsoortotion
R$eorchond
Speciol Progroms
Adminislrofion
400 Seventh Sl.. S W
Washinqlon. D C 20590
OcT 3 0 i:rl]3
Mr. Bruce Berwager
Chief Operations Offi cer
Venoco, Inc.
5464 Carpinteria Avenue, Suite J
Carpinteria, CA 93013-1423
Re: CPFNo.5-2002-0008
Dear Mr. Berwager:
Enclosed is the Final Order issued by the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety in the
above-referenced case. It makes frndings ofviolation and assesses a civil penalty of $46,500. The
Final Order also requires certain conective actions and the amendment of your procedures for
operations, maintenance, and emergencies. The penalty paynent terms are set forth in the Final
Order. YourreceiptoftheFinalOrderconstitutesserviceofthatdocumentunder49C.F.R.$190.5.
Sincerely,
f)rur,*Lfu)h il,"
' Gwendolyn M. HiH
Pipeline Compliance Registry
Office of Pipeline Safety
Enclosure
Mr. Keith Wenal
Safety and Training/DOT Coordinator
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETLIRN RECEIPT REOUESTED



DEPARTMENT OF TRANS P ORTATION
RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAT'ETY
WASHINGTON,DC 20590
In the Matter of
Venoco, Inc.,
Respondent.
)
)
)
)
)
CPF No. 5-2002-0008
FINAL ORDER
On September 25-26,2001, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. $ 60117, a representative of the Westem Region,
Office ofPipeline Safety(OPS) conducted anon-sitepipeline safetyinspectionofRespondent'sRyer
Sales Gas Pipeline ("RyerPipeline") facilities andrecords in Concord, California. As aresult of the
inspection, the Director, Western Region, OPS, issued to Respondent, by letter dated August 19,
2002, a Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty, Proposed Compliance Order, and
NoticeofAmendment(Notice). Inaccordancewith49C.F.R.$l90.207,theNotice: (1)proposed
finding that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. $$ 192.491, 192.616,192.705, 192.706,192.465,
192.467, and committed two violations of $ 192.605; (2) proposed assessing a civil penalty of
$46,500 for six ofthe alleged violations; and (3) proposed that Respondent take certain measures
to correct the alleged violations. The Notice also proposed, in accordancewith49 C.F.R. $ 190.237,
that Respondent amend its procedures for operations, maintenance and emergencies.
Respondent responded to the Notice by letter dated September 18,2002 (Response). Respondent
did not contest the allegations of violation but offered information concerning the corrective
measures it intended to initiate. Respondent did not request aheaing, consequently Respondent
waived its rieht to one.
FINDINGS OF VIOLATION
In its Response, Respondent did not contest the alleged violations set forth in the Notice.
Accordingly, I find that Respondent violated the following sections of 49 C.F.R. Part 192, as more
fully described in the Notrce:
49 C.F.R. $ 192.605 -- failing to adequately prepare and follow a manual of written
procedures for conducting operations, maintenance, and emergency response activities in
accordance with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Partl92,



2
49 C.F.R. S 192.491 - failing to maintain records demonstrating the adequacy of corosion
controi measures during the 1998-2001 period;
49 C.F,R. 5 192.705 -- failing to conduct patrols of the pipeline right-of-way within the
prescribed maximum intervals during the 1998-99 period;
49 C.F.R. 5 192.706 - failing to adequately conduct leakage surveys within the prescribed
maximum interval during the 1998-99 period;
49 C.F.R. $ 192.a65(a) - failing to adequately conduct pipe-to-soil testing to monitor
cathodic protection levels within the prescribed maximum intervals during the 1998-2001
period;
49 C.F.R. $ 192.465(b) - failing to adequately inspect the Ryer Station cathodic protection
rectifier within the prescribed maximum intewal during the 1998-2001 period;
49C.F.R. $192.467(d)--failingtoproperlyconductelectricaltestingtoensuretheadequacy
of electrical isolation at railroad casings.
These findings ofviolation will be considered prior offenses in any subsequent enforcement action
taken against Respondent,
ASSESSMENT OF PENAITY
Under 49 U.S.C. 5 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.
Venoce, Inc. is responsible for operating and maintaining the Ryer Pipeline in accordance with the
applicable pipeline safety regulations. These regulations represent the minimum measures that must
be taken by pipeline operators to protect the public safety. In this case the violations involved,
among other things, inadequate corrosion control measures and the failure to conduct periodic leak
testing. These are among the most fundamental requirements of the gas pipeline safety regulations.
In its response, Respondent acknowledged the deficiencies identified in the OPS inspection,
including the fact that this pipeline was operated without cathodic protection for a significant period
of time. Although a new impressed current cathodic protection system was eventually installed on
the Ryer Pipeline, the failure to protect against corrosion during the 1998 to 2001 period could have



3
resulted in deterioration of the pipe wall and a corresponding increase in the potential for pipeline
failures, putting the public safety at risk. Moreover, vital monitoring and inspections that were
required on a semi-annual or annual basis were not missed by a matter of days or weeks, but rather,
there were no records of their being conducted for a period of nearly three years. In addition, careful
monitoring of the level of corrosion control is of particular importance on the Ryer Pipeline which
is constructed of both 8-inch and 12-inch sections, potentially making periodic internal pipe wall
inspections problematic.
The Notice proposed civil penalties for the violations as follows:
Item 2:
failure to maintain corrosion control records
=
$18,000
Item 9:
2 missed patrolling x $2,500
=
$ 5,000
Item 10:
1 missed leakage survey
=
$ 2,500
Item 1l:
failure to follow cathodic protection procedures
=
$15,000
Item 12:
1 missed rectifier survey
=
$ 3,000
Item 13:
1 missed electrical survey
=
$ 3,000
Total =
$46,500
Respondent has not presented information that warrants mitigation of the civil penalty amounts
proposed for any of the violations committed. Accordingly, having reviewed the record and
considered the assessment criteria, I assess Respondent a total civil penalty of $46,500 for failing
to comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. §§ 192.491, 192.705, 192.706, 192.465, and 192.467.
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-120), Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Monroney Aeronautical
Center, P.O. Box 25770, Oklahoma City, OK 73125; (405) 954-4719.
Failure to pay the $46,500 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
The Notice proposed a Compliance Order with respect to the violations of 49 C.F.R. §§ 192.605 and
192.491.
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 with respect to its Ryer Sales Gas Pipeline to
ensure compliance with the pipeline safety regulations applicable to its operations:



d,
1.
Establish and follow a comprehensive manual ofwrittenprocedures for operations, maintenance,
and emergencies developed specifically for the Ryer Sales Gas Pipeline that meets all
requirements of 49 C.F.R. Pafi 192, including Subparts E, I, L, and M as more fully described
in the Notice.
2.
Verify the integrity of the pipeline by conducting a pressure test in accordance with 49 C.F.R.
Part 192, Subpart J. Submit the pressure test results to the Director, Westem Region, OPS
within 7 days of receiving them. Include information on the nature and location of any leak
incidents should they occur.
Evaluate the adequacy ofthe corrosion control measures by conducting a close-interval cathodic
protection survey ofthe pipeline, as well as interference current testing at all crossings and other
areas where fault currents may be present, in accordance with 49 C.F.R. $$ 192.463,192.473,
and Appendix D. Submit the results of the electrical surveys to the Director, Westem Region,
OPS within 7 days of receiving them. hclude information on the nature and location of any
deficiencies identified during the electrical surveys and a summary evaluation of the adequacy
of the corrosion control measures.
4. lf any failures or deficiencies are identified as a result ofthe testing and evaluation actions
required by this Order, or are otherwise known or suspected by Respondent, provide for further
evaluations, appropriate repairs, or other remedial actions to bring the pipeline and its associated
facilities into compliance with the pipeline safety regulations and relevant industry standards.
Prior to initiating any repairs, develop and submit a plan to the Director, with a schedule,
including a description of the assessment criteria that will be used in the prioritizalion of any
deficiencies that are identified, and a description of the repair criteria and methods that will be
used in undertaking any corrective measures.
5.
Develop and maintain a formal corrosion control record keeping system in accordance with
49 C.F.R. $ 192.491 that includes, among other things, maps showing the location of the
pipeline's cathodic protection facilities and any neighboring structures bonded to the pipeline
or its cathodic protection systems, and records demonstrating the adequacy of the corrosion
control measures required for the pipeline under 49 C.F.R. Part 192, Subpart I. The record
keeping system must also ensure that any records created by maintenance contractors are
regularly reviewed by Respondent to ensure that the pipeline is being operated in compliance
with the pipeline safety regulations applicable to its operations.
6.
Respondent must accomplish the above items within 60 days following receipt of this Final
Order. Submit all test results, evaluations, action plans, schedules, procedures, and other
documents demonstrating compliance with this Order to the Director, Westem Region, Office
of Pipeline Safety, Golden Hills Centre, Suite A-250, 12600 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood,
co 80215-3736.



Ai\4ENDMENT OF PROCEDLIRES
Items 3-6 of the Notice alleged inadequacies in Respondent's procedures for operations,
maintenance, and emergencies and proposed to require amendment of Respondent's procedures to
comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 192. Respondent did not contest the proposed
Notice of Amendment. Accordingly, I find that Respondent's procedures as described in the Notice
are inadequate to ensure safe operation of its pipeline system. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. $ 60108(a) and
49 C.F.R. 5 190.237, Respondent is ordered to make the following amendments to its procedures:
i. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. $ 191.15(b), amend the procedures to include directions Ibr
operator personnel to make a supplemental incident report where additional related information
is obtained after an incident report is originally submitted.
2. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. $ 192.605(c), amend the procedures to include instructions for
persorutel to follow in the event ofpersonnel error, operation of any safety device, component
malfunctions, or other instances of abnormal oneration.
3.
In accordance \vith 49 C.F.R. $ 192,615, amend the procedures to include instructions for
persorurel to follow to promptly and effectivelyrespond to a fire, natural disaster, or other gas
pipeline emergency.
A
In accordance with 49 C.F.R. $ 192.629, amend the procedures to include instructions Ibr
personnel to safely and reliably perform purging of the pipeline, including measures to enswe
that lines containing air are properlypurged.
5. Within 30 days following receipt of this Order, submit the amended procedures to the Director,
Westem Region. OPS.
WARNINGITEMS
The Notice did not propose a civil penalty or corective action for Items 7 and 8 in the Notice;
therefore, these are considered waming items. Respondent is warned that if it does not take
appropriate action to correct these items, enforcement action will be taken if a subsequent inspection
reveals a violation. The warninss were for:
49 C.F.R. $ 192.605(a) - failing to conduct an annual review of the manual of written
procedures for operations, maintenarce, and emergencies during the 1999 period; and
49 C.F.R. $ 192.616 -- failing to adequately establish a comprehensive public education
program increasing awareness ofthe presence ofthe pipeline for potential excavators and
enabling the public to recognize a gas pipeline emergency for the purpose of repor-ting it to
the operator or appropriate public authorities.



6
The Director, Westem Region, OPS may grant an extension of time for compliance with any of the
terms of this Order for good cause. A request for an extension must be in writing.
Under 49 C.F.R. $ 190.215, Respondent has a right to petition for reconsideration of this Final
Order. 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 the petition automatically stays the
payment of any civil penalty assessed. All other terms of the Order, including any required
corrective actions, remain in ftll effect unless the Associate Administrator, upon written request,
grants a stay.
Failure to comply with this Final Order may result in the assessment of civil penalties of up to
$ 100,000 per violation per day, or in the referral of the case for judicial enforcement. The terms and
conditions ofthis Final Order are effective on receiot.
OCT 3 0 ltiliiil
Date Issued
iate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety

Closure_CPF_No_5-2002-0008_Venoco.pdf

of Transportation
U.S. Department
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
NOV 28 2006
Mr. William Schneider
President
Venoco, Inc.
6267 Carpinteria Ave., Suite 100
Carpinteria, CA 93013
Re: CPF No. 5-2002-0008
Dear Mr. Schneider:
On October 30, 2003, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's
(PHMSA's)* Office of Pipeline Safety issued a Final Order to Venoco, Inc. in the above-
referenced case. The Order assessed a civil penalty of $46,500 and specified actions to be taken
to comply with the Federal pipeline safety regulations. The Order also required that Venoco,
Inc. address the inadequacies in its procedures. Based on the recommendation of the Director,
Western Region, PHMSA, it has been determined that Venoco, Inc. has paid the civil penalty,
complied with the terms of that Order as well as addressed the inadequacies in its procedures.
Accordingly, this case is now closed and no further enforcement action is contemplated with
respect to the matters involved in this case.
Sincerely,
Tams M
ames Reynolds
Pipeline Compliance Registry
PHMSA-Office of Pipeline Safety
cc: Mr. Chris Hoidal, P.E., Director Western Region, PHMSA
Mr. Keith Wenal, Safety Manager, Venoco, Inc.
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Effective February 20, 2005, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) succeeded
transportation and hazardous materials transportation. See, section 108 of the Norman Y. Mineta Research and
Research and Special Programs Administration as the agency responsible for regulating safety in pipeline
Fed. Reg. 8299 (February 18, 2005) redelegating the pipeline safety authorities and functions to the PHMSA
Special Programs Improvement Act (Public Law 108-426, 118 Stat. 2423-2429 (November 30, 2004)). See also, 70
Administrator.
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