# NORGASCO INC — Warning Letter

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 520070011W
- **title:** NORGASCO INC — Warning Letter
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2007-04-09
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED warning letter citing 192.455(a).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520070011w.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520070011w.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520070011w
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520070011W
**body:**

Warning Letter involving NORGASCO INC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 192.455(a). The case was opened on 2007-04-09 and is reported as closed as of 2007-04-09. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

520070011W_warning letter_04092007.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520070011W/520070011W_warning%20letter_04092007.pdf

520070011W_warning letter_04092007.pdf

u.5. Deoorfmenl
of Tronsporlotion
Pipeline ond
Hdzorclous Moterlols sofeiy
Admlnislrollon
12300 W. Dakota Ave., Suite 110
Lakewood, CO 80228
WARNING LETTER
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REOIJESTED
April 9,2007 Mr. Leroy Frank Norgasco lnc.
4341 B, Suite 306
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
,.rir.,r , ll -.,r',I,r...\ri\'ir il.tlcis'tty
;iri'{i.,'(iir', -..-*. lit..:1, rx*,:t'.',1't -1
". , .,,,,.,,..i , :.,,.:,; .:4il211'1
cPF 5-2007-00llw
Dear Mr. Frank:
On December 12,2006 a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code inspected
Norgasco's Natural Gas Distribution Pipeline System in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
As a result ofthe inspection, ii appears that you have committed a probable violation ofthe
Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The items inspected and
the probable violation(s) are:
1. S192.455 External corrosion control: Buried or submerged pipelines installed
after July 31,1971.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (f) of this section, each buried
or submerged pipeline installed after July 31, 1971, must be protected against
external corrosion, including the following:
(1) It must have an external protective coating meeting the requirements of
s192.461.
(2) It must have a cathodic protection system designed to protect the pipeline in
accordance with this subpart, installed and placed in operation within 1 year after
completion of construction,
(b) An operator need not comply with paragraph (a) of this section, if the operator
can demonstrate by tests, investigation, or experience in the area of applicationt
including, as a minimum, soil resistivity measurements and tests for corrosion
accelerating bacteria, that a corrosive environment does not exist. However,



within 6 months after an installation made pursuant to the preceding sentence, the
operator shall conduct tests, including pipe-to-soil potential measurements with
respect to either a continuous reference electrode or an electrode using close
spacing, not to exceed 20 feet (6 meters)' and soil resistivity measurements at
potential profile peak locations, to adequately evaluate the potential profile along
the entire pipeline. Ifthe tests made indicate that a corrosive condition exists, the
pipeline must be cathodically protected in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of
this section,
Examination of Norgasco's 6-inch diameter line segment between the Conoco-Phillips
facility and your Pressure Reduction Station #1 revealed corrosion at the soil-air
interface where the pipeline went under the road. The pipe surface was visibly
corroded and needs to be evaluated and re-coated where necessary to meet the
requirements of $ 192.461.
Under 49 United States Code, $ 60122, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed
$100,000 for each violation for each day the violation persists up to a maximum of$l '000'000
for any related series ofviolations. 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(s)
identified in this letter. Failure to do so will result in Norgasco 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 5-2007-0011W. 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
ofyour 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 ofwhy
you believe the redacted information qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C.
5s2(b).
Sincerely,
?LA/
Chris Hoidal
Director, Westem Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: PHP-60 Compliance RegistrY
PHP-500 B. Flanders (#116679)
- **truncated:** false
- **body characters:** 4623
