# VENOCO, INC — Notice of Amendment

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 520081007M
- **title:** VENOCO, INC — Notice of Amendment
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2008-09-10
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of amendment citing 192.905(a), 192.911, 192.933, 192.935, 192.935(b), 192.935(i), 192.935(m), 192.937(b), 192.945, 192.947(d).
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**body:**

Notice of Amendment involving VENOCO, INC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 192.905(a),  192.911,  192.933,  192.935,  192.935(b),  192.935(i),  192.935(m),  192.937(b),  192.945,  192.947(d). The case was opened on 2008-09-10 and is reported as closed as of 2010-04-06. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

520081007M_notice of amendment_09102008.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520081007M/520081007M_notice%20of%20amendment_09102008.pdf

520081007m_notice of amendment_09102008_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520081007M/520081007m_notice%20of%20amendment_09102008_text.pdf

520081007M_ooperator response_10032008.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520081007M/520081007M_ooperator%20response_10032008.pdf

520081007m_notice of amendment_09102008_text.pdf

U S. DepGrtment
of Tl GtlsPortGtloll
Pipelline and
Hazardous Materialls Safety
Administration
12300 W Dakota Ave, Suite 110
Lakewood, CO 80228
NOTICE OF AMKNBMKNT
September 10, 2008
Mr. Ikeith Wenal
Manager
Venoco Incorporated
6267 Carpinteria Ave.
,
Carpinteria, CA 93013
0100
CPF 5-2008-1007M
Dear Mr. Wenal'
On July 23 to 27, 2007, representatives of the Pipehne and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code, mspected Venoco
Incorporated's (Venoco) Integrity Management Program (IMP) in Carpinteria, Cahfornia
On the basis of the inspection, PHMSA has identified the apparent inadequacies found within
Venoco's IMP plan, as described below
g 192. 905 (a) General.
To determine which segments of an operator's transmission pipehne system are
covered by this subpart, an operator must identify the high consequence areas. An
operator must use method (1) or (2) from the definition in $192. 903 to identify a
high consequence area. An operator may apply one method to its entire pipeline
system, or an operator may apply one method to individual portions of the pipeline
system. An operator must describe in its integrity management program which
method it is applying to each portjlon of the oper'ator's pipeline system. The
description must include the potential impact radius when utihzed to establish a



Item 1A Venoco did not specify in its IMP plan which method it was applying to
identify HCAs.
Item 18: Venoco needs to include system maps or other suitable detailed means for
documenting the pipehne segment locations that are located in HCAs
Item 1C. Venoco must ensure to apply the formula (r — 0. 69(p~d ) ) for the calculation
of the potential impact radius accurately and consistently with $192 903 requirements.
Item 10. Venoco must ensure to use pubhc officials as sources of information in its
identification process for identified sites.
Item 1E. Venoco must include details how it included as a high consequence area, any
area in Class 1 and Class 2 piping locations where the potential impact circle contains an
identified site.
An operator's initial integrity management program begins with a framework (see.
$192. 907) and evollves into a more detailed and comprehensive integrity
management program, as information is gained and incorporated into the program.
An operator must make continual improvements to its program. The initial
program framework and subsequent p~ogram must, at minimum, contain the
following elements. (When indicated, refe~ to ASMK/ANSI 831. 8S (incorporated
by reference, see $192. 7) for more detailed information on the listed element. )
(c) An identification of threats to each covered pipehne segment, which must
include data integration and a risk assessment. An operator must use the threat
identification and risk assessment to prioritize covered segments for assessment
($192. 917) andi to evajluate the merits of additional preventive and mitigative
measures ($192. 935) for each covered segment.
Item 2A: Venoco needs to mclude details in its justification for ehminating threats m its
threat analysis.
Item 28: Venoco needs to include the use of a common spatial reference system and
integration of data on encroachments and foreign hne crossings.
Item 2C. Venoco needs to include further clarification and additional details on how its
risk assessments are apphed to mitigative measures



Item 2D: Venoco needs to include details how risk assessment was recalculated for each
segment to reflect the results from an mtegrity assessment or to account for completed
prevention and mitigation actions.
Item 2E Venoco must ensure adequate time and personnel have been allocated to permit
effective implementation of its IMP plan and completion of the selected risk assessment
approach
(c) Schedule for evaluation and remediation . An oper ator must complete
remediation of a condition according to a schedule prioritizing the conditions for
evaluation and remediation. Unless a special requirement for remediating certain
conditions appHes, as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, an operator must
follow the schedule in ASMK/~SI 831. 8S (incorporated by reference, see $192. 7),
section 7, Figure 4. If an operator cannot meet the schedule for any condition, the
operator must explain the reasons why it cannot meet the schedule and how the
changed schedule will not jeopardize pubhc safety.
Item 3A: Venoco needs to include a requirement to document the justification, when a
remediation activity cannot be completed within estabhshed timeframe This
requirement must include reasons why the schedule cannot be met and the basis for why
the changed schedule will not jeopardize pubhc safety
Item 38: Venoco needs to more fully describe how it records "monitored conditions" and
monitor these conditions during subsequent assessments.
(f) A process for continual evaluation and assessment meeting the requirements of
$192. 937.
(b) Evaluation. An operator must conduct a periodic evaluation as frequently
as needed to assure the integrity of each covered segment. The periodic
evaluation must be based on a data integration and risk assessment of the
entire pipeHne as specified in $192. 917. For plastic transmission pipeHnes, the
periodic evaluation is based on the threat analysis specified in 192. 917(d).
For al1l other transmission pipehnes, the evaluation must consider the past



Item 3C: Venoco needs to specify the frequency of its periodic evaluations.
(b) Third party damage and outside force damage-
(l) Thii 6 party damage. An operator must enhance its damage prevention program,
as required under gjL92. 6l4 of this part, with respect to a covered segment to
prevent and mininuze the consequences of a release due to third party damage.
Enhanced measures to an existing damage prevention program include, at a
(iv) Monitoring of excavations conducted on covered pipeline segments by pipeline
personnel. 1f an operator finds physical evidence of encroachment involving
excavation that the operator did not monitor near a covered segment, an operator
must either excavate the area near the encroachment or conduct an above ground
sur vey using methods defined in RACK RP — 0502 — 2002 (incorporated by reference
see gl92. 7). An operator must excavate, and remediate, in accordance with
ANS1/ASMK 83l. 8S and g]I. 92. 933 any indication of'coating holidays or
discontinuity warranting direct examination.
Item 3D: Venoco needs to indicate in its IMP plan that for locations where there is
physical evidence of encroachment involving excavation, and Venoco did not monitor
this excavation near a covered segment, that Venoco will either: excavate the suspect
encroached area, or use above ground indirect survey methods to identify if there is
damage to the pipehne and take appropriate remedial actions if necessary.
(2) Outside force damage. 1f an operator determines that outside force ( e. g. ,
earth
movement, floods, unstable suspension bridge) is a threat to the integrity of a
covered segment, the operator must take measures to minimize the consequences to
the covered segment from outside force damage. These measures include, but are
not hmited to, inc~easing the frequency of aerial, foot or other methods of patrols,
adding external protection, reducing external stress, and relocating the Hne.
Item 3E: Venoco needs to complete its work on the action item identified to
evaluate preventive and mitigative measures to address the threats on its pipehnes
from potential earthquakes.



Item 3F Venoco needs to include a requirement to evaluate whether additional third
party preventive and mitigative measures need to be implemented
(a) General. An operator must include in its integrity management program
methods to measure, on a semi-annual basis, whether the program is effective in
assessing and evaluating the integrity of each covered pipehne segment and in
protecting the high consequence areas. These measures must include the four
overall performance measures specified in ASMK/AXSL 831. 8S (incorporated by
reference, see $192. 7), section 9. 4, and the specific measures for each identified
threat specified in ASMK/ANSI 831. 8S, Appendix A. An operator must submit the
four overall performance measures, by electronic or other means, on a semi-annual
frequency to OPS in accordance with $192. 951. An operator must submit its first
report on overall performance measures by August 31, 2004. Thereafter, the
performance measures must be complete through June 30 and Becember 31 of each
year and must be submitted within 2 months after those dates.
Item 36: Venoco needs to specify that performance is measured semi-annually in
accordance with the threat-specific metrics of ASME B31. 8S-2001, Table 9.
(d) Bocuments to support any decision, analysis and process developed and used to
implement and evaluate each element of the basehne assessment plan and integrity
management program. Bocuments include those developed and used in support of
any identification, calculation, amendment, modification, justification, deviation
and determination made, and any action taken to implement and evaluate any of the
pr ogram elements;
Item 3H: Venoco needs to expand the recordkeeping documentation requirements to
support decisions, analyses, and calculations
(k) A. management of change process as outlined in ASMK/ANSI 831. 8S, section 11.
Item 3I: Venoco needs to include reasons for changes in MOC process documentation
Item 3J. Venoco needs to ensure that for significant changes in its IMP plan, it provides
notification to PHMSA, i. e. the change from 1 '/z+ miles to 37+ miles of transmission
pip ehne.



Item 314' Venoco needs to update the MOC process' Information Update List under DOT
Comphance Review, to include IMP plan impacts/revisions, and to ensure the MOC SOP
addresses impact to the IMP plan in its processes.
Item 3L. Venoco needs to ensure that meeting notes and corrective action to improve iis
IMP plan and the quality assurance processes have been documented
Item 3M: Venoco needs to mclude a process to ensure the quahty of work of its
contractors performing IMP related activities
Iem 3N: Venoco needs to mclude mternal communication plan to establish the
understanding and support for the IMP.
Item 30: Venoco needs to include details of how it will address safety concerns
raised by State and OPS pipehne safety authorities in its Communications Plan.
Res onse to this Notice
This Notice is provided pursuant to 49 U. S. C. ( 60108(a) and 49 C. F. R. ) 190. 237. Enclosed as
part of this Notice is a document entitled Response Options for Pipeline Operators in
Compliance ProceeCings Please refer to this document and note the response options. Be
advised that all material you submit in response to this enforcement action is subject to being
made pubhcly available. If you beheve that any portion of your responsive material quahfies 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 potions you beheve quahfy for
confidential treatment redacted and an explanation of why you beheve the redacted information
quahfies for confidential treatment under 5 U. S. C. 552(b). If you do not respond within 30 days
of receipt of this Notice, this constitutes a waiver of your right to contest the allegations m this
Notice and authorizes the Associate Administrator for Pipehne Safety to find facts as alleged in
this Notice without further notice to you and to issue a Final Order.
If, after opportunity for a hearing, your plans or procedures are found inadequate as alleged in
this Notice, you may be ordered to amend your plans or procedures to correct the inadequacies
(49 C. F. R. ) 190. 237) If you are not contesting this Notice, we propose that you submit your
amended procedures to my office within [number of days] days of receipt of this Notice. This
period may be extended by written request for good cause. Once the inadequacies identified
herein have been addressed in your amended procedures, this enforcement action will be closed



In correspondence concerning tins matter, please refer to CPF 5-2008-1007M and, for each
document you submit, please provide a copy in electronic format whenever possible.
Sincerely,
(
Chris Hoidal
Director, Western Region
Pipehne and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Enclosure: Response Options for Pipeline Operators in Compliance Proceedings
cc PHP-60 Comphance Registry
PHP-500 (P. Nguyen, ¹119231)
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