{"operation":"document","citation":"CPF 520090022W","title":"NORGASCO INC — Warning Letter","source_type":"enforcement","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"historical","official":true,"published_on":"2009-09-09","effective_on":null,"summary":"CLOSED warning letter citing 192.225(a), 192.241(a)(1), 192.739(a).","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520090022w.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520090022w.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520090022w","source_url":"https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520090022W","body":"Warning Letter involving NORGASCO INC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 192.225(a),  192.241(a)(1),  192.739(a). The case was opened on 2009-09-09 and is reported as closed as of 2009-09-09. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.\n\nOfficial case documents:\n\n520090022W_warning letter_09092009.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520090022W/520090022W_warning%20letter_09092009.pdf\n\n520090022W_warning letter_09092009_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520090022W/520090022W_warning%20letter_09092009_text.pdf\n\n520090022W_warning letter_09092009_text.pdf\n\nWARNING LETTER\nCERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED\nSeptember 9, 2009\nMr. LeRoy Frank\nDirector of Operations\nNorgasco, Inc.\n4341 B, Suite 306\nAnchorage, Alaska 99503\nCPF 5-2009-0022W\nDear Mr. Frank:\nBetween April 20-23, 2009, a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety\nAdministration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code, inspected your\nfacilities and records of operation in Anchorage and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.\nAs a result of the inspection, it appears that you have committed probable violations of the\nPipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The items inspected and the\nprobable violations are:\n1. §192.225 Welding Procedures\n(a) Welding must be performed by a qualified welder in accordance with welding\nprocedures qualified under section 5 of API 1104 (incorporated by reference, see\n§192.7) or section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code \"Welding and\nBrazing Qualifications\" (incorporated by reference, see §192.7) to produce welds\nmeeting the requirements of this subpart. The quality of the test welds used to\nqualify welding procedures shall be determined by destructive testing in accordance\nwith the applicable welding standard(s).\n\n\n\nThe operator did not provide destructive testing results for the welding procedure used on\nthe construction of the new pressure reduction station built in 2008. The specific evidence\nupon which the probable violation is based is Norgasco’s Weld Procedure P-1, dated\nJanuary 6, 1989.\n2. §192.241 Inspection and test of welds.\n(a) Visual inspection of welding must be conducted by an individual qualified by\nappropriate training and experience to ensure that:\n(1) The welding is performed in accordance with the welding procedure; and\n(2) The weld is acceptable under paragraph (c) of this section.\nNorgasco did not provide records indicating that visual inspections had been performed\non in-process welding of the new pressure reduction station to ensure that the welding\nprocedure was followed. The specific evidence upon which the probable violation is\nbased is Norgasco’s Weld Procedure P-1, dated January 6, 1989, and the welder\nqualification record of Jose Ramirez, NAD-102-rev-1, dated 9-16-2004.\n3. §192.739 Pressure limiting and regulating stations: Inspection and testing.\n(a) Each pressure limiting station, relief device (except rupture discs), and Pressure\nregulating station and its equipment must be subjected at intervals not exceeding 15\nmonths, but at least once each calendar year, to inspections and tests to determine\nthat it is–\n(1) In good mechanical condition;\n(2) Adequate from the standpoint of capacity and reliability of operation for the\nservice in which it is employed;\n(3) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, set to control or relieve at\nthe correct pressure consistent with the pressure limits of §192.201(a);; and\n(4) Properly installed and protected from dirt, liquids, or other conditions that\nmight prevent proper operation.\nThe operator has not calibrated pressure gauges that are used to test pressure relief valves\nand to adjust the relief valves to ensure the correct pressure consistent with the pressure\nlimits of §192.201(a).\nUnder 49 United States Code, §60122, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000\nfor each violation for each day the violation persists up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any\nrelated series of violations. We have reviewed the circumstances and supporting documents\ninvolved in this case, and have decided not to conduct additional enforcement action or penalty\n2\n\n\n\nassessment proceedings at this time. We advise you to correct the items identified in this letter.\nFailure to do so will result in Norgasco Inc. being subject to additional enforcement action.\nNo reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, in your correspondence please refer to\nCPF 5-2009-0022W and send all responses to my attention at 222 W. 7th Ave. #200, PO Box 37,\nAnchorage, Alaska, 99513. Be advised that all material you submit in response to this\nenforcement action is subject to being made publicly available. If you believe that any portion of\nyour responsive material qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b), along with\nthe complete original document you must provide a second copy of the document with the\nportions you believe qualify for confidential treatment redacted and an explanation of why you\nbelieve the redacted information qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b).\nSincerely,\nDennis Hinnah\nDeputy Director, Western Region\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\ncc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry\nPHP-500 B. Flanders (#123910)\n3","truncated":false,"body_characters":5383}