{"operation":"document","citation":"CPF 520091008W","title":"NORTHWEST PIPELINE LLC — Warning Letter","source_type":"enforcement","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"historical","official":true,"published_on":"2009-11-23","effective_on":null,"summary":"CLOSED warning letter citing 192.479.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520091008w.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520091008w.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520091008w","source_url":"https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520091008W","body":"Warning Letter involving NORTHWEST PIPELINE LLC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 192.479. The case was opened on 2009-11-23 and is reported as closed as of 2009-11-23. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.\n\nOfficial case documents:\n\n520091008W_warning letter_11232009.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520091008W/520091008W_warning%20letter_11232009.pdf\n\n520091008W_warning letter_11232009_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520091008W/520091008W_warning%20letter_11232009_text.pdf\n\n520091008W_warning letter_11232009_text.pdf\n\nWARNING LETTER\nCERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED\nNovember 23, 2009\nMr. Larry Hjalmerson\nPresident\nNorthwest Pipeline Corporation (WGP)\n2800 Post Oak Blvd., Mail Stop 21\nHouston, TX 77056\nCPF 5-2009-1008W\nDear Mr. Hjalmerson:\nOn July 13, 2009, a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety\nAdministration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code, inspected your\nKemmerer District gas pipeline system in Kemmerer, Wyoming.\nAs a result of the inspection, it appears that Northwest Pipeline Corporation (WGP) have\ncommitted a probable violation of the Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal\nRegulations. The items inspected and the probable violations are:\n1. §192.479 Atmospheric corrosion control; General.\n(a) Each operator must clean and coat each pipeline or portion of pipeline that is\nexposed to the atmosphere, except pipelines under paragraph (c) of this section.\n(b) Coating material must be suitable for the prevention of atmospheric corrosion.\n(c) Except portions of pipelines in offshore splash zones or soil-to-air interfaces, the\noperator need not protect from atmospheric corrosion any pipeline for which the\noperator demonstrates by test, investigation, or experience appropriate to the\nenvironment of the pipeline that corrosion will-\n\n\n\n(1) Only be a light surface oxide; or\n(2) Not affect the safe operation of the pipeline before the next scheduled\ninspection.\nThe coating was degraded and the pipe was exposed near the air-to-soil interface in the Green\nRiver Compressor Station yard on the Loop line riser, suction-side; and at the Crossover-16 riser.\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\nassessment proceedings at this time. We advise you to correct the item(s) identified in this letter.\nFailure to do so will result in Northwest Pipeline Corporation being subject to additional\nenforcement action.\nNo reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, in your correspondence please refer to\nCPF 5-2009-1008W. Be advised that all material you submit in response to this enforcement\naction is subject to being made publicly available. If you believe that any portion of your\nresponsive material qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b), along with the\ncomplete original document you must provide a second copy of the document with the portions\nyou believe qualify for confidential treatment redacted and an explanation of why you believe\nthe redacted information qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b).\nSincerely,\nChris Hoidal\nDirector, Western Region\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\ncc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry\nPHP-500 C. Allen (#123981)\n2","truncated":false,"body_characters":3679}