# NORGASCO INC — Notice of Amendment

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 520111005M
- **title:** NORGASCO INC — Notice of Amendment
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2011-08-25
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of amendment citing 192.616(b), 192.616(c), 192.616(d)(2), 192.616(d)(3), 192.616(d)(4).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520111005m.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520111005m.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520111005m
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520111005M
**body:**

Notice of Amendment involving NORGASCO INC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 192.616(b),  192.616(c),  192.616(d)(2),  192.616(d)(3),  192.616(d)(4). The case was opened on 2011-08-25 and is reported as closed as of 2011-12-07. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

520111005M_closure letter_12072011.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520111005M/520111005M_closure%20letter_12072011.pdf

520111005M_closure letter_12072011_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520111005M/520111005M_closure%20letter_12072011_text.pdf

520111005M_notice of amendment_08252011.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520111005M/520111005M_notice%20of%20amendment_08252011.pdf

520111005M_notice of amendment_08252011_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520111005M/520111005M_notice%20of%20amendment_08252011_text.pdf

520111005M_Operator Response to Notice_10172011.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520111005M/520111005M_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice_10172011.pdf

520111005M_notice of amendment_08252011_text.pdf

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT
VIA UPS GROUND: 1Z WR2 588 03 9099 0368
August 25, 2011
Mr. Richard Cathriner
Director of Operations
Norgasco, Inc.
4341 B Street
Suite 306
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
CPF 5-2011-1005M
Dear Mr. Cathriner:
On August 11, 2011, a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code, inspected
Norgasco, Inc.’s (Norgasco) procedures for Public Awareness Program in Anchorage,
Alaska.
On the basis of the inspection, PHMSA has identified the apparent inadequacies found within
Nrogasco’s plans or procedures, as described below:
1. §192.616 Public Awareness
(b) The operator's program must follow the general program recommendations
of API RP 1162 and assess the unique attributes and characteristics of the
operator's pipeline and facilities.
Norgasco’s program did not list areas where gas is not odorized. Norgasco must include in
their Public Awareness message, locations where the gas is not odorized and where it is
odorized.
2. §192.616 Public Awareness
(d) The operator's program must specifically include provisions to educate the
public, appropriate government organizations, and persons engaged in



excavation related activities on:
(2) Possible hazards associated with unintended releases from a gas pipeline
facility;
Norgasco’s program does not include information on the hazards associated with unintended
release of natural gas. Norgasco’s program must include information on the possible hazards
of releases of natural gas.
3. §192.616 Public Awareness
(d) The operator's program must specifically include provisions to educate the
public, appropriate government organizations, and persons engaged in
excavation related activities on:
(3) Physical indications that such a release may have occurred
Norgasco’s program does not include information on the physical indications of a release of
natural gas. Norgasco’s program must include information on the physical indications of a
natural gas pipeline release.
4. §192.616 Public Awareness
(d) The operator's program must specifically include provisions to educate the
public, appropriate government organizations, and persons engaged in
excavation related activities on:
(4) Steps that should be taken for public safety in the event of a gas pipeline
release
Norgasco’s program does not include information on what steps should be taken for public
safety in the event of a gas pipeline release. Norgasco’s program must include information
on what steps should be taken for public safety in the event of a gas pipeline release.
5. §192.616 Public Awareness
(c) The operator must follow the general program recommendations, including
baseline and supplemental requirements of API RP 1162, unless the operator
provides justification in its program or procedural manual as to why compliance
with all or certain provisions of the recommended practice is not practicable and
not necessary for safety.
Norgasco failed to document their annual program evaluation and the changes made to the
program as a result of the evaluation. Norgasco must document the evaluation of their
program in accordance with API RP 1162.
2



Response 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 Proceedings. 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 publicly available. If you believe that any portion of your 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 of why you believe the redacted
information qualifies 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 in this Notice and authorizes the Associate Administrator for Pipeline 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 90 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.
It is requested (not mandated) that Norgasco, Inc. maintain documentation of the safety
improvement costs associated with fulfilling this Notice of Amendment (preparation/revision
of plans, procedures) and submit the total to Dennis Hinnah, Deputy Director, Western
Region, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. In correspondence
concerning this matter, please send all documents to our office at 188 W. Northern Lights
Blvd., Suite 520, Anchorage, AK 99503, referring to CPF 5-2011-1005M and, for each
document you submit, please provide a copy in electronic format whenever possible.
Sincerely,
Dennis Hinnah
Deputy Director, Western Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Enclosure: Response Options for Pipeline Operators in Compliance Proceedings
cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry
PHP-500 B. Flanders (#135534)
3

520111005M_closure letter_12072011_text.pdf

VIA: UPS GROUND
December 7, 2011
Mr. Richard Cathriner
Director of Operations
Norgasco, Inc
4341 B Street
Suite 306
Anchorage, AK 99503
CPF 5-2011-1005M
Dear Mr. Cathriner:
On August 11, 2011, a representative from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to chapter 601 of 49 United States Code, conducted an
on-site pipeline safety inspection of Norgasco’s Public Awareness Program procedures in
Anchorage, Alaska. As a result of the inspection, Norgasco was issued a Notice of
Amendment on August 25, 2011, which proposed amendment of your procedures.
Norgasco submitted its amended procedures on October 17, 2011. PHMSA has reviewed the
amended procedures, and it appears that the inadequacies outlined in this Notice of
Amendment have been corrected.
This letter is to inform you no further action is necessary and this case is now closed. Thank
you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Dennis Hinnah
Deputy Director, Western Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry
PHP-500 B. Flanders (#135534)
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