# NORTHWEST PIPELINE LLC — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 520141002
- **title:** NORTHWEST PIPELINE LLC — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2014-11-13
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 192.179(a).
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- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520141002.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520141002
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520141002
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving NORTHWEST PIPELINE LLC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 192.179(a). The case was opened on 2014-11-13 and is reported as closed as of 2016-03-15. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

520141002_Closure Letter_03152016.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520141002/520141002_Closure%20Letter_03152016.pdf

520141002_Closure Letter_03152016_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520141002/520141002_Closure%20Letter_03152016_text.pdf

520141002_Final Order_12292015.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520141002/520141002_Final%20Order_12292015.pdf

520141002_Final Order_12292015_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520141002/520141002_Final%20Order_12292015_text.pdf

520141002_NOPV PCO_11132014.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520141002/520141002_NOPV%20PCO_11132014.pdf

520141002_NOPV PCO_11132014_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520141002/520141002_NOPV%20PCO_11132014_text.pdf

520141002_Operator Response to Notice_01192015.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520141002/520141002_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice_01192015.pdf

520141002_Final Order_12292015_text.pdf

December 29, 2015
Mr. Alan S. Armstrong
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Williams Companies, Inc.
One Williams Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172-0172
Re: CPF No. 5-2014-1002
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes a finding of
violation and specifies actions that need to be taken by Williams Northwest Pipeline, LLC to
comply with the pipeline safety regulations. When the terms of the compliance order have been
completed, as determined by the Director, Western Region, this enforcement action will be
closed. Service of the Final Order by certified mail is deemed effective upon the date of mailing,
or as otherwise provided under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey D. Wiese
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Enclosure
cc: Director, Western Region, OPS
Mr. Walter Bennett, Senior Vice President, West, One Williams Center, Tulsa,
Oklahoma, 74172-0172
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590
____________________________________
)
In the Matter of )
)
Williams Northwest Pipeline LLC, ) CPF No. 5-2014-1002
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
FINAL ORDER
On September 23-27, 2013, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60117, a representative of the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS),
conducted an on-site pipeline safety inspection of the facilities and records of Williams
Northwest Pipeline, LLC (Williams or Respondent) in Colorado and Utah. Williams’
transmission system spans approximately 3,900 miles and traverses Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
As a result of the inspection, the Director, Western Region, OPS (Director), issued to
Respondent, by letter dated November 13, 2014, a Notice of Probable Violation and Proposed
Compliance Order (Notice). In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the Notice proposed
finding that Williams violated 49 C.F.R. § 192.179 and proposed ordering Respondent to take
certain measures to correct the alleged violation.
FINDING OF VIOLATION
In its Response, Williams did not contest the allegation in the Notice that it violated 49 C.F.R.
Part 192, as follows:
Item 1: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 192.179(a), which states:
§ 192.179 Transmission line valves.
(a) Each transmission line, other than offshore segments, must have
sectionalizing block valves spaced as follows, unless in a particular case
the Administrator finds that alternative spacing would provide an
equivalent level of safety:
(1) Each point on the pipeline in a Class 4 location must be within 21⁄2



CPF No. 5-2014-1002
Page 2
miles (4 kilometers) of a valve.
(2) Each point on the pipeline in a Class 3 location must be within 4
miles (6.4 kilometers) of a valve.
(3) Each point on the pipeline in a Class 2 location must be within 71⁄2
miles (12 kilometers) of a valve.
(4) Each point on the pipeline in a Class 1 location must be within 10
miles (16 kilometers) of a valve.
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 192.179(a) by failing to have
sectionalizing block valves spaced at each point on its pipeline in a Class 3 location within 4
miles of a valve, without a finding by the Administrator that alternative spacing would provide
an equivalent level of safety. Specifically, the Notice alleged that Williams failed to have
sectionalizing block valves at its Class 3 mainline near the Animas Air Park in Durango,
Colorado.
Respondent did not contest this allegation of violation.
Accordingly, based upon a review of all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49
C.F.R. § 192.179(a) by failing to have sectionalizing block valves spaced at each point on its
pipeline in a Class 3 location within 4 miles of a valve, without a finding by the Administrator
that alternative spacing would provide an equivalent level of safety.
This finding of violation will be considered a prior offense in any subsequent enforcement action
taken against Respondent.
COMPLIANCE ORDER
The Notice proposed a compliance order with respect to Item 1 in the Notice for a violation of 49
C.F.R. § 192.179(a). Under 49 U.S.C. § 60118(a), each person who engages in the
transportation of gas or who owns or operates a pipeline facility is required to comply with the
applicable safety standards established under chapter 601. Pursuant to the authority of 49 U.S.C.
§ 60118(b) and 49 C.F.R. § 190.217, Respondent is ordered to take the following actions to
ensure compliance with the pipeline safety regulations applicable to its operations:
1. With respect to the violation of § 192.179(a) (Item 1), Respondent must add a new
valve that meets the 4-mile spacing requirement for Class 3 areas. In addition, the
operator must evaluate block valve spacing for its entire pipeline system in
accordance with its most recent class location study to ensure that the valves are
correctly placed with respect to classifications. This item must be fully completed by
November 1, 2015.
2. It is requested that Williams maintain documentation of the safety improvement
costs associated with fulfilling this Order and submit the total to the Director,
Western Region. It is requested that the costs be reported in two categories: (1) total
cost associated with the preparation/revision of plans, procedures, studies, and



CPF No. 5-2014-1002
Page 3
analyses; and (2) total cost associated with replacements, additions, and other changes
to pipeline infrastructure.
The Director may grant an extension of time to comply with any of the required items upon a
written request timely submitted by the Respondent and demonstrating good cause for an
extension.
Failure to comply with this Order may result in the administrative assessment of civil penalties
not to exceed $200,000 for each violation for each day the violation continues or in referral to the
Attorney General for appropriate relief in a district court of the United States.
Under 49 C.F.R. § 190.243, Respondent has a right to submit a Petition for Reconsideration of
this Final Order. The petition must be sent to: Associate Administrator, Office of Pipeline
Safety, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, East Building, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC
20590, with a copy sent to the Office of Chief Counsel, PHMSA, at the same address. PHMSA
will accept petitions received no later than 20 days after receipt of service of this Final Order by
the Respondent, provided they contain a brief statement of the issue(s) and meet all other
requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 190.243. Unless the Associate Administrator, upon request, grants a
stay, the terms and conditions of this Final Order are effective upon service in accordance with
49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
___________________________________ __________________________
Jeffrey D. Wiese Date Issued
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety

520141002_Closure Letter_03152016_text.pdf

CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
March 15, 2016
Ms. Allison Bridges
Vice President
Williams Northwest Pipeline, LLC
295 Chipeta Way
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
RE: CPF 5-2014-1002
Dear Ms. Bridges:
On December 29, 2015, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
issued to Williams Northwest Pipeline, LLC a Final Order in the above-referenced case. This
Order included a Compliance Order. Based on our review of the documentation you provided, it
has been determined that you have complied with the terms of this Order.
Accordingly, this case is now closed and no further action is contemplated with respect to the
matters involved in this case. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Chris Hoidal
Director, Western Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry
PHP-500 J. Haddow
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