# NAVAJO NATION OIL AND GAS COMPANY — Warning Letter

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 52021032WL
- **title:** NAVAJO NATION OIL AND GAS COMPANY — Warning Letter
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2021-06-23
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED warning letter citing 199.105(c)(6), 199.113(c), 199.119(a), 199.241, 40.11(b).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-52021032wl.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-52021032wl.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-52021032wl
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/52021032WL
**body:**

Warning Letter involving NAVAJO NATION OIL AND GAS COMPANY. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 199.105(c)(6),  199.113(c),  199.119(a),  199.241,  40.11(b). The case was opened on 2021-06-23 and is reported as closed as of 2021-06-23. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

52021032WL_Warning Letter_06232021_(21-203352) .pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/52021032WL/52021032WL_Warning%20Letter_06232021_(21-203352)%20.pdf

52021032WL_Warning Letter_06232021_(21-203352)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/52021032WL/52021032WL_Warning%20Letter_06232021_(21-203352)_text.pdf

52021032WL_Warning Letter_06232021_(21-203352)_text.pdf

WARNING LETTER
VIA E-MAIL TO MR. JAMES R. MCCLURE
June 23, 2021
Mr. James R. McClure
President
Navajo Oil and Gas Company
50 Narbono Circle West
St. Michaels, AZ 86511
CPF 5-2021-032-WL
Dear McClure:
From March 4, 2021 to May 18, 2021, representatives of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code (U.S.C.),
inspected Navajo Nation Gas and Oil Company (NNGOC) PHMSA Drug and Alcohol (D&A)
program by virtual and other electronic means.
As a result of the inspection, it is alleged that NNGOC has committed probable violations of the
Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The items inspected
and the probable violations are as follows:
1. § 40.11 What are the general responsibilities of employers under this regulation?
...
(b) You are responsible for all actions of your officials, representatives, and agents
(including service agents) in carrying out the requirements of the DOT agency
regulations.
NNOGC was not responsible for all actions of its officials, representatives, and agents (including
service agents) in carrying out the requirements of the DOT agency regulations. NNOGC
delegated some of its D&A program functions to its service agent; the Reliance Medical Group



(RMG). During the inspection of the NNOGC random drug testing program, PHMSA received
several emails from the NNOGC Designated Employer Representative (DER) which stated that
NNOGC refused to accept the responsibility for the failure of RMG to complete the drug testing
of several of the employees selected for random drug testing.
2. §199.119 Reporting of anti-drug testing results.
(a) Each large operator (having more than 50 covered employees) must submit
an annual Management Information System (MIS) report to PHMSA of its anti-
drug testing using the MIS form and instructions as required by 49 CFR part 40 (at
§40.26 and appendix H to part 40), not later than March 15 of each year for the
prior calendar year (January 1 through December 31). The Administrator may
require by notice in the PHMSA Portal
(https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov/phmsaportallanding) that small operators (50 or fewer
covered employees), not otherwise required to submit annual MIS reports, to
prepare and submit such reports to PHMSA.
NNOGC, a small operator, did not correctly prepare and submit the required annual MIS report
to PHMSA after having been required by the Administrator to submit a report for calendar year
2019.
While NNOGC submitted an annual MIS report for calendar year 2019 to PHMSA, it did not
include any random drug test information.
3. §199.113 Employee assistance program.
...
(c) Training under each EAP for supervisory personnel who will determine whether
an employee must be drug tested based on reasonable cause must include one 60-
minute period of training on the specific, contemporaneous physical, behavioral,
and performance indicators of probable drug use.
The NNOGC EAP did not include one 60-minute period of training on the specific,
contemporaneous physical, behavioral, and performance indicators of probable drug use for its
supervisory personnel who will determine whether an employee must be drug tested based on
reasonable cause.
During the inspection, PHMSA asked for records of this required supervisor training. The
NNGOC DER replied via return email that NNGOC did not have any training records because
the training had not been completed.
4. §199.241 Training for supervisors.
Each operator shall ensure that persons designated to determine whether
reasonable suspicion exists to require a covered employee to undergo alcohol testing
under §199.225(b) receive at least 60 minutes of training on the physical, behavioral,
2



speech, and performance indicators of probable alcohol misuse.
NNOGC did not ensure that persons designated to determine whether reasonable suspicion exists
to require a covered employee to undergo alcohol testing under §199.225(b) received at least 60
minutes of training on the physical, behavioral, speech, and performance indicators of probable
alcohol misuse.
During the inspection, PHMSA asked for records of this required supervisor training. The
NNGOC DER replied via return email that NNGOC did not have any training records because
the training had not been completed.
5. §199.105 Drug tests required.
…
(c)
...
(6) The operator shall randomly select a sufficient number of covered employees for
testing during each calendar year to equal an annual rate not less than the
minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing determined by the
Administrator. If the operator conducts random drug testing through a consortium,
the number of employees to be tested may be calculated for each individual operator
or may be based on the total number of covered employees covered by the
consortium who are subject to random drug testing at the same minimum annual
percentage rate under this subpart or any DOT drug testing rule.
NNGOC failed to randomly select a sufficient number of covered employees for testing during
each calendar year to equal an annual rate not less than the minimum annual percentage rate for
random drug testing determined by the Administrator.
NNGOC conducts random drug testing through a consortium. In calendar year 2020, NNGOC’s
consortium failed to meet the minimum random drug test rate of 50 percent. The consortium
selected only three employees for random drug tests; and, of those three, only one was tested for
drugs, which is an annual rate of only 10 percent.
Under 49 U.S.C. § 60122 and 49 CFR § 190.223, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed
$225,134 per violation per day the violation persists, up to a maximum of $2,251,334 for a
related series of violations. For violation occurring on or after January 11, 2021 and before May
3, 2021, the maximum penalty may not exceed $222,504 per violation per day the violation
persists, up to a maximum of $2,225,034 for a related series of violations. For violation
occurring on or after July 31, 2019 and before January 11, 2021, the maximum penalty may not
exceed $218,647 per violation per day the violation persists, up to a maximum of $2,186,465 for
a related series of violations. For violation occurring on or after November 27, 2018 and before
July 31, 2019, the maximum penalty may not exceed $213,268 per violation per day, with a
maximum penalty not to exceed $2,132,679. For violation occurring on or after November 2,
2015 and before November 27, 2018, the maximum penalty may not exceed $209,002 per
3



violation per day, with a maximum penalty not to exceed $2,090,022.
We have reviewed the circumstances and supporting documents involved in this case, and have
decided not to conduct additional enforcement action or penalty assessment proceedings at this
time. We advise you to correct the items identified in this letter. Failure to do so will result in
NNGOC being subject to additional enforcement action.
No reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, in your correspondence please refer to
CPF 5-2021-032-WL. 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).
Sincerely,
Dustin Hubbard
Director, Western Region, Office of Pipeline Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry
4

52021032WL_Warning Letter_06232021_(21-203352) .pdf

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
12300 W. Dakota Ave., Suite 110
Lakewood, CO 80228
WARNING LETTER
VIA E-MAIL TO MR. JAMES R. MCCLURE
June 23, 2021
Mr. James R. McClure
President
Navajo Oil and Gas Company
50 Narbono Circle West
St. Michaels, AZ 86511
CPF 5-2021-032-WL
Dear Mr. McClure:
From March 4, 2021 to May 18, 2021, representatives of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code (U.S.C.),
inspected Navajo Nation Gas and Oil Company (NNGOC) PHMSA Drug and Alcohol (D&A)
program by virtual and other electronic means.
As a result of the inspection, it is alleged that NNGOC has committed probable violations of the
Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The items inspected
and the probable violations are as follows:
1. § 40.11 What are the general responsibilities of employers under this regulation?
...
(b) You are responsible for all actions of your officials, representatives, and agents
(including service agents) in carrying out the requirements of the DOT agency
regulations.
NNOGC was not responsible for all actions of its officials, representatives, and agents (including
service agents) in carrying out the requirements of the DOT agency regulations. NNOGC
delegated some of its D&A program functions to its service agent; the Reliance Medical Group



(RMG). During the inspection of the NNOGC random drug testing program, PHMSA received
several emails from the NNOGC Designated Employer Representative (DER) which stated that
NNOGC refused to accept the responsibility for the failure of RMG to complete the drug testing
of several of the employees selected for random drug testing.
2. §199.119 Reporting of anti-drug testing results.
(a) Each large operator (having more than 50 covered employees) must submit
an annual Management Information System (MIS) report to PHMSA of its anti-
drug testing using the MIS form and instructions as required by 49 CFR part 40 (at
§40.26 and appendix H to part 40), not later than March 15 of each year for the
prior calendar year (January 1 through December 31). The Administrator may
require by notice in the PHMSA Portal
(https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov/phmsaportallanding) that small operators (50 or fewer
covered employees), not otherwise required to submit annual MIS reports, to
prepare and submit such reports to PHMSA.
NNOGC, a small operator, did not correctly prepare and submit the required annual MIS report
to PHMSA after having been required by the Administrator to submit a report for calendar year
2019.
While NNOGC submitted an annual MIS report for calendar year 2019 to PHMSA, it did not
include any random drug test information.
3. §199.113 Employee assistance program.
...
(c) Training under each EAP for supervisory personnel who will determine whether
an employee must be drug tested based on reasonable cause must include one 60-
minute period of training on the specific, contemporaneous physical, behavioral,
and performance indicators of probable drug use.
The NNOGC EAP did not include one 60-minute period of training on the specific,
contemporaneous physical, behavioral, and performance indicators of probable drug use for its
supervisory personnel who will determine whether an employee must be drug tested based on
reasonable cause.
During the inspection, PHMSA asked for records of this required supervisor training. The
NNGOC DER replied via return email that NNGOC did not have any training records because
the training had not been completed.
4. §199.241 Training for supervisors.
Each operator shall ensure that persons designated to determine whether
reasonable suspicion exists to require a covered employee to undergo alcohol testing
under §199.225(b) receive at least 60 minutes of training on the physical, behavioral,
2



speech, and performance indicators of probable alcohol misuse.
NNOGC did not ensure that persons designated to determine whether reasonable suspicion exists
to require a covered employee to undergo alcohol testing under §199.225(b) received at least 60
minutes of training on the physical, behavioral, speech, and performance indicators of probable
alcohol misuse.
During the inspection, PHMSA asked for records of this required supervisor training. The
NNGOC DER replied via return email that NNGOC did not have any training records because
the training had not been completed.
5. §199.105 Drug tests required.
…
(c)
...
(6) The operator shall randomly select a sufficient number of covered employees for
testing during each calendar year to equal an annual rate not less than the
minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing determined by the
Administrator. If the operator conducts random drug testing through a consortium,
the number of employees to be tested may be calculated for each individual operator
or may be based on the total number of covered employees covered by the
consortium who are subject to random drug testing at the same minimum annual
percentage rate under this subpart or any DOT drug testing rule.
NNGOC failed to randomly select a sufficient number of covered employees for testing during
each calendar year to equal an annual rate not less than the minimum annual percentage rate for
random drug testing determined by the Administrator.
NNGOC conducts random drug testing through a consortium. In calendar year 2020, NNGOC’s
consortium failed to meet the minimum random drug test rate of 50 percent. The consortium
selected only three employees for random drug tests; and, of those three, only one was tested for
drugs, which is an annual rate of only 10 percent.
Under 49 U.S.C. § 60122 and 49 CFR § 190.223, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed
$225,134 per violation per day the violation persists, up to a maximum of $2,251,334 for a
related series of violations. For violation occurring on or after January 11, 2021 and before May
3, 2021, the maximum penalty may not exceed $222,504 per violation per day the violation
persists, up to a maximum of $2,225,034 for a related series of violations. For violation
occurring on or after July 31, 2019 and before January 11, 2021, the maximum penalty may not
exceed $218,647 per violation per day the violation persists, up to a maximum of $2,186,465 for
a related series of violations. For violation occurring on or after November 27, 2018 and before
July 31, 2019, the maximum penalty may not exceed $213,268 per violation per day, with a
maximum penalty not to exceed $2,132,679. For violation occurring on or after November 2,
2015 and before November 27, 2018, the maximum penalty may not exceed $209,002 per
3



violation per day, with a maximum penalty not to exceed $2,090,022.
We have reviewed the circumstances and supporting documents involved in this case, and have
decided not to conduct additional enforcement action or penalty assessment proceedings at this
time. We advise you to correct the items identified in this letter. Failure to do so will result in
NNGOC being subject to additional enforcement action.
No reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, in your correspondence please refer to
CPF 5-2021-032-WL. 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).
Sincerely,
Dustin Hubbard
Director, Western Region, Office of Pipeline Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry
4
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