{"operation":"document","citation":"PHMSA Guidance, Exercise of Enforcement Discretion Notice to Pipeline Operators: API Specification 5L","title":"Exercise of Enforcement Discretion Notice to Pipeline Operators: API Specification 5L","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2019-05-01","effective_on":"2019-05-01","summary":"Exercise of Enforcement Discretion Notice to Pipeline Operators: API Specification 5L Document stay-enforcement-api-specification-5l.pdf (89.35 KB) PHMSA does not intended to take enforcement action concerning the use of API Specification 5L (2012) if an operator complies with API Specification 5L (2018). Issued Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2019","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-exercise-enforcement-discretion-notice-pipeline-operators-api-9e491e6f.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-exercise-enforcement-discretion-notice-pipeline-operators-api-9e491e6f.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-exercise-enforcement-discretion-notice-pipeline-operators-api-9e491e6f","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/standards-rulemaking/pipeline/exercise-enforcement-discretion-notice-pipeline-operators-api","body":"Exercise of Enforcement Discretion Notice to Pipeline Operators: API Specification 5L\n\nDocument\n\n stay-enforcement-api-specification-5l.pdf (89.35 KB)\n\n        PHMSA does not intended to take enforcement action concerning the use of API Specification 5L (2012) if an operator complies with API Specification 5L (2018).\n\n          Issued Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2019\n\n<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nHAY O 1 2019\nNOTICE TO NATURAL GAS AND HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE OPERATORS\nSubject: Notice of Exercise of Enforcement Discretion with Respect to API\nSpecification SL, 45th edition\nFor the reasons explained in this notice, PHMSA does not intend to take any enforcement action\nrelating to the requirements in 49 C.F.R. §§ 192.7(b)(7), 192.55(e), 192.112(a)-(b), (d)-(e),\n192.113; Item I, Appendix B to Part 192; and 49 C.F.R. §§ 195.3(b)(13), 195.106(b), (e)\nconcerning the use o·f American Petroleum Institute (API) Specification 5L (Spec 5L),\n\"Specification for Line Pipe,\" 45th edition, December 2012, if an operator can demonstrate\ncompliance with the more stringent provisions of API Spec 5L, 46th edition, April 2018,\nincluding Errata 1 (May 2018).\nPHMSA currently incorporates by reference the 45th edition of API Spec 5L, however, API has\nissued a more recent edition of this standard. The new 46th edition includes more stringent pipe\nend-straightness tolerances and clarification on how to define and measure end-squareness. The\nnew edition also includes two new annexes that deal with weldedjointers and pipe used in strainbased\ndesign. The new annexes enhance pipeline safety under the circumstances to which they\nare applicable.\nPHMSA has reviewed the 46th edition and determined that it provides a higher level of safety\ncompared with the 45th edition that is currently incorporated by reference. While PHMSA\nconsiders incorporating the 46th edition of API Spec 5L by reference into the regulations,·\nPHMSA does not intend to take any enforcement action relating to the above-referenced\nregulatory requirements to use the 45th edition if an operator can demonstrate compliance with\nthe applicable provisions of the 46th edition.\nFollowing the effective date of the 46th edition (May 1, 2019), API will require pipeline\nmanufacturers with a license to use the API Monogram to manufacture and certify the line pipe\nto the 46th edition as part of their license with API. Absent this exercise of enforcement\ndiscretion, licensed pipe manufactures would have to either follow both editions of API Spec 5L\nor forgo the benefits of the 46th edition and the API Mono grain. The above circumstances justify\nan exercise of enforcement discretion with respect to the 45th edition of API Spec 5L provided\nthe 46th edition is used in its place.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n2\nThis notice will remain in effect until the effective date of any final action on a proposed\nrulemaking addressing the 46th edition of API. However, nothing in this letter prohibits PHMSA\nfrom rescinding this notice and enforcing the federal pipeline safety regulations if it determines\nthat a significant safety issue or other circumstance warrants doing so, including finding there is\nno longer a need for this exercise of enforcement discretion. Pipeline operators affected by this\nexercise of enforcement discretion remain responsible for the safe operation of their systems and\nnothing in this notice relieves operators from compliance with any other applicable provisions of\nthe federal pipeline safety regulations.\nISSUED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.\n�t��\nAssociate Administrator for Pipeline Safety","truncated":false,"body_characters":3676}