{"operation":"document","citation":"PHMSA Guidance, Pipeline Safety: Potential for Damage to Pipeline Facilities Caused by Flooding, River Scour, and River Channel Migration","title":"Pipeline Safety: Potential for Damage to Pipeline Facilities Caused by Flooding, River Scour, and River Channel Migration","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":null,"effective_on":null,"summary":"Pipeline Safety: Potential for Damage to Pipeline Facilities Caused by Flooding, River Scour, and River Channel Migration Document 2019-07132.pdf (226.19 KB) PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to all owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to communicate the potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by severe flooding. This advisory includes actions that operators should consider taki","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-pipeline-safety-potential-damage-pipeline-facilities-caused-by-flooding-river-scour-river-channel-migration-f0602f46.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-pipeline-safety-potential-damage-pipeline-facilities-caused-by-flooding-river-scour-river-channel-migration-f0602f46.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-pipeline-safety-potential-damage-pipeline-facilities-caused-by-flooding-river-scour-river-channel-migration-f0602f46","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulatory-compliance/phmsa-guidance/pipeline-safety-potential-damage-pipeline-facilities-caused-by-flooding-river-scour-river-channel-migration","body":"Pipeline Safety: Potential for Damage to Pipeline Facilities Caused by Flooding, River Scour, and River Channel Migration\n\nDocument\n\n 2019-07132.pdf (226.19 KB)\n\n        PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to all owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to communicate the potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by severe flooding. This advisory includes actions that operators should consider taking to ensure the integrity of pipelines in case of flooding.\n\n          Effective Date: Thursday, April 11, 2019\n\n<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nFederal Register / Vol. 84, No. 70 / Thursday, April 11, 2019 / Notices\n14715\namozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES\nonce each calendar day. FRA assigned\nthe petition Docket Number FRA–2019–\n0011.\nSpecifically, UPRR seeks the ability to\nforgo daily inspections on Distributed\nPower (DPU) locomotives that are en\nroute. Daily inspections on DPU\nlocomotives would still be performed\nbefore departing the originating terminal\nand before the locomotive’s next usage\nafter arrival at the train destination.\nUPRR states that many trains operating\nalong the UPRR network typically arrive\nat their destination within 48 to 72\nhours; with the longest routes operating\nin an 84- to 96-hour time range. Daily\ninspections of DPU locomotives\nperformed en route often take place on\nthe main line and in close proximity to\nother main line live tracks. Train delay\ncreated by conducting these inspections\ncan at times result in blocked crossings.\nThese situations can pose an\nunnecessary safety risk to both the\ngeneral public and crew members as\nwell.\nA copy of the petition, as well as any\nwritten communications concerning the\npetition, is available for review online at\nwww.regulations.gov and in person at\nthe U.S. Department of Transportation’s\n(DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200\nNew Jersey Avenue SE, W12–140,\nWashington, DC 20590. The Docket\nOperations Facility is open from 9 a.m.\nto 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,\nexcept Federal Holidays.\nInterested parties are invited to\nparticipate in these proceedings by\nsubmitting written views, data, or\ncomments. FRA does not anticipate\nscheduling a public hearing in\nconnection with these proceedings since\nthe facts do not appear to warrant a\nhearing. If any interested parties desire\nan opportunity for oral comment and a\npublic hearing, they should notify FRA,\nin writing, before the end of the\ncomment period and specify the basis\nfor their request.\nAll communications concerning these\nproceedings should identify the\nappropriate docket number and may be\nsubmitted by any of the following\nmethods:\n• Website: http://\nwww.regulations.gov. Follow the online\ninstructions for submitting comments.\n• Fax: 202–493–2251.\n• Mail: Docket Operations Facility,\nU.S. Department of Transportation, 1200\nNew Jersey Avenue SE, W12–140,\nWashington, DC 20590.\n• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey\nAvenue SE, Room W12–140,\nWashington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.\nand 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,\nexcept Federal Holidays.\nCommunications received by May 28,\n2019 will be considered by FRA before\nfinal action is taken. Comments received\nafter that date will be considered if\npracticable.\nAnyone can search the electronic\nform of any written communications\nand comments received into any of our\ndockets by the name of the individual\nsubmitting the comment (or signing the\ndocument, if submitted on behalf of an\nassociation, business, labor union, etc.).\nUnder 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits\ncomments from the public to better\ninform its processes. DOT posts these\ncomments, without edit, including any\npersonal information the commenter\nprovides, to www.regulations.gov, as\ndescribed in the system of records\nnotice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can\nbe reviewed at https://www.transpo\nrtation.gov/privacy. See also https://\nwww.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for\nthe privacy notice of regulations.gov.\nIssued in Washington, DC.\nJohn Karl Alexy,\nDeputy Associate Administrator Office of\nRailroad Safety.\n[FR Doc. 2019–07137 Filed 4–10–19; 8:45 am]\nBILLING CODE 4910–06–P\nDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials\nSafety Administration\n[Docket No. PHMSA–2019–0047]\nPipeline Safety: Potential for Damage\nto Pipeline Facilities Caused by\nFlooding, River Scour, and River\nChannel Migration\nAGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety Administration\n(PHMSA); DOT.\nACTION: Notice; issuance of advisory\nbulletin.\nSUMMARY: PHMSA is issuing this\nadvisory bulletin to remind all owners\nand operators of gas and hazardous\nliquid pipelines of the potential for\ndamage to pipeline facilities caused by\nsevere flooding and actions that\noperators should consider taking to\nensure the integrity of pipelines in the\nevent of flooding, river scour, and river\nchannel migration.\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:\nOperators of pipelines subject to\nregulation by PHMSA should contact\nthe appropriate PHMSA Region Office.\nThe PHMSA Region Offices and their\ncontact information are as follows:\n• Eastern Region: 609–771–7800\nConnecticut, Delaware, District of\nColumbia, Maine, Maryland,\nMassachusetts, New Hampshire,\nNew Jersey, New York, Ohio,\nPennsylvania, Rhode Island,\nVermont, Virginia, and West\nVirginia\n• Southern Region: 404–832–1147\nAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,\nMississippi, North Carolina, Puerto\nRico, South Carolina, and\nTennessee\n• Central Region: 816–329–3800\nIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,\nMichigan, Minnesota, Missouri,\nNebraska, North Dakota, South\nDakota, and Wisconsin\n• Southwest Region: 713–272–2859\nArkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico,\nOklahoma, and Texas\n• Western Region: 720–963–3160\nAlaska, Arizona, California, Colorado,\nHawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada,\nOregon, Utah, Washington, and\nWyoming\nIntrastate pipeline operators should\ncontact the appropriate state pipeline\nsafety authority. A list of state pipeline\nsafety authorities is available at\nwww.napsr.org.\nSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:\nI. Background\nSevere flooding, river scour, and river\nchannel migration are the types of\nunusual operating conditions that can\nadversely affect the safe operation of a\npipeline and require corrective action\nunder the Federal pipeline safety\nregulations.\nSection 192.613(a) of the pipeline\nsafety regulations (49 CFR parts 190–\n199) states that ‘‘[e]ach operator shall\nhave a procedure for continuing\nsurveillance of its facilities to determine\nand take appropriate action concerning\nchanges in class location, failures,\nleakage history, corrosion, substantial\nchanges in cathodic protection\nrequirements, and other unusual\noperating and maintenance conditions.’’\nSection 192.613(b) further states that\n‘‘[i]f a segment of pipeline is determined\nto be in unsatisfactory condition but no\nimmediate hazard exists, the operator\nshall initiate a program to recondition or\nphase out the segment involved, or, if\nthe segment cannot be reconditioned or\nphased out, reduce the maximum\nallowable operating pressure in\naccordance with § 192.619(a) and (b).’’\nLikewise, § 195.401(b)(1) states that\n‘‘[w]henever an operator discovers any\ncondition that could adversely affect the\nsafe operation of its pipeline system, it\nmust correct the condition within a\nreasonable time. However, if the\ncondition is of such a nature that it\npresents an immediate hazard to\npersons or property, the operator may\nVerDate Sep<11>2014 16:50 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\\FR\\FM\\11APN1.SGM 11APN1\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\namozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES\n14716 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 70 / Thursday, April 11, 2019 / Notices\nnot operate the affected part of the\nsystem until it has corrected the unsafe\ncondition.’’ Section 195.401(b)(2)\nfurther states that ‘‘[w]hen an operator\ndiscovers a condition on a pipeline\ncovered under [the integrity\nmanagement requirements in] § 195.452,\nthe operator must correct the condition\nas prescribed in § 195.452(h).’’\nOperators should be aware that severe\nflooding, river scour, and river channel\nmigration may create unusual operating\nconditions that can adversely affect the\nsafe operation of a pipeline, and may\nrequire corrective action under\n§§ 192.613(a) and (b) and 195.401(b).\nIn addition, § 194.107(a) requires\noperators of onshore oil pipelines to\ncreate response plans that ‘‘include\nprocedures and a list of resources for\nresponding, to the maximum extent\npracticable, to a worst-case discharge\nand to a substantial threat of such a\ndischarge.’’ Section 194.115 further\nstates that ‘‘[e]ach operator shall\nidentify, and ensure, by contract or\nother approved means, the resources\nnecessary to remove, to the maximum\nextent practicable, a worst-case\ndischarge and to mitigate or prevent a\nsubstantial threat of a worst-case\ndischarge.’’\nFurthermore, §§ 192.935, 194.107, and\n195.452(i) require an operator to take\nadditional preventative and mitigative\nmeasures to prevent a pipeline failure\nand to mitigate the consequences of a\npipeline failure. An operator must base\nthe additional measures on the threats\nthe operator has identified for each\npipeline segment. If an operator\ndetermines outside force damage (e.g.,\nearth movement, floods) is a threat to\nthe pipeline, the operator must take\nsteps to minimize the probability of\ndamage and the consequences of a\nrelease under these regulations.\nIn December of 2017, the American\nPetroleum Institute (API) issued the\nsecond edition of Recommended\nPractice (RP) 1133, ‘‘Managing\nHydrotechnical Hazards for Pipelines\nLocated Onshore or Within Coastal\nAreas.’’ This RP applies to new and\nexisting hydrocarbon pipelines that\ntransport gas and hazardous liquids. It\nis intended to apply to onshore\nwaterways and coastal zones that may\nbe susceptible to hydro technical\nhazards. The RP provides guidelines\nand recommendations for identifying,\nassessing and managing risks to pipeline\nintegrity associated with these hazards\nthrough the life-cycle of a pipeline.\nPHMSA has released several advisory\nbulletins on this subject, with the\nearliest issued July 29, 1993, (ADB–93–\n03), and the most recent on January 19,\n2016, (ADB–16–01; 81 FR 2944). These\nadvisory bulletins are consistent with\nAPI RP 1133. Each of these advisory\nbulletins followed an event that\ninvolved severe flooding that affected\npipelines in the areas of rising or fast\nmoving waters. As shown in these\nevents, river bottom scour, channel\nmigration, and some cases soil\nsubsidence, may occur due to seasonal\nflooding, increased stream velocities,\nand man-made and natural river bank\nrestrictions. River scour and channel\nmigration may damage a pipeline as a\nresult of additional stresses imposed on\nthe pipe by undermining underlying\nsupport soils, exposing the pipeline to\nlateral water forces, and impact from\nwaterborne debris. Soil subsidence,\nparticularly in variable, steep, and\nrugged terrain, can pose a threat to the\nintegrity of a pipeline if those threats are\nnot mitigated. Lateral water forces may\ncause excessive bending loads that lead\nto pipeline failures, and possible impact\nforces from debris in the river or\nharmonic vibrations from water rapidly\npassing over pipelines can also increase\nthe potential for pipeline failures.\nAdditionally, the safety of valves,\nregulators, relief sets, pressure sensors,\nand other facilities normally above\nground or above water can be\njeopardized when covered by water. Not\nonly can these facilities become\ninoperable when submerged, but they\nare also at a greater risk of damage by\noutside forces, floating debris, river\ncurrents, and craft operating on the\nwater. Boaters involved in rescue\noperations, emergency support\nfunctions, sightseeing, and other\nactivities are generally not aware of the\nseriousness of an incident that could\nresult from their craft damaging a\npipeline facility that is unseen beneath\nthe surface of the water. Depending on\nthe size of the craft and the pipeline\nfacility struck, significant pipeline\ndamage may result.\nAlthough accidents at river crossings\naccount for less than one percent of the\ntotal number of pipeline accidents, the\nconsequences of a release in water can\nbe much more severe because of the\nthreats to drinking water supplies and\nthe environment. Unlike hazardous\nliquid releases on land where it can be\neasier to respond to and contain spills,\nswift-moving river currents will carry\nhazardous liquids further downstream,\npotentially impacting much larger\ngeographical areas and more\ncommunities. Product releases in rivers\ncan create difficult, costly, and lengthy\nspill response and remediation\nscenarios and activities for operators,\ncommunities, and local, state, and\nfederal responders.\nII. Advisory Bulletin (ADB–2019–01)\nTo: Owners and Operators of Gas and\nHazardous Liquid Pipeline Systems.\nSubject: Potential for Damage to\nPipeline Facilities Caused by Severe\nFlooding.\nAdvisory: Severe flooding can\nadversely affect the safe operation of a\npipeline. Operators should direct their\nresources in a manner that will enable\nthem to determine and mitigate the\npotential effects of flooding on their\npipeline systems in accordance with\napplicable regulations. Operators are\nsuggested to take the following actions\nto prevent and mitigate damage to\npipeline facilities and ensure public and\nenvironmental safety in areas affected\nby flooding:\n1. Utilize experts in river flow, such\nas hydrologists or fluvial\ngeomorphologists, to evaluate a river’s\npotential for scour or channel migration\nat each pipeline river crossing.\n2. Evaluate each pipeline crossing a\nriver to determine the pipeline’s\ninstallation method and determine if\nthat method (and the pipeline’s current\ncondition) is sufficient to withstand the\nrisks posed by anticipated flood\nconditions, river scour, or river channel\nmigration. In areas prone to these\nconditions and risks, consider installing\npipelines using horizontal directional\ndrilling to help place pipelines below\nelevations of maximum scour and\noutside the limits of lateral channel\nmigration.\n3. Determine the maximum flow or\nflooding conditions at rivers where\npipeline integrity is at risk in the event\nof flooding (e.g., where scour can occur)\nand have contingency plans to shut\ndown and isolate those pipelines when\nthose conditions occur.\n4. Ensure that pipeline controllers are\naware of which pipeline sections are\nexperiencing flooding or high flow\nconditions, and are familiar with the\ncontingency plans to safely and quickly\nshut down and isolate the affected\nsections.\n5. Evaluate the accessibility of\npipeline facilities and components that\nmay be in jeopardy, such as valve\nsettings, which are needed to isolate\nwater crossings or other sections of\npipelines.\n6. Extend regulator vents and relief\nstacks above the level of anticipated\nflooding as appropriate.\n7. Coordinate with emergency and\nspill responders on pipeline locations,\ncrossing conditions, and the\ncommodities transported. Provide maps\nand other relevant information to such\nresponders so they can develop\nappropriate response strategies.\nVerDate Sep<11>2014 16:50 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\\FR\\FM\\11APN1.SGM 11APN1\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n8. Coordinate with other pipeline\noperators in flood areas and establish\nemergency response centers to act as a\nliaison for pipeline problems and\nsolutions.\n9. Deploy personnel so that they will\nbe in position to shut down, isolate,\ncontain, or perform any other\nemergency action on an affected\npipeline.\n10. Determine if facilities that are\nnormally above ground (e.g., valves,\nregulators, relief sets, etc.) have become\nsubmerged and are in danger of being\nstruck by vessels or debris and, if\npossible, mark such facilities with U.S.\nCoast Guard approval and an\nappropriate buoy.\n11. Perform frequent patrols,\nincluding appropriate overflights, to\nevaluate right-of-way conditions at\nwater crossings during flooding and\nafter waters subside. Report any\nflooding, either localized or systemic, to\nintegrity staff to determine if pipeline\ncrossings may have been damaged or\nwould be in imminent jeopardy from\nfuture flooding.\n12. Have open communications with\nlocal and state officials to address their\nconcerns regarding observed pipeline\nexposures, localized flooding, ice dams,\ndebris dams, and extensive bank erosion\nthat may affect the integrity of pipeline\ncrossings.\n13. Following flooding, and when safe\nriver access is first available, determine\nif flooding has exposed or undermined\npipelines because of new river channel\nprofiles. This is best done by a depth of\ncover survey.\n14. Where appropriate, surveys of\nunderwater pipe should include the use\nof visual inspection by divers or\ninstrumented detection. Pipelines in\nrecently flooded lands adjacent to rivers\nshould also be evaluated to determine\nthe remaining depth of cover. You\nshould share information gathered by\nthese surveys with affected landowners.\nAgricultural agencies may help to\ninform farmers of potential hazards from\nreduced cover over pipelines.\n15. Ensure that line markers are still\nin place or are replaced in a timely\nmanner. Notify contractors, highway\ndepartments, and others involved in\npost-flood restoration activities of the\npresence of pipelines and the risks\nposed by reduced cover.\nIf a pipeline has suffered damage or\nis shut-in as a precautionary measure\ndue to flooding, the operator should\nadvise the appropriate PHMSA regional\noffice or state pipeline safety authority\nbefore returning the line to service,\nincreasing its operating pressure, or\notherwise changing its operating status.\nFurthermore, reporting a safety-related\ncondition as prescribed in §§ 191.23 and\n195.55 may also be required.\nIssued in Washington, DC, on April 5,\n2019, under authority delegated in 49 CFR\n1.97.\nAlan K. Mayberry,\nAssociate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.\n[FR Doc. 2019–07132 Filed 4–10–19; 8:45 am]\nBILLING CODE 4910–60–P\nDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials\nSafety Administration\n[Docket No. PHMSA–2014–0092]\nPipeline Safety: Request for Revision\nof a Previously Approved Information\nCollection: National Pipeline Mapping\nSystem Program\nAGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety Administration\n(PHMSA), DOT.\nACTION: Notice and request for\ncomments.\namozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES\nFederal Register / Vol. 84, No. 70 / Thursday, April 11, 2019 / Notices\n14717\nSUMMARY: In compliance with the\nPaperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44\nU.S.C. 3501 et seq.), PHMSA announces\nthat the information collection request\ndetailed below will be forwarded to the\nOffice of Management and Budget\n(OMB) for review. On June 22, 2016,\nPHMSA published a notice and\nrequested comments on proposed\nrevisions to the National Pipeline\nMapping System (NPMS) Program.’’\nDuring the comment period, PHMSA\nreceived several comments on ways to\nimprove this data collection and to\nconsider a phased timeline to collect\ndata. PHMSA is publishing this notice\nto address the comments received, to\nnotify the public of proposed revisions\nto this information collection, and to\nannounce that PHMSA is requesting a 3-\nyear approval of this information\ncollection from OMB.\nDATES: Written comments on this\ninformation collection should be\nsubmitted by May 13, 2019.\nADDRESSES: Comments may be\nsubmitted in the following ways:\nE-Gov website: http://\nwww.regulations.gov. This site allows\nthe public to enter comments on any\nFederal Register notice issued by any\nagency.\nFax: 1–202–493–2251.\nMail: Docket Management Facility;\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n(DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,\nWest Building, Room W12–140,\nWashington, DC 20590–0001.\nHand Delivery: Room W12–140 on the\nground level of DOT, West Building,\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,\nWashington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. and\n5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,\nexcept Federal holidays.\nInstructions: Identify the docket\nnumber PHMSA–2014–0092 at the\nbeginning of your comments. Note that\nall comments received will be posted\nwithout change to www.regulations.gov,\nincluding any personal information\nprovided. You should know that anyone\nis able to search the electronic form of\nall comments received into any of\nPHMSA’s dockets by the name of the\nindividual submitting the comment (or\nsigning the comment, if submitted on\nbehalf of an association, business, labor\nunion, etc.). Therefore, you may want to\nreview DOT’s complete Privacy Act\nStatement in the Federal Register\npublished on April 11, 2000 (65 FR\n19476) or visit http://\nwww.regulations.gov before submitting\nany such comments.\nDocket: For access to the docket or to\nread background documents or\ncomments, go to www.regulations.gov at\nany time or to Room W12–140 on the\nground level of DOT, West Building,\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,\nWashington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. and\n5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,\nexcept Federal holidays. If you wish to\nreceive confirmation of receipt of your\nwritten comments, please include a self-\naddressed, stamped postcard with the\nfollowing statement: ‘‘Comments on\nPHMSA–2014–0092.’’ The Docket Clerk\nwill date stamp the postcard prior to\nreturning it to you via the U.S. mail.\nPlease note that due to possible delays\nin the delivery of U.S. mail to federal\noffices in Washington, DC, we\nrecommend that persons consider an\nalternative method (internet, fax, or\nprofessional delivery service) of\nsubmitting comments to the docket and\nensuring their timely receipt at DOT.\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:\nAmy Nelson, Geospatial Information\nSystems Manager, Outreach and\nEngagement Division, U.S. Department\nof Transportation, 1200 New Jersey\nAvenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, or\nby phone at 202–493–0591.\nSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:\nI. Background\nII. Attribute Changes\nIII. Retained Attributes\nA. Pipe Diameter\nB. Wall Thickness\nC. Commodity Detail\nD. Pipe Material\nE. Pipe Grade\nF. Pipe Join Method\nG. Seam Type\nH. Decade of Installation\nI. Coated (yes/no)\nJ. Onshore/Offshore\nK. In-line Inspection (yes/no)\nVerDate Sep<11>2014 16:50 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\\FR\\FM\\11APN1.SGM 11APN1","truncated":false,"body_characters":21899}