# McAfee & Taft — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** PI-12-0002
- **title:** McAfee & Taft — Pipeline Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2012-10-17
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** PI-12-0002 response to McAfee & Taft.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-12-0002.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-12-0002.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-12-0002
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2024-04/McAfee-and-Taft-PI-12-0002-10-18-2012-Part195.pdf
**body:**

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U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590
OCT 1 7 2012
Mr. Chris A. Paul, Esq.
Attorney at Law
McAfee & Taft
1717 S. Boulder, Suite 900
Tulsa, OK 74119
Dear Mr. Paul:
In a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) dated
December 8, 2011, you requested an interpretation concerning the requirements in 49 CFR
Part 195 for pressure testing a segment of pipeline that has been replaced prior to putting that
segment in service. Specifically, you asked whether post-installation pressure testing was
required for a pipe replacement project involving multiple joints of pre-tested pipe. You also
asked whether PHMSA could provide any relevant enforcement guidance documents on this
lSSUC.
Pressure testing a pipeline segment before placing it in service is a core requirement of the
Federal pipeline safety regulations. Part 195. Subpart E governs the pressure testing of pipeline
used in hazardous liquid service. 49 CFR 195.302(a) states:
(a) except as otherwise provided in this section and in § 195.305(b), no operator
may operate a pipeline unless it has been pressure tested under this subpart
\Vithout leakage. In addition, no operator may return to service a segment of
pipeline that has been replaced, relocated. or othenvisc changed until it has been
pressure tested under this subpart without leakage.
The term "pipeline" is defined in§ 195.2 as:
"Pipeline or pipeline system means all parts of a pipeline facility through which a
hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide moves in transportation. including. but not
limited to. line pipe, valves and other appurtenances connected to line pipe.
pumping units, fabricated assemblies associated with pumping units, metering and
delivery stations and fabricated assemblies therein, and breakout tanks.''
The term "pipe" is further defined in§ 195.2 as:
"Pipe or line pipe means a tube, usually cylindrical, through which a hazardous
liquid or carbon dioxide flows from one point to another.''
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety provides written claritications of the Regulations (49 CFR
Parts 190-199) in the form of interpretation letters. These letters reflect the agency's current application of the regulations to the specific facts
presented by the person requesting the claritication. Interpretations do not create legally-enforceable rights or obligations and are provided to
help the public understand how to comply with the regulations.

<<<PAGE 2>>>

2
Under these definitions, the term pipe means that section of pipe through which a hazardous
liquiq will flow from point-to-point and therefore must be pressure tested from point-to-point.
No distinction is made as to the length of pipe or the number ofweldedjoints within the replaced
pipe segment. Similarly, under§ 195.308, a pipe tie-in segment being il).stalled must be pressure
tested either with or without the tie-in welds (which themselves require non-destructive testing).
Note that the welds connecting several pipe lengths in a section to be tied-in are not tie-in welds.
In general, while PHMSA has not required post-installation pressure testing when a single joint
of pre-tested pipe is replaced, operators are subject to the pressure testing requirement anytime
more than one pipe joint is being replaced.
Regarding your request for enforcement guidance documents, all available PHMSA enforcement
guidance materials are posted on the PHMSA website for public viewing at:
http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/foia/e-reading-room. Once you visit the website, please click on-
'~III. Staff Manuals and Instructions" to view the enforcement guidance materials. While
PHMSA does not have an enforcement guidance document for 49 CFR Part 195, Subpart E-
Pressure Testing, we have enclosed an enforcement guidance document dealing with the pressure
testing requirement for natural gas pipeline replacement projects under Part 192. While this
enforcement guidance is not applicable to hazardous liquid pipelines, it is illustrative ofthe
manner in which PHMSA applies the pressure testing requirement to pipe replacement projects.
In relevant part, it states that "the entire replaced segment must be tested ... except the tie-in
joints" (and notes that the several pipe lengths are not tie-in joints).
Finally, if you have a scenario where you can demonstrate that conducting a post-installation
pressure test on a replacement segment is impracticable, you may contact the PHMSA regional
office covering the area and submit a proposed alternative in writing for its consideration such as
a proposal to perform an appropriate strength test on the segment prior to installation (which
PHMSA may elect to witness).
I hope that this information is helpful to you. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me
at 202-366-4046.
Sincerely,
~--// ohii A. Gale
Director, Office of Standards
and Rulemaking
Enclosure
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety provides written clarifications of the Regulations
( 49 CFR Parts 190-199) in the form of interpretation letters. These letters reflect the agency's current application of the regulations to the
specific facts presented by the person requesting the clarification. Interpretations do not create legally-enforceable rights or obligations and
are provided to help the public understand how to comply with the regulations.

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Enforcement Guidance
O&M Part 192
Revision Date 09-28-20 I I
Code Section § 192.719
Section Title Transmission Lines - Testing of Repairs
Existing Code Language (a) Testing of replacement pipe. If a segment of transmission li ne is repaired
by cutting out the damaged portion of the pipe as a cylinder, the replacement
pipe must be tested to the pressure required for a new line installed in the same
locati on. This test may be made on the pipe be fore it is installed.
(b) Testing of repairs made by welding. Each repair made by welding in
accordance with ~~ 191
. 71.3. 191. 7_1} . and !92.7_1] must be exam ined in
accordance 'vvith § 192.241.
Origin of
Code
Ori ginal Code Document. 35 FR 13248. 08-1 9-1 970
Last
Amendment
Arndt. 192-54. 5 I FR 41635. I I- I 8-1986.
Interpretation Interpretation: PJ-94-024 Date: 06-07-J 994
Summaries
Question #2: "Our second question relates to the hydrostatic testing of
replacement pipe und e r ~ I 92. 719(a). In a repai r situation where several joints
of pipe are welded together. does the welded piece have to be hydrostati cally
tested as a unit? Each joint is pre-tested and the welds arc I 00% non-
destructi vely tested."
Answer #2: Section I 92. 719(a) is intended fo r testi ng of repairs of
transmission pipelines. where the pipe is required to be tested as a new
line. The test requirements in Subpart .I are applicable to a new segment of
pipeline. or the return to service of a segment or pipeline that has been
relocated or replaced.
In accordance with § l92.503(a) in Subpart J. the entire replaced segment must
be tested in accordance with Subpart .J and § 192.6 19. except the ti e-in joints
that are excepted under § 192.503(d). It should be noted that the joints
connecting the several pipe lengths are not tie-i n joints. However. if. in
The Pipclmc and llaznrdtlll$ Mmcrials Safcl~ i\dminislralion. Ollicc or 1'1pduu.: Sal<:!~ prm ide' \\flllcn clarilicalulll' oriiH: Rcg.ulallons
(49 CFR Pan> 190-199) in 1 hc limn or illlcrprctalion lcucr~ . rhc'c lcllcrs rclkcl I he agcnc~ 's curn:nl applicalinnor I he n.:gulalions It> I he
spccilic ltlCIS presented hy the persou requesti ng lhc clarilicminn lnlcrprclillinns do nol create lcgall y-cnlilrccahlc righls or obligations and
arc provided 1 n help lhc puol1c umkrSiand hn" In ~:n mpl ~ "llh 1hc r\:gulalunlS

<<<PAGE 4>>>

accordance with§ 192.505(e). it is not practical to conduct a post installation
test, a pre-installation strength test must be conducted on each pipe length or
the segmen" t by maintaining the pressure at or above the test pressure for at
least 4 hours.
Interpretation: PI-ZZ-037 Date: 04-15-1988
Your letter asks whether mechanical couplers fall under ~§ 192.7 11 - 192.719
of the Federal Gas Pipeline safety Standards ( 49 CFR Part 192). and whether
the Department of Transportati on (DOT) must approve your company"s
product before it may be used in gas pipelines.
Sections 192.7 11 - 192.7 19 apply to the fi eld repair of transm ission
lines. Any mechanical coupler of acceptable design and strength may be used
when the use of a weld less joining device is appropriate under §§ 192.7 1 1-
192.7 19. The acceptabil ity of couplcrs is governed by various secti ons in
subparts B. D and r of Part 192.
Prior DOT approval is not required for the use of any type of gas pipeline
. faci li ty. including mechanical couplers. Operators are free to select and use
materi als that they determine. either on their own or with the aid of
manufacturers· representations. are acceptable under DOT standards. The
correctness of these determinations is subject to review by DOT and State
agency enforcement personnel during periodic inspecti on visits.
Advisory
Bulletin/ Alert
Notice
Summaries
Other
Reference
Material
& Source
GPTC Guide Material is avai lable.
The Pipclin~ and llazardous Malcrials Satcly Adminislralion. Otlice of l'irclin..: Sate!) provides wrin..:n clariticarions oflhe Regula! ions
(49 CFR Parts 1 90- 1 99) inlhc form of inlcrprclalion lcncrs. These lcllcrs rdkcl !he a g~ n cy 's currcnl applicalion ur !he regula! ions 10 !he
specitic racls presen!cd by !he person requesling !he dariticmion. lr H~rprclilllliii S do no! cr..:ale l..:gall v·..:n l(lrccahk riglus or ohligalions and
arc rrovidcd 10 help !he public underswnd IHl\\ Ill comp l ~ wilh !he regui<Hillll;.

<<<PAGE 5>>>

Guidance Information I. The operator must have written procedures for the testing of repairs.
2. Appropriate UT examination of the repair area should be performed to
insure the integrity of the planned repair.
3. A pipe segment that is replaced must be pressure tested after installation
unless it is not practicaL in which case each length of pipe or each segment
must be pressure tested.
4. Special attention should be applied to the potential for stresses associated
with out-of-roundness. high-low. al ignment. and ch:;mges in pipe wall or
grade.
5. Records documenting pretest of pipe for emergency use must include an
audit trail to each specific joint of pipe instal led in the pipeline.
Examples of a Probable Violation I. The lack of procedures is a violation of~ 192.605.
2. The lack of records is a violation of § 192.603.
3. The operator did not fo llow written procedures for testing of repairs.
4. Test records for installed pipe cannot be traced back to the original test
documentation.
5. NOT records are not available concerning inspection of welds made on
repair fitti ngs and devices.
Examples of Evidence 1. Records regarding the repairs made to the pipeline.
2. Statements from supervisory personnel regard ing any missing or
incomplete records.
3. Metall urgical reports.
4. Incident reports.
5. The lack of procedures or records.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 1\dlllinistration. Ol1ke of Pi pel in~ Safety provides wrill~n clarifications of the Rcgulatic111s
(49 CFR Parts 190- 1 99) in the form of interpretation letters. These lcucrs reflect the agency's current ~pplication of the regu lations to the
specific facts presented oy the person req uesting the cl arification Interpretations do not create lcgall~-cnli>rceahlc rights or ohligations and
arc pnwided to hdp the public understand ho11 to cnmph 11 ith the regulations.

<<<PAGE 6>>>

McAFEE& TAFT
A PRCJ!ESSIONAL CCJI<PORr\TIO~
1717 S. BOULDER • SUITE 900
TULSA, OK 74119
1918) 587-0000 • FAX (918) 599-9317
www.mcafeetaft.com
CHRIS A. PAUL
ATTORNEY AT LAW
WRITER DIRECT
(918) 57 4-303 7
FAX(918)574-3137
Chris.Paul@mcafeetaft.com
December 8, 2011
DEC 16 2011
Office of Pipeline Safety (DPS-1 0)
Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
East Building, Second Floor (PH)
Washington, DC 20590
RE: Interpretation/Clarification
Dear Sir or Madam:
Regarding petroleum pipelines in various Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA) regions, I understand that there are varipus
interpretations as to the maximum number of joints or length of pre-pressure
tested pipe that can be used for a pipeline replacement project before post- ..
installation pressure testing is required for the new pipe (that was already pre~
tested).
The normal process is that pre-tested replacement pipe is kept at pipeline
facilities to be available in the event replacement of pipe is nece$sary. This pre-
tested replacement pipe is being inserted into an existing pipeline that has
previously been pressure tested per 49 CFR §195, Subpart E- Pressure Testing.
All new welds associated with the pipe replacement are1 00% Non-Destructive
Tested per §195.228 Welds and Welding Inspection: Standards of Acceptability.
§195.302 (a) General Requirements states: "Except as otherwise provided in this
section and in §195.305(b), no operator may operate a pipeline unless it has
been pressure tested under this subpart without leakage. In addition, no
operator may return to service a segment of pipeline that has been replaced,
relocated, or otherwise changed until it has been pressure tested under this
subpart without leakage."
I understand that various ·Office of Pipeline Regional.staff have indicated that this
issue is addressed in a PHMSA standard "Enforcement Guidance~ document.
However, a copy of this has not (to my knowledge) been made available to
pipeline operators. In addition it appears that there .are apparently various
9250872_1
OKLAHOMA CITY TULSA

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December 8, 2011
Page 2
regional interpretations of how many joints or feet of pre-tested pipe can be
replaced before post-pressure testing is required of the entire segment. For
example:
• Central Region - between 3 and 5 joints can be replaced without
post-pressure testing (this obviously creates an ambiguity).
• Western Region -only 1 joint can be replaced without post-
pressure testing.
• Southwest Region - 3 joints can be replaced without post-pressure
testing.
I am requesting the following:
1. Clarification as to requirements related to the foregoing.
2. If the nature of the requirements as set forth generally above are being
used, what is the reasoning and where in the regulations is the
requirement for post-pressure testing the entire new section if tested pipe
(regardless of length) is being inserted into the segment?
3. If there is a requirement for maximum number of joints or feet of tested
pipe installed, what is allowed in joints or total feet?
4. If there is an Enforcement Guidance document or manual, or other
guidance or interpretations, please provide same. If necessary, please
consider this fourth request a request under the Freedom of Information
Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552.
If you or your staff has questions, feel free to contact me at (918)-57 4-3037.
Very truly yours,
Chris A. Paul
CAP:sd
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