{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-19-0005","title":"New Terrain Technologies — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2019-08-01","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-19-0005 response to New Terrain Technologies concerning 192.705, 195.412.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-19-0005.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-19-0005.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-19-0005","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/pipeline/interpretations/71916/new-terrain-technologies-pi-19-0005-07-29-2019-parts-192705-and-192412.pdf","body":"<<>>\n\n0\nU.S. Department\nofTransportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials\nS afety Administration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE\nWashington DC 20590\n' JUL' 2 9 2 0 1 9\nMr. David Van der Vieren\nFounder, New Terrain Technologies\n2119 S Yukon Street\nLakewood, CO 80227\nDear Mr. Van der Vieren:\nIn a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), you\nrequested an interpretation of 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195. Specifically, you requested an\ninterpretation on the requirements of§§ 192.705 and 195.412(a) as related to pipeline\nright-of-way inspection.\nYou asked whether satellite imagery qualifies as suitable methods for traversing the right-of-way\nto observe surface conditions on and adjacent to the right-of-way. You stated that satellite\npatrols utilize various sensors/telemetry units to analyze the conditions on and adjacent to the\nright-of-way up to once a day to monitor for mechanical threats, land disturbance, soil\nwashouts/movement, vegetation health, and the presence of liquid hydrocarbons. You provided\na sample of the satellite imagery. You asked PHMSA if the regulations allow the use of satellite\nimagery technology for pipeline right-of-way inspection.\nBoth§§ 192.705 and 195.412 allow right-of-way inspection that include walking, driving, flying\nor other appropriate means.\nOther appropriate means may include satellite imagery if this method compares to the other\nspecified methods. However, the satellite imagery in your examples did not provide sufficient\nresolution to provide the necessary details of the surface conditions on or adjacent to each\npipeline right-of-way. Therefore, the satellite imagery as you submitted, cannot be used as an\nappropriate means. If we can be of further assistance, please contact Tewabe Asebe at\n202-366-5523.\nSincerely,\nDirector, Office of Standards\nand Rulemaking\nThe Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety provides written clarifications of the Regulations (49 CFR\nParts 190-199) in the fonn of interpretation letters. These letters reflect the agency's current application of the regulations to the specific facts\npresented by the person requesting the clarification. Interpretations do not create legally-enforceable rights or obligations and are provided to\nhelp the public understand how to comply with the regulations.\n\n<<>>\n\nDear Mr. John Gal;\nI am seeking clarification on the Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration regarding\nGas Transmission Line Patrol and Hazardous Liquid Line Patrols, found in 49 CFR 192.705 and 49 CFR\n195.412(a) respectively. Specifically, wether Satellite Imagery qualifies as suitable methods for\n“Traversing the right-of-way” to observe surface conditions on and adjacent to the right-of-way.\nDue to great improvements in the quality and accessibility of Satellite Imagery coupled with\ncomputer processing power, pipeline safety can be dramatically increased by the use of Satellite Patrols.\nSatellite Patrols utilize various sensors/telemetry units to analyze the conditions on and adjacent to the\nright-of-way up to once a day to monitor for mechanical threats, land disturbance, soil\nwashouts/movement, vegetation health, and the presence of liquid hydrocarbons (please see\nattachments for examples). Compared to traditional methods (i.e. fixed wing aircraft, helicopter,\ndriving, or walking), Satellite Patrols can drastically improve the safety to the public and the\nenvironment through a higher frequency of risk identification in class 1, 2, 3 and 4 locations while\neliminating the “human element” of relying on a pilot to identify all risks while traveling over 100 mph.\nAdditionally, Satellite Patrol methodology is in alignment with PHMSA’s previous funded R&D\ncollaboration with NASA and various Pipeline Operators in 2009 as part of the Right of Way Automated\nMonitoring (“RAM”) project.\nIn conclusion, I am requesting a formal interpretation regarding the use of Satellite Imagery to\nfulfill the PHMSA requirements for Pipeline (Gas & Liquid) Patrols.\nSincerely,\nDavid Van der Vieren\nFounder\nNew Terrain Technologies\nDavid.vandervieren@newterraintechnologies.com\n(720) 234-3958\n\n<<>>\n\nAttachments\nFigure 1. Identification of Vehicles and Mechanical Threats on or near a Right of Way\n\n<<>>\n\nFigure 2. Identification of a Liquid Hydrocarbon Spill with Geospatial Outline of the Affected Area.\n\n<<>>\n\nVegetation that is\nDead/Failing to thrive\nSigns of Land Disturbance\nWithin Right-of-Way\nFigure 3. Vegetation Analysis to Determine the presence of Potential Land Disturbance and Gas\nLeaks on or Adjacent to the Right of Way\n\n<<>>\n\nDifference in\nSoil Elevation\nFigure 4. Example of Satellite Elevation Analysis","truncated":false,"body_characters":4737}