Memo: Internal — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1NO. 82-10 Date: October 12, 1982 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION BUREAU _________________________________________________________________ PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATORY INTERPRETATION _________________________________________________________________ SECTION: 192.167 SUBJECT: Compressor stations FACTS: New piping is proposed for use in connection with an extraction plant and two attended onshore compressor stations built in 1968 and 1969. The proposed piping has valves that could be used to isolate the compressors; and, in addition, a shutdown device is planned for each station gate. QUESTION: Will the proposed piping and shutdown devices require the installation of emergency shutdown systems? INTERPRETATION: Under §§ 192.13 and 192.167, each attended onshore compressor station readied for service after March 12, 1971, must have an emergency shutdown system that complies with §192.167. Also, §192.167 applies to any preexisting compressor station that is replaced, relocated, or otherwise changed after November 12, 1970. Inasmuch as the proposed piping and shutdown devices do not involve replacement or relocation of the existing compressor stations or have any substantial effect on the existing design or construction of those stations, §192.167 would not require emergency shutdown systems to be installed. Richard L. Beam Associate Director for Pipeline Safety Regulation DB/dal/192.167 82-10-12 1#

Page 2Materials Transportation Bureau SUBJECT: Interpretation Compressor Stations FROM: Richard L. Beam Associate Director for Pipeline Safety Regulation TO: Richard E. Sanders, Program Manager Pipeline Safety Transportation Safety Institute The attached interpretation has been issued in response to your memorandum of September 8, 1982. Attachment DB/dal/192.167 82-10-12 2#