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I N N O V AT I O N S • V O L . V I I , N O. 1 • 2 0 1 5
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T E C H N O L O G Y F O C U S
New regulations from the Pipeline Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA) are a lot like those first grey hairs that
inevitably come with age: Even though you expect them, they can still
sneak up on you.
Take, for example, PHMSA’s Advisory Bulletin 2012-06.
It was PHMSA’s notice to U.S. natural gas transmission operators
about the changes they’ll be required to make when verifying and
reporting operating specifications for maximum allowable operating
pressure (MAOP) and maximum operating pressure (MOP). Part of
the agency’s proposed Integrity Verification Process (IVP), the pending
regulation means that all gas transmission operators will eventually
have to integrate new methodologies into their integrity management
programs and be ready for agency audits.
Although the bulletin was issued more than two years ago, the
timetable for compliance remains unknown. No one can say with
certainty when IVP will go into effect. Even the comment period,
originally expected for early 2015, has turned into a moving target.
None of this, however, absolves operators from their future
responsibility. IVP is on its way. So while the expectation is clear,
the possibility still exists that the proposed rule could catch
operators off guard.
The best bet to avoid a sneak attack is through advanced planning
and preparation. That’s why even though the regulation isn’t a reality yet,
many operators are looking to get a head start.
All Pipe Joints Are Not Created Equal.
Among the requirements of PHMSA’s ADB–2012–06 is the validation
of material records. In many cases, though, those records are
insufficient, were lost over time, or were never kept in the first place.
So this leaves operators asking two questions: Is it possible for me
to satisfy the IVP requirements without incurring all of the associated
costs of extensive excavations and laboratory testing? And, if so, can I
accomplish the same results through non-destructive methods alone?
The answer to both questions is yes.
Avoid Surprises
and Premature Grey Hair
Using inline inspection
to comply with pending
PHMSA rules