RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

Chairman David Porter

Commissioner Christi CraddickCommissioner Ryan Sitton

September 15-17, 2015

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

Kari French, DirectorOversight and SafetyHB 2982 Workshop

What does HB 2982 do?

• Specifically, the bill amended the State laws delegating to the Railroad Commission the authority to regulate pipeline safety for intrastate pipelines.

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Did you know?

• The Commission is authorized to regulate transportation and gathering facilities in Class 1 and rural locations based on risk.

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The Pipeline Safety Inspector Will…• Investigate an accident, an

incident, a threat to public safety,

• Or a complaint related to operational safety,

• Require an operator to submit a plan to remediate an accident, incident, threat, or complaint.

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The Oversight and Safety Division may:

• Require reports necessary to the Commission

• Investigate an accident, an incident, a threat to public safety,

• Or a complaint related to operational safety;

The Oversight and Safety Division may:

• Require operators to provide information to the Commission

• Determine risks presented to the public safety

There is no rule currently…

The Commission has not adopted or proposed a rule on the regulation of Class 1 and rural gathering pipelines and facilities.

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Survey of Class 1/Rural Gathering Results

• Over 600 responses.

• Majority of pipe = Steel>500 psig MAOP - 69.3%<30% SMYS -57.4%

• Class Location Surveys determine whether subject to regulation under 49 CFR Part 192 (gas) or 49 CFR Part 195 (hazardous liquid) 83.6%

• Leak surveys conducted = 62.4%

• Cathodic Protection = 57.9%

• Patrol/surveillance on system = 77.3%

• External corrosion control/monitoring = 55.9% NO

• Internal corrosion control/monitoring = 63.8% NO

• Atmospheric corrosion control/monitoring = 54.8% NO

Survey of Class 1/Rural Gathering Results

• System pressure tested = 78.5% –Post construction = 93.0%– Integrity Assessment pressure

testing = 15.9%– Integrity Assessment methodology

other than pressure testing? NO = 89.2%

• Pressure limiting / regulating equipment = 73.9%

Rural Gathering Results – Cont’d

• Valve maintenance = 66.4% • Line markers = 90.7% • Gas odorized = 90.6% NO • Damage Prevention program = 60.1% • Member of Notification center =

86.5% • Chapter 18 program = 55.3% NO

Rural Gathering Results – Cont’d

• Emergency Plans / Procedures = 60.4%–Community Liaison / Emergency responder activities = 69.7% NO

–Public Awareness = 70.0% NO

Rural Gathering Results – Cont’d

• Different types of facilities within 660ft of system– Day care = 14.7% – Hospital = 11.8% – Nursing Home = 2.9% – Other = 70.6% – Prison = 1.0% – Industrial Complex = 4.7% – Airport = 0.9% – Occupy Public Record of Highway ROW =

22.1% – Cross Public Road or Highway = 61.7% – Cross any type of body of water = 13.3%

Rural Gathering Results – Cont’d

Other Considerations?

• Flow Lines?• Point of Measurement? • Lines of Vacuum?

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Questions?

Contact information

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1701 N. Congress Ave.

P.O. Box 12967

Austin, TX

78711-2967

Kari French, Director Oversight and Safety Division

Office (512) 463-8559Fax (512) 463-7962

Email: kari.french@rrc.texas.gov