On November 2, 2021, The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a final rule that expands federal pipeline safety oversight to all onshore gas gathering pipelines. This new rule applies to U.S. onshore natural gas pipelines, which include more than 400,000 miles of previously unregulated gas gathering lines. Parts addressed within the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) title 49, are 49 CFR Parts:
When PHMSA last updated regulations addressing gas gathering lines in 2006, it exempted gathering lines in Class 1 locations from reporting and safety requirements in parts 191 and 192.
The rule establishes a new category of regulated onshore gathering lines that covers higher-pressure lines that pose a heightened risk in rural areas . The new category (Type C gathering lines) are defined as gas gathering lines in Class 1 locations that have outer diameters of 8.625 inches or greater and operate at higher stress levels or pressures. The safety requirements for Type C lines, referred to as Type C requirements in the final rule, are specified in revised §192.9 (e) and vary based on the outer diameter of the pipeline and the potential consequences of a failure.
The rule also requires all onshore gas gathering pipeline operators to begin filing incident reports and annual reports. Gathering lines identified within this rule will be subject to expanded federal oversight in 2022...
What are all the requirements that apply to gathering pipelines?
This all depends on the type of gathering line, material and when it was placed in service. For more information and assistance understanding the rule and how it applies to your exiting and or future facilities, please contact us via email: consulting@astarinc.com or call us at: 800.604.0675 our Compliance experts will be happy to assist you with any of your questions.
A version of the final rule can be viewed by clicking on the link:
The version provided in the above link is not the official version. Please refer to the official version in a forthcoming Federal Register publication, which will appear on the websites of each of the Federal Register (www.federalregister.gov) and the Government Printing Office (www.govinfo.gov). After publication in the Federal Register, this unofficial version will be removed from PHMSA’s website and replaced with a link to the official version. PHMSA will also post the official version in docket no. PHMSA-2011-0023.