1. Pipeline Regulations Update
Stephanie Weidman, PHMSA Program Director
August 2017

2. Agenda RRC Jurisdiction Pipeline Safety Overview
Helpful Links and webpages
Regulation changes

3. RRC Mission
Our mission statement is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans.
The Commission works to protect the people and natural resources of our state, while maintaining a regulatory environment that fosters economic growth and prosperity for all Texans.

4. Jurisdiction Oil and natural gas exploration & production industry
Intrastate pipelines, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Natural gas utilities
Coal and uranium surface mining operations

5. Jurisdiction What does not fall under RRC jurisdiction?
Roads & traffic
Noise, odors and lighting
Air quality
Mineral interests/leases
Railroads
Pipeline siting
Property damages

6. Oversight and Safety Division
Alternative Fuels Training and Regulation
Gas Utilities Rates and Compliance
Pipeline Safety

7. Pipeline Safety Responsibilities
Safety inspection of regulated pipeline systems
Distribution, Transmission, and Hazardous Liquids
Investigation of pipeline incidents/accidents
Respond to public complaints and inquires
Pipeline permitting and mapping
Pipeline damage prevention compliance
The core responsibilities of the Pipeline Safety department includes safety compliance for distribution, transmission, hazardous liquids, and some regulated gathering pipelines.
Field inspections include safety evaluations of Intra-State pipeline systems, investigation of pipeline failures and follow-up on public complaints.
Pipeline Safety also processes T-4 pipeline permits and maps the pipeline systems to the RRC GIS public map viewer.
Pipeline damage prevention as an element of Pipeline Safety, ensures compliance with safe digging regulations for both excavators and pipeline operators.

8. Pipeline Safety 439,771 total pipeline miles in Texas
218,670 miles of pipeline under direct RRC safety oversight
RRC regulates intrastate pipeline in Texas
interstate pipeline regulated by Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
Oil and Gas Division responds to spills
Intrastate Pipelines: Those pipelines that start and stop within Texas
Interstate Pipelines: Those pipelines that cross State borders

9. Red= Natural Gas Pipelines
Green= Crude Oil Pipelines
Blue- Hazardous Liquid Pipelines

10. Pipeline Safety
Regional Offices
1 - Pampa
2 - Midland
3 - Kilgore
4 - Austin
5 - Houston
6 - Fort Worth
7 - Corpus Christi

11. Regulations What do we mean by regulated pipelines?
Natural Gas Pipelines: 49 CFR Part 192
Hazardous Liquid Pipelines: 49 CFR Part 195
RRC Pipeline Regulations: TAC Chapter 8
RRC Damage Prevention: TAC Chapter 18
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) has a notice of proposed rule making which proposes changes to both 49 CFR 192 and 49 CFR 195. I will get into those changes and how they may affect O&G operators a few slides down

12. What is a Regulated Pipeline?
Natural Gas Pipelines
All Distribution and Transmission lines
Some Gathering pipelines (API RP 80)
Class 2, 3 and 4 locations
Crude Oil Pipelines
Any pipeline greater than 10 inches
Some gathering lines between 6 and 8 inches
Distribution and Transmission pipeline as defined under 49 CFR 192.3
Gas Gathering pipelines in class 2, 3 and 4 locations
Regulated rural crude oil pipeline
(a) Definition. As used in this section, a regulated rural gathering line means an onshore gathering line in a rural area that meets all of the following criteria—
(1) Has a nominal diameter from 65⁄8 inches (168 mm) to 85⁄8 inches (219.1 mm);
(2) Is located in or within one-quarter mile (.40 km) of an unusually sensitive area as defined in §195.6; and
(3) Operates at a maximum pressure established under § corresponding to—
A stress level greater than 20-percent of the specified minimum yield strength of the line pipe; 

13. Pipeline Safety—Permitting
What it is
An application to operate a pipeline in Texas
What is needed
Form P5 Organization Report (always)
Non-Utility Certificate (private line only)
Why you file
To classify each pipeline(s) system(s) and or gathering system(s)
To renew original T4
To amend original T4
Per TAC Chapter 3 Rule 3.70: A T-4 permit is required for each operator of a pipeline or gathering system, other than a production or flow line that does not leave a lease or an operator excluded under §8.1(b)(4) of this title. The permit is renewable annually.
Pipeline Safety processes these T-4 pipeline permits and maps the pipeline systems to the RRC GIS public map viewer.

14. Pipeline Safety—Permitting
New! Pipeline Online Permitting System (POPS)
POPS: live February 21, 2016
Revised T-4 Form (Gas and Liquid)
T-4 permit applications can now be filed online!
We strongly recommend operators file online, however, fillable pdfs are still available

15. Permitting Contact Information
Contact Information
Permitting Bruce Waterman
Patrick Sowell
Mapping Lori Mireles
Colby Broadway
Kristi Schulz

16. Damage Prevention 2016 Statistics Total # locate requests 2,988,204
Number of Pipeline damages
9,064
Damages per thousand tickets
3.03
Amount of penalties received for closed dockets
$4,584,700.00
Pipeline damage prevention as an element of Pipeline Safety, ensures compliance with safe digging regulations for both excavators and pipeline operators.

17. Damage per 1000 Locates

18. Root Cause This number is down from 29% last year.
Over half of the causes are for no notification, unmarked or facilities not marked properly. We are in the process of revising rules that should be released for comment as early as next week

19. Subscription Services

24. Gas NPRM Docket: PHMSA-2011-0023 ANPRM: August 25, 2011
NPRM: April 8, 2016
Comment Period Extended: July 7, 2016
Go to:
Enter the docket number
Gas Gathering – huge changes
8 in Diameter
Greater than 20% SMYS
More pipe regulated

25. HB 2982
HB 2982
While no rule(s) are in place currently, we continue to assess the need
Gives RRC authority to investigate accidents and complaints
Requires operator to provide remediation plan

26. Stephanie Weidman PHMSA Program Director Phone: 512-463-2519 Stephanie
Stephanie Weidman PHMSA Program Director Phone: