§192.9. What requirements apply to gathering pipelines? — Inbound Citations

(c) Unless otherwise specified, if an operator submits, pursuant to § 192.8, § 192.9, § 192.13, § 192.179, § 192.319, § 192.461, § 192.506, § 192.607, § 192.619, § 192.624, § 192.632, § 192.634, § 192.636, § 192.710, § 192.712, § 192.714, § 192.745, § 192.917, § 192.921, § 192.927, § 192.933, or § 192.937, a notification for use of a different integrity assessment method, analytical method, compliance period, sampling approach, pipeline material, or technique (e.g., “other technology” or “alternative equivalent technology”) than otherwise prescribed in those sections, that notification must be submitted to PHMSA for review at least 90 days in advance of using the other method, approach, compliance timeline, or technique. An operator may proceed to use the other method, approach, compliance timeline, or technique 91 days after submitting the notification unless it receives a letter from the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety informing the operator that PHMSA objects to the proposal or that PHMSA requires additional time and/or more information to conduct its review.

(b) For any Type A or Type B regulated onshore gathering line under § 192.9 existing on April 14, 2006, that was not previously subject to this part, and for any onshore gathering line that becomes a regulated onshore gathering line under § 192.9 after April 14, 2006, because of a change in class location or increase in dwelling density:

(1) The requirements of this subpart specifically applicable to pipelines installed before August 1, 1971, apply to the gathering line regardless of the date the pipeline was actually installed; and

(2) The requirements of this subpart specifically applicable to pipelines installed after July 31, 1971, apply only if the pipeline substantially meets those requirements.

(2) For any Type C gas gathering pipeline under § 192.9 existing on or before May 16, 2022, that was not previously subject to this part and the operator cannot determine the actual operating pressure of the pipeline for the 5 years preceding May 16, 2023, the operator may establish MAOP using other criteria based on a combination of operating conditions, other tests, and design with approval from PHMSA. The operator must notify PHMSA in accordance with § 192.18. The notification must include the following information:

(i) The proposed MAOP of the pipeline;

(ii) Description of pipeline segment for which alternate methods are used to establish MAOP, including diameter, wall thickness, pipe grade, seam type, location, endpoints, other pertinent material properties, and age;

(iii) Pipeline operating data, including operating history and maintenance history;

(iv) Description of methods being used to establish MAOP;

(v) Technical justification for use of the methods chosen to establish MAOP; and

(i) For gathering lines subject to this section in accordance with § 192.9 and for offshore transmission lines, an operator must make permanent repairs as soon as feasible.

(c) For purposes of part 191 of this chapter and § 192.9, the term “regulated onshore gathering pipeline” means:

(1) Each Type A, Type B, or Type C onshore gathering pipeline (or segment of onshore gathering pipeline) with a feature described in the second column of table 1 to paragraph (c)(2) of this section that lies in an area described in the third column; and

(2) As applicable, additional lengths of pipeline described in the fourth column to provide a safety buffer:

(3) A Type R gathering line is subject to reporting requirements under part 191 of this chapter but is not a regulated onshore gathering line under this part.

(4) For the purpose of identifying Type C lines in table 1 to paragraph (c)(2) of this section, if an operator has not calculated MAOP consistent with the methods at § 192.619(a) or (c)(1), the operator must either:

(i) Calculate MAOP consistent with the methods at § 192.619(a) or (c)(1); or

(ii) Use as a substitute for MAOP the highest operating pressure to which the segment was subjected during the preceding 5 operating years.

(1) Exists on a master meter system, a reporting-regulated gathering pipeline, a Type C gas gathering pipeline with an outside diameter of 12.75 inches or less, a Type C gas gathering pipeline covered by the exception in § 192.9(f)(1) of this subchapter and therefore not required to comply with § 192.9(e)(2)(ii), or a customer-owned service line;

(1) Exists on a master meter system, a reporting-regulated gathering pipeline, a Type C gas gathering pipeline with an outside diameter of 12.75 inches or less, a Type C gas gathering pipeline covered by the exception in § 192.9(f)(1) of this subchapter and therefore not required to comply with § 192.9(e)(2)(ii), or a customer-owned service line;