PHMSA Sets Oct. 22 Workshop on Pipeline Defect Repairs
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has scheduled an Oct. 22 workshop to discuss with stakeholders the right way to assess and repair hazardous liquid pipeline anomalies, such as cracks and corrosion defects. The event will take place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, 201 Waterfront St. in National Harbor, Md.
"Recent observations by PHMSA indicate possible inconsistencies in how natural gas transmission pipeline operators assess and repair anomalies, such as corrosion defects, and apply the results of calculations to their decision making for further action," the agency's notice states. "Special permits granted by PHMSA over the past two years prescribe specific assessment and repair procedures for pipelines operating under a class location change and maximum allowable operating pressure special permit. Moreover, recent research indicating that existing methods of predicting the remaining strength of corroded pipe could provide non-conservative results (i.e., the pipe will fail at a pressure lower than that predicted) in some circumstances. Non-conservative results could be obtained even when the dimensions of pipeline anomalies are known with precision."
The Workshop on Assessment and Repair of Anomalies in Pipelines is free to attend but will not be webcast. Contact Max Kieba at 202-493-0595 or max.kieba@dot.gov for information about attending it, or submit written comments either before or after the workshop (referencing Docket ID PHMSA-2008-0255) via www.regulations.gov. For a detailed agenda, visit http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/Mtg55.mtg.