81 FR 41371 - Pipeline Safety: Public Workshop on Underground Natural Gas Storage Safety
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 122 (June 24, 2016)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 122 (June 24, 2016)
| Page Range | 41371-41373 | |
| FR Document | 2016-14953 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 41371-41373] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-14953] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0023] Pipeline Safety: Public Workshop on Underground Natural Gas Storage Safety AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting to solicit input and obtain background information concerning underground natural gas storage safety. PHMSA and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) are co-sponsoring this one-day workshop. The workshop will bring federal and state regulators, emergency responders, industry, and interested members of the public together to participate in understanding and shaping the future for maintaining the safety of underground natural gas storage facilities. PHMSA and NAPSR recognize that the October, 2015, Southern California Gas Company's (SoCal Gas) Aliso Canyon underground natural gas storage [[Page 41372]] facility leak on Well SS25 located in the Porter Ranch area near Los Angeles, California, has drawn concerns regarding natural gas storage well safety and the environmental effects of an incident. Currently, throughout the United States, approximately 400 interstate and intrastate underground natural gas storage facilities are operating with more than four trillion cubic feet of natural gas working capacity. DATES: The public workshop will be held on July 14, 2016. Name badge pick up and on-site registration will be available starting at 7:30 a.m., with the workshop taking place from 8:00 a.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. mountain time. Online preregistration for the workshop is available until July 10, 2016. Refer to the meeting Web site for the latest information about the meeting including agenda and the webcast. http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=115. Presentations and a recording of proceedings will be available within 30 days after the event. ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Renaissance Boulder Flatiron Hotel located at 500 Flatiron Boulevard, Broomfield, Colorado 80021. The hotel can be contacted at 1-303-464-8400. Registration: Members of the public may attend this free workshop. Please note that the public workshop will also be webcast for those who cannot attend in person. To help assure that adequate space is provided, attendees, both in person and by webcast, should register in advance at the PHMSA public meeting Web site at: http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=115. Onsite registration will also be available for those attending in person. Presentations will also be available online at the meeting page Web site within 30 days following the meeting. Comments: Members of the public may submit written comments either before or after the workshop. Comments should reference Docket No.: PHMSA-2016-0023. Comments may be submitted in the following ways:E-Gov Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. This site allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any agency. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Fax: 1-202-493-2251. Mail: Docket Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Management System, Room W12-140, on the ground floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Instructions: Identify the docket number (PHMSA-2016-0023) at the beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail, submit two copies. If you wish to receive confirmation that PHMSA has received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov. Note: Comments will be posted without changes or edits to http://www.regulations.gov including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act Statement below for additional information. Privacy Act Statement Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments received for any of our dockets. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19476) or visit http://dms.dot.gov. Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meeting, please contact Kenneth Lee, Engineering and Research Division, at (202) 366- 2694 or [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Lee, Engineering and Research Division, at 202-366-2694 or [email protected] about the subject matter in this notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA and NAPSR recognize that many of the existing underground natural gas storage facilities across the country have wells that have similar characteristics to the SoCal Gas Well SS25. Many, like Well SS25, are over 50 years old. They may flow through both the tubing and production casing with no subsurface safety valve or isolation zone with completion fluid to offset the high pressure effects of a possible casing corrosion leak. Many were originally constructed using production techniques such as having pipe sections that were joined by threaded couplings, not girth welds. They typically do not have a corrosion resistant internal or external protective coating. The workshop will have discussions on the aging effects on well safety including safety practices in well design, operations, and maintenance measures including downhole assessments and the type of preventative and mitigative measures to implement. Underground natural gas storage wells have operating pressures from about 200 pounds per square inch (psi) to 4,500 psi. By comparison, the maximum U.S. pipeline pressures are a maximum of about 2,000 psi and most are below 1,000 psi. Unlike line pipe, which for natural gas pipeline operations, has a design factor of 0.72 or less, most wells were not installed with consistent standards such as design safety factors to contain the well pressure. On February 5, 2016, (81 FR 6334) PHMSA issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-2016-02. The advisory bulletin recommended that operators of underground natural gas storage facilities review their operating, maintenance, and emergency response activities to ensure that the integrity of underground natural gas storage facilities is properly maintained. This bulletin informed operators about recommended practices and urged operators to take all necessary actions to prevent and mitigate breach of integrity, leaks, or failures at their underground natural gas storage facilities and to ensure the safety of the public and operating personnel and to protect the environment. Operators were advised to: (1) Verify that the pressure required to inject intended natural gas volumes does not exceed the design pressure limits of the reservoir, wells, wellheads, piping, casing, tubing, or associated facilities; (2) Monitor all wells for the presence of annular gas or liquids on a periodic basis; (3) Inspect the wellhead assembly and attached pipelines for each of the wells used; (4) Conduct periodic functional tests of all surface and subsurface safety valve systems and wellhead pipeline isolation valve(s) for proper function and ability to shut-off or isolate the well and remediate improperly functioning valves; (5) Perform risk assessments in a manner that reviews, at a minimum, the API RP 1171 criteria to evaluate the need for subsurface safety valves on new, removed, or replaced tubing strings or production casing; (6) Conduct ongoing assessments for the verification and demonstration of the mechanical integrity of each well and related piping and equipment; (7) Develop and implement a corrosion monitoring and integrity evaluation program for piping, wellhead, casing, and tubing including the usage of the appropriate well log evaluations; [[Page 41373]] (8) Develop and implement procedures for the evaluation of well and attendant storage facilities that include analysis of facility flow erosion, hydrate potential, individual facility component capacity and fluid disposal capability at intended gas flow rates and pressures, and analysis of the specific impacts that the intended operating pressure range could have on the corrosive potential of fluids in the system; (9) Identify potential threats and hazards associated with operation of the underground storage facility; (10) Perform ongoing verification and demonstration of the integrity of the underground storage reservoir or cavern using appropriate monitoring techniques for integrity changes such as the monitoring of pressure and periodic pressure surveys, inventory (injection and withdrawal of all products), product levels, cavern subsidence, and the findings from adjacent production and water wells, and observation wells; (11) Ensure that emergency procedures are reviewed, conducted, and updated at least annually; and (12) Ensure records of the processes, procedures, assessments, reassessments, and mitigation measures are maintained for the life of the storage well. The Aliso Canyon incident has highlighted the concern about the current lack of minimum federal regulations related to the downhole operation of underground natural gas storage wells. The full extent of the damage, both to people and the environment, caused by the Aliso Canyon incident will not be known until much later. This workshop is a forum for PHMSA to collect input regarding safety concerns of the public and the challenges industry faces in conducting daily operations, maintenance, integrity verification, well monitoring, threat and hazard identification, assessments, remediation, site security, emergency response and preparedness, and recordkeeping. Issued in Washington, DC, on June 20, 2016, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.97. Alan K. Mayberry, Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 2016-14953 Filed 6-23-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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mechanism, does not pose an actions that passengers could take in the doors in emergency situations such as
unacceptable risk to motor vehicle event of being double-locked in the those examined, would have
safety. AML believes that compared to subject vehicles (e.g., a passenger will consequential effects on motor vehicle
other motor vehicles, AML’s vehicles be able to disengage the double-lock by safety.
are rarely used to transport children. using the key fob; AML’s vehicles are Based on its analysis of AML’s
With the exception of the Rapide and rarely used to transport children; in the petition, NHTSA has determined that
Rapide S models, all Aston Martin event a driver were to inadvertently lock AML has failed to make a case that
vehicles are two-door sports cars. a passenger in one of the subject having double locked doors in a vehicle
Moreover, AML states that the double- vehicles, the passenger would be able to that is involved in an emergency
locking mechanism in the subject sound the horn to alert the driver and scenario in which the occupants of the
vehicles poses no greater risk to passers-by; many of the subject vehicles subject vehicles are unable to access the
children than the child safety locks have motion sensors that would detect key fob to open the doors and are unable
expressly found to be permitted by the presence of someone in the vehicle, to be seen or heard is inconsequential to
FMVSS No. 206. if that person moved, and sound an safety.
(c) AML stated its belief that there is alarm alerting the driver or passers-by; NHTSA’s Decision: In consideration
little risk that any adults will be locked someone trapped in the vehicle would of the foregoing, NHTSA finds that AML
in its vehicles. probably be able to contact the driver has not met its burden of persuasion
(d) AML stated that in the event a via mobile communication devices, that the FMVSS No. 206 noncompliance
driver were to inadvertently lock a etc.), but offered no specific solution to is inconsequential to motor vehicle
passenger in one of the subject vehicles, lower the risk of being trapped in a car, safety. Accordingly, AML’s petition is
the passenger would be able to sound save complying with the rule, as AML hereby denied and AML is obligated to
the horn, which would remain has been doing since December 2015. provide notification of, and a free
functional, allowing the passenger to In February 2007, NHTSA provided a remedy for, that noncompliance under
alert the driver and passers-by. specific solution towards lowering the 49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120.
(e) AML also stated that many of the risk of a passenger being trapped in a
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120:
subject vehicles have motion sensors motor vehicle when it published a final
Delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and
that would detect the presence of rule 1 to amend FMVSS No. 206. Among 501.8.
someone in the vehicle as soon as that the final rule updates, Paragraphs S4.3
person moved, and an alarm would and S4.3.1, required a lock release/ Gregory K. Rea,
sound, which is audible outside the engagement device located inside the Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
vehicle. Thus, deterring inadvertent vehicle. [FR Doc. 2016–14964 Filed 6–23–16; 8:45 am]
lock-ins of both adults and children and NHTSA also reaffirmed that new BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
would alert passers-by of any passengers requirement for a lock release/
locked in the subject vehicles. engagement device inside the vehicle in
(f) AML stated its belief that if an an interpretation letter to Mr. Thomas DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
adult were locked in a vehicle, he or she Betzer from Keykert, USA. In that
could alert passers-by and would interpretation, NHTSA addressed Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
probably be able to contact the driver whether double-locked doors (doors that Safety Administration
via mobile communication devices that, can only be unlocked using a key)
[Docket No. PHMSA–2016–0023]
in fact, are ubiquitous today and would be allowed under the rule as
certainly are very likely to be in the amended in February 2007 (the current Pipeline Safety: Public Workshop on
possession of the average AML vehicle rule) in a system similar to AML’s in Underground Natural Gas Storage
passenger. that once the driver would activate the Safety
AML also stated that they have not anti-theft alarm with a key, the doors
received any complaints regarding the would be double-locked. Specifically, AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous
subject noncompliance. NHTSA interpreted that double-lock Materials Safety Administration
AML additionally informed NHTSA systems are no longer allowed because (PHMSA), DOT.
that they have corrected the they interfere with the interior door lock ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
noncompliance in vehicles release device. The interpretation also
manufactured from production date makes it clear that in the December 15, SUMMARY: This notice announces a
December 9, 2015 and will correct the 2004, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking public meeting to solicit input and
noncompliance in any unsold and the February 6, 2007, final rule, that obtain background information
noncompliant vehicles prior to sale. NHTSA sought to require interior door concerning underground natural gas
In summation, AML believes that the locks to ‘‘be capable of being unlocked storage safety. PHMSA and the National
described noncompliances are from the interior of the vehicle by Association of Pipeline Safety
inconsequential to motor vehicle safety, means of a lock release device that has Representatives (NAPSR) are co-
and that its petition, to exempt AML an operating means and a lock release/ sponsoring this one-day workshop. The
from providing notification of the engagement device located within the workshop will bring federal and state
noncompliances as required by 49 interior of the vehicle.’’ regulators, emergency responders,
U.S.C. 30118 and remedying the NHTSA has examined certain real industry, and interested members of the
noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C. world situations involving individuals public together to participate in
trapped in motor vehicles, while understanding and shaping the future
sradovich on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
30120 should be granted.
infrequent, are consequential to motor for maintaining the safety of
NHTSA’S Decision vehicle safety. Such scenarios include underground natural gas storage
NHTSA’s Analysis: NHTSA does not vehicle fires, vehicles entering bodies of facilities.
find AML’s rationale that the subject water, and individuals trapped in hot PHMSA and NAPSR recognize that
noncompliance is inconsequential to vehicles. Vehicles with double locked the October, 2015, Southern California
motor vehicle safety persuasive. AML Gas Company’s (SoCal Gas) Aliso
made several assumptions regarding the 1 72 FR 5385, February 6, 2007. Canyon underground natural gas storage
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(8) Develop and implement DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY you consider confidential or
procedures for the evaluation of well inappropriate for public disclosure.
and attendant storage facilities that Office of the Comptroller of the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
include analysis of facility flow erosion, Currency Shaquita Merritt, OCC Clearance
hydrate potential, individual facility Officer, (202) 649–5490 or, for persons
Agency Information Collection
component capacity and fluid disposal who are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY,
Activities: Information Collection
capability at intended gas flow rates and (202) 649–5597, Legislative and
Renewal; Comment Request; Real
pressures, and analysis of the specific Regulatory Activities Division, Office of
Estate Lending and Appraisals
impacts that the intended operating the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th
pressure range could have on the AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Street SW., Suite 3E–218, Mail Stop
corrosive potential of fluids in the Currency (OCC), Treasury. 9W–11, Washington, DC 20219.
system; ACTION: Notice and request for comment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
(9) Identify potential threats and PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), Federal
SUMMARY: The OCC, as part of its agencies must obtain approval from the
hazards associated with operation of the
continuing effort to reduce paperwork OMB for each collection of information
underground storage facility;
and respondent burden, invites the that they conduct or sponsor.
(10) Perform ongoing verification and general public and other Federal ‘‘Collection of information’’ is defined
demonstration of the integrity of the agencies to take this opportunity to in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR
underground storage reservoir or cavern comment on a continuing information 1320.3(c) to include agency requests or
using appropriate monitoring collection, as required by the Paperwork requirements that members of the public
techniques for integrity changes such as Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). submit reports, keep records, or provide
the monitoring of pressure and periodic In accordance with the requirements information to a third party. Section
pressure surveys, inventory (injection of the PRA, the OCC may not conduct 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C.
and withdrawal of all products), or sponsor, and the respondent is not 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal agencies
product levels, cavern subsidence, and required to respond to, an information to provide a 60-day notice in the
the findings from adjacent production collection unless it displays a currently Federal Register concerning each
and water wells, and observation wells; valid Office of Management and Budget proposed collection of information,
(OMB) control number. including each proposed extension of an
(11) Ensure that emergency existing collection of information,
procedures are reviewed, conducted, The OCC is soliciting comment
concerning renewal of its information before submitting the collection to OMB
and updated at least annually; and for approval. To comply with this
collection titled, ‘‘Real Estate Lending
(12) Ensure records of the processes, and Appraisals.’’ requirement, the OCC is publishing
procedures, assessments, reassessments, notice of the proposed collection of
DATES: Comments must be received by
and mitigation measures are maintained information set forth in this document.
August 23, 2016. Title: Real Estate Lending and
for the life of the storage well.
ADDRESSES: Because paper mail in the Appraisals (12 CFR 34, 160, 164, 190).
The Aliso Canyon incident has Washington, DC area and at the OCC is OMB Control No.: 1557–0190.
highlighted the concern about the subject to delay, commenters are Type of Review: Extension, without
current lack of minimum federal encouraged to submit comments by revision, of a currently approved
regulations related to the downhole email, if possible. Comments may be collection.
operation of underground natural gas sent to: Legislative and Regulatory Description: Twelve CFR parts 34 and
storage wells. The full extent of the Activities Division, Office of the 160 contain reporting and
damage, both to people and the Comptroller of the Currency, Attention: recordkeeping requirements. Twelve
environment, caused by the Aliso 1557–0190, 400 7th Street SW., Suite CFR part 34, subpart B (Adjustable-Rate
Canyon incident will not be known 3E–218, Mail Stop 9W–11, Washington, Mortgages (ARM)), subpart E (Other
until much later. DC 20219. In addition, comments may Real Estate Owned (OREO)), and part
This workshop is a forum for PHMSA be sent by fax to (571) 465–4326 or by 160 contain reporting requirements.
to collect input regarding safety electronic mail to prainfo@occ.treas.gov. Twelve CFR part 34, subpart C
concerns of the public and the You may personally inspect and (Appraisal Requirements), subpart D
challenges industry faces in conducting photocopy comments at the OCC, 400 (Real Estate Lending Standards), and
daily operations, maintenance, integrity 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20219. parts 160 and 164 contain
For security reasons, the OCC requires recordkeeping requirements. Twelve
verification, well monitoring, threat and
that visitors make an appointment to CFR 190.4(h) contains a disclosure
hazard identification, assessments,
inspect comments. You may do so by requirement concerning Federally-
remediation, site security, emergency calling (202) 649–6700 or, for persons related residential manufactured
response and preparedness, and who are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, housing loans.
recordkeeping. (202) 649–5597. Upon arrival, visitors Twelve CFR part 34, subpart B,
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 20, will be required to present valid section 34.22(a) requires that for ARM
2016, under authority delegated in 49 CFR government-issued photo identification loans, the loan documentation must
1.97. and submit to security screening in specify an index or combination of
order to inspect and photocopy indices to which changes in the interest
sradovich on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
Alan K. Mayberry,
Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline comments. rate will be linked. Sections 34.22(b)
Safety. All comments received, including and 160.35(d)(3) provide notice
[FR Doc. 2016–14953 Filed 6–23–16; 8:45 am] attachments and other supporting procedures to be used when seeking to
materials, are part of the public record use an alternative index.
BILLING CODE 4910–60–P
and subject to public disclosure. Do not Twelve CFR 34.44 and 164.4 provide
include any information in your minimum standards for the performance
comment or supporting materials that of real estate appraisals, including the
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Document Created: 2016-06-24 00:52:59
Document Modified: 2016-06-24 00:52:59
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of public meeting. | |
| Dates | The public workshop will be held on July 14, 2016. Name badge pick up and on-site registration will be available starting at 7:30 a.m., with the workshop taking place from 8:00 a.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. mountain time. Online preregistration for the workshop is available until July 10, 2016. Refer to the meeting Web site for the latest information about the meeting including agenda and the webcast. http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=115. Presentations and a recording of proceedings will be available within 30 days after the event. | |
| Contact | Kenneth Lee, Engineering and Research Division, at 202-366-2694 or [email protected] about the subject matter in this notice. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 41371 |
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