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High Consequence Areas
In accordance with federal regulations some areas near pipelines have
been designated as High Consequence Areas. For these areas, suppIemental hazard
assessment and prevention programs, known as Integrity Management Programs, have
been developed. If a pipeline operator has High Consequence Areas,
information about these plans may be available through their company website or
by contacting the operator's corporate offices.
Integrity Management Plan
Pipeline integrity management is a process for assessing and mitigating
pipeline risk in order to reduce both the likelihood and consequences of incidents.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT), having responsibility for ensuring the
safe operation of the nation's pipeline transportation infrastructure, adopted federal
integrity management regulations for both the hazardous liquid and the gas pipeline
industries. The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 established regulations
for gas pipeline integrity management in December 2002.
Atlas Pipeline Mid-Continent, LLC (APLMC) and its subsidiaries have a
comprehensive pipeline integrity management program for maintaining the reliability
and safety of its pipeline systems. Proper inspection and maintenance is critical
to safe and reliable pipeline operations. All jurisdictional pipelines located in
High Consequence Areas are subject to ongoing inspections, in compliance with federal
regulations, specifically 49 CFR Part 192 Subpart O and/or the Railroad Commission
of Texas Chapter 8.101 for gas pipelines.
Pipeline inspection is accomplished using methods approved by the DOT
such as special inspection tools inserted into the pipeline, called "smart
pigs", or through pressure testing the line to higher than normal operating
pressures. Pipeline defects found that would significantly impact safe pipeline
operation are excavated and repaired in a timely manner. Emphasis is placed on minimizing
customer outages, minimizing environmental impact, and most importantly on maintaining
public safety.
The APLMC gas pipeline system integrity management program was developed
to effectively evaluate and maintain the integrity of its pipeline systems. The
gas integrity management program is designed to minimize the risks and consequences
of having a gas pipeline failure that could impact populated areas and surrounding
environments.
The APLMC gas integrity management program follows strict federal
and state pipeline regulations that require companies to develop, maintain and continuously
improve integrity management programs to protect high consequence areas (HCAs).
APLMC’s integrity management plan includes: Segment Identification; Risk Analysis;
Assessments; Information Analysis; Management of Change; Performance Measures; Communications;
and Quality Assurance.
Segment Identification
The HCA identification process used both routine operations and maintenance activities,
and input from public officials with safety or emergency response and planning responsibilities
to determine the existence of HCAs. APLMC also uses visible markings such as signs,
facility licensing or registration data on file with Federal, State, or local government
agencies, or lists or maps maintained by or available from a Federal, State, or
local government agency and available to the general public to assist in HCA determination.
Risk Analysis
This process addresses the overall risk used to support various gas integrity management
program elements, which may include Baseline Assessment Plan development, continuing
evaluation and assessment of pipeline integrity, and identification of preventive
and mitigative measures.
Assessments
APLMC gas pipeline integrity management personnel provide expertise in managing
the risks of pipeline operations. These individuals manage the identification, assessment
and mitigation of risk as it relates to pipeline design and construction, system
operations and system integrity.
To assist in pipeline integrity assessments,
Atlas uses In Line Inspection, or "smart pig" tools or other tools capable
of detecting corrosion and deformation anomalies including dents, gouges and grooves
and hydrostatic pressure tests for the integrity assessment of its pipelines.
Information Analysis
This process identifies additional measures to prevent a pipeline failure and to
mitigate the consequences of a pipeline failure in a high consequence area, as well
as to determine a required reassessment interval. Additional preventive and mitigative
measures will be based on a risk analysis of threats identified to each pipeline
segment. The reassessment determination will be based on the evaluation of available
pipeline data and potential threats to the pipeline segments.
Management of Change
This process provides means to propose modifications to or deviations from the APLMC
gas integrity management program. Modifications are defined as the revision, creation,
or removal of integrity management processes, procedures, or integrity assessment
schedules. Significant changes to the program, program implementation, or schedules
will be reported to OPS or the State or local pipeline authority as required.
Performance Measures
APLMC performs evaluations to assess the effectiveness of its gas pipeline integrity
management program to determine the program effectiveness through a set of performance
metrics that provides a meaningful measure of the program's performance and effectiveness
in reducing risk and protecting the high consequence areas.
Communications
The communications process is the key to the APLMC gas pipeline integrity management
program. Internal communications help ensure that employees have current information
about the pipeline system and the integrity management program. External communications
with regulatory entities are required to keep interested parties aware of the efforts
regarding system integrity.
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance is a mechanism used to ensure that the requirements set forth
in the gas integrity management program are met through documentation, implementation,
and maintenance activities.
Further information regarding gas pipeline
integrity management regulations can be found at
http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp/
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