PHMSA Mega Rule Compliance Using Software

By Joe Pikas

Introduction to Rulemaking

The first set of prescriptive regulations designed to improve safety by reducing the frequency of pipeline failures was brought about by the Gas Rule in 1971. This original rulemaking was the result of the many failures pipeline operators were experiencing at the time. Multiple rules after that were set into place to ensure compliance with safety standards.

In 2003, the Integrity Rule was introduced, which was a comprehensive, systematic, and fully integrated integrity management program. An integrity management program provides the information for an operator to effectively allocate resources for appropriate prevention, detection, and mitigation activities resulting in improved safety and a reduction in the number of incidents

Creation of the Mega Rule

These rules go relatively unchanged as pipeline failures are largely uncommon, but an occurrence can both be devastating and costly for the local population and the environment. Occurrences such as the San Bruno pipeline explosion in 2010 served as the tipping point for perhaps the largest update in public policy in the oil and gas sector to be seen in years. A decade in the making, The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released a rule so massive that it has been dubbed the “Mega Rule.” Due to its size, the rule is divided into three parts:

• Part 1 (2020) Focused on Material Verification (MAOP), Expansion of Assessments, and TVC
• Part 2 (2022) Corrosion, Excavation Damage (Encroachment), Construction, Repair Criteria from Integrity Activities
• Part 3 (2023) Jurisdiction of Type C Onshore Gathering Lines (426,000 miles)

Preparing for Implementation

The Mega Rule is so comprehensive that a compliance deadline has been set for 2035, more than a decade into the future. However, Technical Toolboxes has been planning for the Mega Rule’s significant changes for integrity, operating, and compliance needs of pipeline operators. The focus will consist of digitizing, mapping, and streamlining the integration of all data to meet the traceable, verifiable, complete (TVC) regulatory requirements.

The Technical Toolboxes’ Pipeline HUB serves as an all-in-one platform to manage all data in compliance with the increased reporting and safety regulations of part 1 of the Mega Rule. The ability to configure asset data once and plug it into any application on the Pipeline HUB minimizes the risk of errors and automates the reporting process. Alongside the Pipeline HUB, the Pipeline Toolbox Gas Version (PLTBG) consists of many applications such as Pipeline Crossings Cathodic Protection and Design and Stress Analysis that assist in external corrosion control (192.463) and continued surveillance (192.613) in accordance with the PHMSA regulations.

See below for a full list of solutions offered by Technical Toolboxes to assist in the compliance with the PHMSA Mega Rule. Click here to speak to an engineering advisor or request a demo for one of our suites.

Watch our previously recorded webinar on “Streamlining PHMSA Mega Rule Compliance Using Software” or attend our training on “Corrosion Management of Aging Pipelines”

Or contact me, the author, Joe Pikas, at [email protected]

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