Gas Gathering Line Definition

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Part 192

[Docket No. RSPA-98-4868, Notice 1]

RIN 2137-AB15

Gas Gathering Line Definition

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces an electronic public discussion forum

and subsequent written comment period on defining gas gathering lines

for the purposes of pipeline safety regulation. In 1991, we proposed a

definition of gas gathering. A change to the pipeline safety laws in

1992 requires us to revisit that proposal and to consider whether and

to what extent we should regulate gathering lines in rural areas. This

opportunity for public input will allow us to decide whether and how to

modify the regulations. The comments may also inform the process when

we consider development of a separate proposal on regulating gas

gathering lines in rural areas.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 28, 1999. The

electronic public discussion forum will commence on April 13, 1999, at

9:00 a.m. EST and end on May 5, 1999, at 4:30 p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: The Internet address for the electronic discussion forum is

http://ops.dot.gov/forum. Address written comments to the Dockets

Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room PL-401, 400

Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Comments should identify

the Docket No. RSPA-98-4868. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of

receipt of their comments should include a self-addressed, stamped

postcard. Comments may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected].

The Dockets Management System is located on the Plaza Level of the

Department of Transportation's Nassif Building at 400 Seventh Street,

SW, Washington, DC. Public dockets may be reviewed in person between

the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays. In addition, the public may also review comments by

accessing the Docket Management System's home page at http://

dms.dot.gov. An electronic copy of any document may be downloaded from

the Government Printing Office Electronic Bulletin Board Service at

(202) 512-1661.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L.E. Herrick, (202) 366-5523, Research

and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation,

400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The electronic public discussion forum will

be held at the conferences and public meetings section of the Office of

Pipeline Safety's Internet home page. The forum will allow near real-

time electronic discussion of the rulemaking. We hope it will increase

the breadth of participation in the commenting process. A transcript of

the electronic discussion forum will be placed in the docket.

Issues for discussion: Segments of gathering lines in rural areas

are excluded from the Federal pipeline safety regulations in 49 CFR

Part 192. In these regulations the term ``gathering line'' is defined

with reference to a ``transmission line'' or ``main'', a type of

distribution line. The term ``transmission line'' is then defined with

reference to a gathering line, and ``distribution line'' is defined

with reference to a gathering or transmission line. Therefore under

current regulations:

``Distribution line'' means a pipeline other than a gathering or

transmission line. ``Gathering line'' means a pipeline that

transports gas from a current production facility to a transmission

line or main.

``Transmission line'' means a pipeline, other than a gathering

line, that transports gas from a gathering line or storage facility

to a distribution center or storage facility; operates at a hoop

stress of 20 percent or more of SMYS; or transports gas within a

storage field.

These definitions have long been unsatisfactory. As a result of

this cross-referencing, the point where a gathering line ends and

transmission or distribution begins is often subject to varying

interpretation.

On September 25, 1991, we proposed a revised definition in a notice

of proposed rulemaking (NPRM):

``Gathering line'' means, except as provided in paragraph (4),

any pipeline or part of a connected series of pipelines used to

transport gas from a well or the first production facility where gas

is separated from produced hydrocarbons, whichever is farther

downstream, to an applicable end point described in paragraphs (1),

(2), or (3) below:

(1) The inlet of the first natural gas processing plant used to

remove liquefied petroleum gases or other natural gas liquids.

(2) If there is no natural gas processing plant, the point where

custody of the gas is transferred to others who transport it by

pipeline to:

(i) A distribution center;

(ii) A gas storage facility; or

(iii) an industrial consumer.

(3) If there is no natural gas processing plant or point where

custody of the gas is so transferred, the last point downstream

where gas produced in the same production field or two adjacent

production fields is commingled.

(4) A gathering line does not include any part of a pipeline

that transports gas downstream--

(i) From the end points in (1), (2), or (3) in this Section;

(ii) From a production facility, if no end point exists; or

(iii) In any interstate transmission facility subject to the

jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under the

Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717 et seq.).

Legislative Changes

There has been a legislative change in underlying Federal pipeline

safety laws since the NPRM was published on September 25, 1991. The

Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-508) enacted on October 24,

1992, provided that, in defining ``gathering line'' we should

[[Page 12148]]

consider the functional and operational characteristics of the line. We

are neither required to follow classifications established by FERC

under the Natural Gas Act of 1938 nor prevented from using them if we

choose. In addition, we are to prescribe standards defining the term

``regulated gathering line'' which may result in some regulation of

rural gathering lines. In determining the specific physical

characteristics which warrant regulation, we will consider factors

which include location, length of line from the well site, operating

pressure, throughput, and the composition of the transported gas.

Industry Recommendation

On September 28, 1998 we met with representatives of the Gas

Processors Association (GPA) a trade organization representing much of

the gas gathering industry. GPA suggested basing a definition of

gathering on pipeline function. GPA suggested the following:

``Gathering line'' means any pipeline or part of a connected

series of pipelines used to transport gas from a production source--

gas wells; gas well separators; oil well separators; flow lines;

and, dehydrators. The terminating end is either a single pipeline or

a network of pipelines that collects gas from production

facilities--and delivers the gas to facilities downstream from the

end of the gathering line. The end of gathering shall be the most

downstream location of the following:

(1) The inlet of a gas processing plant (notes: a gathering line

could split and feed two separate gas plants (in-parallel) a

gathering line would end at the first gas plant if the second plant

is downstream of the first. (In-series))

(2) Excluding well head compressors (usually low horsepower) the

outlet of the first compressor station located downstream of a

production facility-or-the outlet of the first onshore compressor

station downstream of an offshore gathering line.

(3) The outlet of the furthermost downstream: dehydration

equipment; treating equipment; scrubber station; that makes the gas

of suitable quality for residential consumption .

(4) The inlet to a storage facility; a FERC designated

transmission line; or other line transporting gas of suitable

quality for residential consumption.

If a gas plant exists, it is downstream of (2, 3, & 4). If (1, 2,

3) do not exist then the end of gathering is in effect a transmission

line or a storage facility. If a gas plant exists, it is downstream of

(2, 3, and 4). If (1, 2, 3) do not exist then the end of gathering is

in effect a transmission line or a storage facility.

The GPA also suggested defining ``gathering return line''.

Gathering return line: means a line that returns treated gas to

a production facility--or a field compressor--for: gas lift gas

injection fuel for production equipment. Non-rural gathering return

lines are not exempt from the requirements of 49 CFR 192. Rural

gathering returns lines are exempt from the requirements of 49 CFR

192. These lines usually operate with maximum operating pressure

less than 20% of the specified minimum yield strength do not service

the general public.

The GPA proposed definition differs from the definition we

presented in our 1991 NPRM in the focus on the function of the lines

without reference to the custody or ownership of the product in the

line.

Request for Participation

We are trying to change the fundamental relationship between the

regulator and the operating companies in protecting the public and the

environment. The purpose of this public discussion forum is to help

create an environment in which the regulated industry, state agencies

and other interested parties are encouraged to evaluate the issues and

to find the best, safest, most cost effective solutions to any safety

and environmental challenges raised by gas gathering.

Issued in Washington, D.C. on March 5, 1999.

Richard B. Felder,

Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety, Research and Special

Programs Administration.

[FR Doc. 99-6012 Filed 3-10-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-60-P