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Natural Gas Pipeline Safety: Risk-Based Standards Should Allow Operators to Better Tailor Reassessments to Pipeline Threats

GAO-06-945 Published: Sep 08, 2006. Publicly Released: Sep 08, 2006.
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Highlights

The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 requires that operators (1) assess gas transmission pipeline segments in about 20,000 miles of highly populated or frequently used areas by 2012 for safety threats, such as incorrect operation and corrosion (called baseline assessments), (2) remedy defects, and (3) reassess these segments at least every 7 years. Under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) regulations, operators must reassess their pipeline segments for corrosion at least every 7 years and for all safety threats at least every 10, 15, or 20 years, based on industry consensus standards--and more frequently if conditions warrant. Operators must also carry out other prevention and mitigation measures. To meet a requirement in the 2002 act, this study addresses how the results of baseline assessments and other information inform us on the need to reassess gas transmission pipelines every 7 years and whether inspection services and tools are likely to be available to do so, among other things. In conducting its work, GAO contacted 52 operators that have carried out about two-thirds of the baseline assessments conducted to date.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter Status Comments
To better align reassessments with safety risks, the Congress may wish to consider amending section 14 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 to permit pipeline operators to reassess their gas transmission pipeline segments at intervals based on technical data, risk factors, and engineering analyses. Such a revision would allow PHMSA to establish maximum reassessment intervals, and to require shorter reassessment intervals as conditions warrant.
Closed – Not Implemented
In reauthorizing pipeline safety programs in 2006 (P.L. 109-468), the Congress did not, as we suggested, change existing law to permit pipeline operators to reassess their pipeline segments for safety based on technical data, risk factors, and engineering analyses rather than adhering to the prescribed (at least every 7 years) reassessment schedule. This reauthorization extends through fiscal year 2010.

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Topics

CorrosionFederal lawGas pipeline operationsProgram evaluationRisk assessmentSafety regulationSafety standardsStrategic planningPipeline operationsNatural gas