Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-1-8-.03

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 400-1-8-.03 - Gathering Lines

(1) Applicability.

(a) All intrastate gathering lines, located in a rural location, must be designed, installed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with generally accepted industry standards.

(b) Any modification, replacement, relocation, or other change in an intrastate gathering line, located in a rural location shall be made in accordance with generally accepted industry standards. Repairs that do not alter the accuracy of the information previously submitted and approved under section (2) are not subject to this part.

(c) Flowlines and transmission lines, as defined in Rule 400-1-1-.05, relating to Definitions, shall not be subject to this rule.

(d) Exemptions to sections (2) through (4) may be obtained if operational conditions of the line satisfy the qualifications listed in section (6) of this rule.

(e) Variances to or waivers from the specifications of parts of this rule may be granted by the Supervisor as set forth in section.

(2) Approval Procedures. Prior to the construction and operation of a gathering line, approval must be obtained from the Supervisor. Application for permission to construct and operate a gathering line shall be considered as a two-step process. An operator seeking the Supervisor's approval for the construction and operation of a gathering line shall submit the following:

(a) Step 1. Prior to installing any gathering line, the operator shall submit to the Supervisor information pertaining to the design of the line including the following when applicable:

1. Location, route and length of line;

2. Line pipe specifications to include size, weight, grade, wall thickness, and coating;

3. Maximum allowable operating pressure of pipeline and calculations used in its determination;

4. Maximum throughput capacity of pipeline at design conditions;

5. Generalized construction drawings;

6. Types of corrosion protection;

7. Burial depths of line;

8. Pressure test procedures to which the line will be tested prior to operation;

9. Location and type of safety and pollution control equipment;

10. Line marking method and procedures; and

11. Additional information when required by the Supervisor.

(b) Step 2. Prior to initiating operation of said gathering line, the operator shall submit to the Supervisor for approval the following information:

1. Method, documentation, and results of pressure test;

2. Frequency, method of inspection, documentation, and record maintenance of a pipeline inspection program;

3. The following certification signed and dated with the title of the company representative:

"(Operator) certifies that the (Gathering Line) has been designed and installed in accordance with accepted industry standards and procedures and that future modifications will be performed by qualified personnel."

4. Any modification to a gathering line shall be submitted to and approved by the Supervisor prior to making such modification. Such operations may include, but not be limited to, the addition of a source or incoming side stream, increasing the pressure or capacity, or any modification that will alter the accuracy of the information previously submitted. Prior to placing the line back into service, the operator shall recertify the gathering line;

5. Additional information when required by the Supervisor.

(3) Construction. Each gathering line must be constructed in accordance with the written specifications submitted to and approved by the Supervisor as defined in section (2).

(4) Compressor Stations. A location map and generalized process and flow diagrams of each compressor station, including working pressure ranges, safety equipment, and ancillary equipment shall be submitted to the Supervisor prior to the installation of the facility.

(5) Maintenance and Abandonment.

(a) All gathering lines and right of ways shall be maintained and operated in safe manner and in accordance with this rule.

(b) Each gathering line abandoned in place must be disconnected from all sources and supplies of hydrocarbons and purged with water or inert materials.

(c) Plans to abandon sour gas gathering lines in place shall be submitted to the Supervisor for approval.

(6) Notice of Activities.

(a) The operator shall provide at least twenty-four-(24) hour notice to the Supervisor prior to initiation of any gathering line construction operation. The Supervisor may send a duly authorized representative to the location to witness the joining of pipe, covering of pipe, and the pressure testing of the gathering line.

(b) Remedial action to repair or replace damaged gathering lines may be performed as needed. The Supervisor should be notified as soon as possible.

(7) Additional Requirements. In addition to this rule, the design, construction, and operation of gathering lines transporting hydrocarbons that contain hydrogen sulfide concentrations equal to or greater than one hundred (100) parts per million (ppm) in the system must comply with the requirements as set forth in Rule 400-1-9-.02, relating to Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide.

(8) Exemptions. The following operations are exempted from submitting the information listed in section (2):

(a) Any gathering line classified as an interstate line or a line that is under the jurisdiction of the Alabama Public Service Commission.

(b) Other operations may be granted exemptions by the Supervisor upon written request and justification by the operator.

(9) Variances. Upon written request, variances may be granted by the Supervisor upon showing a good cause by the operator.

(a) The Supervisor may waive the requirements for submitting the information contained in Step 1, if the operator has prefiled said information as standard company policy.

(b) The Supervisor may waive the requirements for submitting the information contained in Step 1 and Step 2, except pressure test results, for unitized operations, provided the operator has prefiled said information as standard company policy.

Author: State Oil and Gas Board

Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-1-8-.03

Filed January 17, 1989. Amended: Filed January 8, 1992. Repealed and New Rule: Filed April 11, 2000; effective May 16, 2000.

Previous Chapter 400-1-8 (Rules 400-1-8-.01 through 400-1-8-.04) Repealed and New Chapter (Rules 400-1-8-.01 through 400-1-8-.03) adopted in lieu thereof: Filed April 11, 2000.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-17-1, etseq.