Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024
Section V-30588 - What standards apply to direct assessment? [49 CFR 195.588]A. If you use direct assessment on an onshore pipeline to evaluate the effects of external corrosion, you must follow the requirements of this Section for performing external corrosion direct assessment. This Section does not apply to methods associated with direct assessment, such as close interval surveys, voltage gradient surveys, or examination of exposed pipelines, when used separately from the direct assessment process. [ 49 CFR 195.588(a)] B. The requirements for performing external corrosion direct assessment are as follows. [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)] 1. General. You must follow the requirements of NACE SP0502 (incorporated by reference, see §30107). Also, you must develop and implement an external corrosion direct assessment (ECDA) plan that includes procedures addressing pre-assessment, indirect examination, direct examination, and post-assessment. [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(1)] 2. Pre-Assessment. In addition to the requirements in section 3 of NACE SP0502 (incorporated by reference, see §30107), the ECDA plan procedures for pre-assessment must include: [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(2)] a. provisions for applying more restrictive criteria when conducting ECDA for the first time on a pipeline segment; [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(2)(i)] b. the basis on which you select at least two different, but complementary, indirect assessment tools to assess each ECDA region; and [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(2)(ii) ]c. if you utilize an indirect inspection method not described in appendix A of NACE Standard SP0502 (incorporated by reference, see §30107), you must demonstrate the applicability, validation basis, equipment used, application procedure, and utilization of data for the inspection method. [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(2)(iii) ]3. Indirect examination. In addition to the requirements in Section 4 of NACE SP0502 (incorporated by reference, see §30107), the procedures for indirect examination of the ECDA regions must include: [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(3)] a. provisions for applying more restrictive criteria when conducting ECDA for the first time on a pipeline segment; [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(3)(i)] b. criteria for identifying and documenting those indications that must be considered for excavation and direct examination, including at least the following: [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(3)(ii)] i. the known sensitivities of assessment tools; [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(3)(ii)(A) ]ii. the procedures for using each tool; and [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(3)(ii)(B) ]iii. the approach to be used for decreasing the physical spacing of indirect assessment tool readings when the presence of a defect is suspected; [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(3)(ii)(C) ]c. for each indication identified during the indirect examination, criteria for: [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(3)(iii)] : i. defining the urgency of excavation and direct examination of the indication; and [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(3)(iii)(A) ]ii. defining the excavation urgency as immediate, scheduled, or monitored; and [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(3)(iii)(B) ]d. criteria for scheduling excavations of indications in each urgency level. [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(3)(iv) ]4. Direct Examination. In addition to the requirements in section 5 of NACE SP0502 (incorporated by reference, see §30107), the procedures for direct examination of indications from the indirect examination must include: [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(4)] a. provisions for applying more restrictive criteria when conducting ECDA for the first time on a pipeline segment; [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(4)(i)] b. criteria for deciding what action should be taken if either: [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(4)(ii)] i. corrosion defects are discovered that exceed allowable limits (section 5.5 2.2 of NACE SP0502 (incorporated by reference, see §30107), provides guidance for criteria); or [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(4)(ii)(A) ]ii. root cause analysis reveals conditions for which ECDA is not suitable (section 5.6 2 of NACE SP0502 (incorporated by reference, see §30107), provides guidance for criteria); [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(4)(ii)(B) ]c. criteria and notification procedures for any changes in the ECDA plan, including changes that affect the severity classification, the priority of direct examination, and the time frame for direct examination of indications; and [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(4)(iii) ]d. criteria that describe how and on what basis you will reclassify and re-prioritize any of the provisions specified in section 5.9 of NACE SP0502 (incorporated by reference, see §30107). [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(4)(iv) ]5. Post Assessment and Continuing Evaluation. In addition to the requirements in section 6 of NACE SP0502 (incorporated by reference, see §30107), the procedures for post assessment of the effectiveness of the ECDA process must include: [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(5)] a. measures for evaluating the long-term effectiveness of ECDA in addressing external corrosion in pipeline segments; and [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(5)(i)] b. criteria for evaluating whether conditions discovered by direct examination of indications in each ECDA region indicate a need for reassessment of the pipeline segment at an interval less than that specified in sections 6.2 of NACE SP0502 (see appendix D of NACE SP0502) (incorporated by reference, see §30107). [ 49 CFR 195.588(b)(5)(ii) ]C. If you use direct assessment on an onshore pipeline to evaluate the effects of stress corrosion cracking, you must develop and follow a Stress Corrosion Cracking Direct Assessment plan that meets all requirements and recommendations of NACE SP0204-2008 (incorporated by reference, see § 30107) and that implements all four steps of the Stress Corrosion Cracking Direct Assessment process including pre- assessment, indirect inspection, detailed examination and post- assessment. As specified in NACE SP0204-2008, Section 1.1 7, Stress Corrosion Cracking Direct Assessment is complementary with other inspection methods such as in-line inspection or hydrostatic testing and is not necessarily an alternative or replacement for these methods in all instances. In addition, the plan must provide for: [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)] 1. data gathering and integration. An operator's plan must provide for a systematic process to collect and evaluate data to identify whether the conditions for stress corrosion cracking are present and to prioritize the segments for assessment in accordance with NACE SP0204- 2008, Sections 3 and 4, and Table 1. This process must also include gathering and evaluating data related to SCC at all sites an operator excavates during the conduct of its pipeline operations (both within and outside covered segments) where the criteria in NACE SP0204-2008 indicate the potential for Stress Corrosion Cracking Direct Assessment. This data gathering process must be conducted in accordance with NACE SP0204-2008, Section 5 3, and must include, at a minimum, all data listed in NACE SP0204-2008, Table 2. Further, an operator must analyze the following factors as part of this evaluation: [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(1)] a. the effects of a carbonate-bicarbonate environment, including the implications of any factors that promote the production of a carbonate-bicarbonate environment such as soil temperature, moisture, factors that affect the rate of carbon dioxide generation, and/or cathodic protection; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(1)(i)] b. the effects of cyclic loading conditions on the susceptibility and propagation of SCC in both high-pH and near-neutral-pH environments; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(1)(ii) ]c. the effects of variations in applied cathodic protection such as overprotection, cathodic protection loss for extended periods, and high negative potentials; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(1)(iii) ]d. the effects of coatings that shield cathodic protection when disbonded from the pipe; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(1)(iv) ]e. other factors that affect the mechanistic properties associated with SCC including but not limited to operating pressures, high tensile residual stresses, and the presence of sulfides; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(1)(v) ]2. indirect inspection. In addition to the requirements and recommendations of NACE SP0204-2008, Section 4, the plan's procedures for indirect inspection must include provisions for conducting at least two different, but complementary, indirect assessment electrical surveys, and the basis on the selections as the most appropriate for the pipeline segment based on the data gathering and integration step; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(2)] 3. direct examination. In addition to the requirements and recommendations of NACE SP0204-2008, section 5, the plan's procedures for direct examination must provide for conducting a minimum of four direct examinations within the SCC segment at locations determined to be the most likely for SCC to occur; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(3)] 4. remediation and mitigation. If any indication of SCC is discovered in a segment, an operator must mitigate the threat in accordance with one of the following applicable methods: [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(4)] a. non-significant SCC, as defined by NACE SP0204-2008, may be mitigated by either hydrostatic testing in accordance with Subparagraph B.4.ii of this Section, or by grinding out with verification by Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) methods that the SCC defect is removed and repairing the pipe. If grinding is used for repair, the remaining strength of the pipe at the repair location must be determined using ASME/ANSI B31G or RSTRENG (incorporated by reference, see §30107) and must be sufficient to meet the design requirements of Subpart C of this Part; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(4)(i)] b. significant SCC must be mitigated using a hydrostatic testing program with a minimum test pressure between 100 percent up to 110 percent of the specified minimum yield strength for a 30-minute spike test immediately followed by a pressure test in accordance with Subpart E of this Part. The test pressure for the entire sequence must be continuously maintained for at least 8 hours, in accordance with subpart E of this part. Any test failures due to SCC must be repaired by replacement of the pipe segment, and the segment retested until the pipe passes the complete test without leakage. Pipe segments that have SCC present, but that pass the pressure test, may be repaired by grinding in accordance with Subparagraph C.4.i of this Section; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(4)(ii) ]5. Post assessment. In addition to the requirements and recommendations of NACE SP0204-2008, sections 6 3, periodic reassessment, and 6.4, effectiveness of Stress Corrosion Cracking Direct Assessment, the plan's procedures for post assessment must include development of a reassessment plan based on the susceptibility of the operator's pipe to Stress Corrosion Cracking as well as on the behavior mechanism of identified cracking. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to: [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(5)] a. evaluation of discovered crack clusters during the direct examination step in accordance with NACE SP0204-2008, sections 5.3.5.7 4, and 5.5; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(5)(i)] b. conditions conducive to creation of the carbonate-bicarbonate environment; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(5)(ii) ]c. conditions in the application (or loss) of cathodic protection that can create or exacerbate SCC; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(5)(iii) ]d. operating temperature and pressure conditions; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(5)(iv) ]e. cyclic loading conditions; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(5)(v)] f. conditions that influence crack initiation and growth rates; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(51)(vi) ]g. the effects of interacting crack clusters; [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(5)(vii) ]h. the presence of sulfides; and [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(5) (viii)]i. conditions conducive to creation of the carbonate-bicarbonate environment. [ 49 CFR 195.588(c)(5)(ix) ]La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § V-30588
Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, Pipeline Division, LR 33:472 (March 2007), amended LR 35:2799 (December 2009), LR 38:108 (January 2012), Amended LR 441030 (6/1/2018).AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:703.