Date

February 2, 2018

Purpose

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is issuing this Alert Notice to highlight various regulatory requirements that should be reviewed by all pipeline operators.

Applicable Codes 

1. 49 CFR §192.703 – Maintenance: General 
2. 49 CFR §192.727 – Abandonment or deactivation of facilities.
3. 49 CFR §192.747 – Valve maintenance: Distribution systems.

Scope

This Alert Notice applies to all Minnesota intrastate natural gas and propane pipeline operators

Operators should review their operations and maintenance procedures, processes, recordkeeping, and operator qualifications training to ensure:

1. Activities such as the moving of gas meters includes coordination between individuals working on customer piping and those working on jurisdictional piping and equipment.
   1. Only trained and operator qualified individuals, including contractors and/or subcontractors, will make any changes or adjustments to jurisdictional assets. Include provisions regarding the communication of this requirement.
   2. Individuals working on customer piping understand the delineation between customer-owned piping and jurisdictional piping and what work they are allowed to perform on each.
   3. Piping within structures is properly and safely purged of gas when work takes place. Steps should be taken to ensure that gas is purged outside of the structures in an area free from ignition sources.
   4. Individuals working on customer piping understand the project schedule, safe practices, safety back-up plan, what to do if they encounter abnormal operating conditions, and what to do in emergencies.
2. Pipeline abandonment or deactivation procedures include provisions ensuring procedures are followed and coordinated with contractors as necessary (disconnect, lock out / tag out, etc.). When the flow of gas to the customer is not needed, ensure steps are taken to isolate or deactivate the gas supply.
3. Distribution valves in their system, including service line valves, are reviewed and valves necessary for safe operation are designated. Valves necessary for safe operation may include valves in addition to an operator’s currently designated “emergency valves.” Operators must perform maintenance as required by applicable regulations.

Operators should ensure that valves, valve handles and position indicators are installed, maintained, and installed per applicable regulations, manufacturer recommendations and operator operations and maintenance procedures.

Operators shall ensure that manuals are revised as necessary, and any operation or maintenance activities are performed as required. OPS will be incorporating this Alert Notice into its inspections.

Please contact this office if you have any questions regarding this notice.