16 Tex. Admin. Code § 8.206 - Risk-Based Leak Survey Program
(a)
This section applies to each operator of a gas distribution system that is
subject to the requirements of 49 CFR Part 192.
(b) Each operator shall have either a
prescriptive or a risk-based program for leak surveys for its pipeline systems
that complies with the requirements of this section. Such program shall require
a designation on a system by system basis or by segments within each system
whether the operator has chosen to use the risk based leak survey program that
complies with the requirements of subsections (c) through (f) of this section
or the prescriptive leak survey program that complies with the requirements of
subsection (g) of this section.
(c)
Each operator shall create a risk model on which to base its leak survey
program to identify those systems or segments within systems that pose the
greatest hazard and thus will be inspected for leaks more frequently. The risk
model shall identify risk factors and determine the degree of hazard associated
with those risk factors. The operator shall establish the leak survey frequency
based on the degree of hazard for each system or segment within a
system.
(d) Each operator shall
periodically re-evaluate each pipeline system or system segment and update its
leak survey inspection program to address any changes that may be identified
through the monitoring of the pipeline system in accordance with the
requirements imposed by
49 CFR §
192.613 (relating to Continuing
Surveillance). Each operator shall not less than every three years at intervals
not exceeding 39 months review its leak survey inspection program. Each
operator shall review its leak survey inspection program within 30 days in the
following circumstances:
(1) to add a new
system or segment being put into operation; or
(2) if, for any system or segment, there has
been a ten percent increase in the number of leaks being upgraded or a ten
percent increase in the number of unrepaired leaks.
(e) Based on the particular circumstances and
conditions, an increased frequency beyond that required by
49 CFR §
192.723 (b)(1) and (2), may be warranted.
Surveys should be conducted more frequently in those areas with the greatest
potential for leakage and where leakage could be expected to create a hazard.
Each operator should consider the following factors in establishing an
increased frequency of leakage surveys:
(1)
pipe location, which means proximity to buildings or other structures and the
type and use of the buildings and proximity to areas of concentrations of
people;
(2) composition and nature
of the piping system, which means the age of the pipe, materials, type of
facilities, operating pressures, leak history records, and other
studies;
(3) the corrosion history
of the pipeline, which means known areas of significant corrosion or areas
where corrosive environments are known to exist, cased crossings of roads,
highways, railroads, or other similar locations where there is susceptibility
to unique corrosive conditions;
(4)
environmental factors that affect gas migration, which means conditions that
could increase the potential for leakage or cause leaking gas to migrate to an
area where it could create a hazard, such as extreme weather conditions or
events (significant amounts or extended periods of rainfall, extended periods
of drought, unusual or prolonged freezing weather, hurricanes, etc.),
particular soil conditions, unstable soil or areas subject to earth movement,
subsidence, or extensive growth of tree roots around pipeline facilities that
can exert substantial longitudinal force on the pipe and nearby joints;
and
(5) any other condition known
to the operator that has significant potential to initiate a leak or to permit
leaking gas to migrate to an area where it could result in a hazard, which
could include construction activity near the pipeline, wall-to-wall pavement,
trenchless excavation activities (e.g., boring), blasting, large earth-moving
equipment, heavy traffic, increase in operating pressure, and other similar
activities or conditions.
(f) The assignment of inspection priorities
is based on the degree of hazard associated with the risk factors assigned to
the pipeline system or segments within a system. The determination of leak
survey frequency is determined by classifying each pipeline segment based on
its degree of hazard associated with each risk factor. Each operator shall
establish its own risk ranking for pipeline segments to determine the frequency
of leakage surveys. Based on a ranking from high to low, each operator shall
schedule leak inspections for a given pipeline system or segment within a
system on a time interval necessary to address the risks. The time interval may
range from quarterly to every five years.
(g) Operators electing to use a prescriptive
leak survey program shall conduct leak surveys no less frequently than:
(1) Once each calendar year at intervals not
exceeding 15 months for all systems within a business district;
(2) every five calendar years at intervals
not exceeding 63 months for non-business district polyethylene systems or
segments within a system;
(3) every
three calendar years at intervals not exceeding 39 months for all other
non-business district cathodically protected steel systems or segments within a
system; and
(4) every two calendar
years at intervals not exceeding 27 months for all other non-business district
systems or segments within a system.
Notes
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