PHMSA’s new regulations will now cover more than 425,000 miles of gathering pipelines, designed to improve public safety, reduce threats to the physical environment, and promote environmental justice for minority populations, low-income populations, and other underserved and disadvantaged communities.
The gas gathering lines typically transport natural gas from production facilities to interstate gas transmission pipelines. Historically, these lines were exempt primarily due to the rural location, smaller diameter, and smaller pressure lines. The new rule, due to be effective on May 16, 2022, will require onshore gas gathering lines to begin filing incident reports and comprehensive annual reports. Some of the new requirements include:
• Corrosion control measures
• Damage prevention measures
• Public awareness programs
• Maximum allowable operating pressures
• Install and maintain mile markers
• Conduct leakage surveys
• Develop and implement emergency response plans