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Interpretation Response #PI-79-045 ([ARCO Oil & Gas Company] [Tom Schmld])

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date:

Company Name: ARCO Oil & Gas Company

Individual Name: Tom Schmld

Location State: TX Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

Mr. Tom Schmld

Environmental Engineer

ARCO Oil & Gas Company

South Texas District

P.O. Box 1346

Houston, Texas 77001

Dear Mr. Schmld:

Your letter dated September 24, 1979, to Mr. Robert F. Aubry, was forwarded to this office for reply. You requested an interpretation of section 195.1(b)(3) of 49 CFR Part 195.

You raised the question concerning the pressure to be used to determine whether a pipeline operates at a stress level at 20 percent or less of the specified minimum yield strength pressure are to be included in this determination.

Normal fluctuations are excluded from the determination of the operating pressure to be used to determine compliance with section 195.1(b)(3). The operating pressure intended for use in section 195.1(b)(3) is conceptually consistent with the " Maximum operating pressure as given in section 195.406, wherein surges and other variations from normal operations " are excepted in section 195.406(a).

You also raised the question concerning whether Part 195 is applicable only during the time a pipeline operates above the 20 percent stress level. Please be advised that Part 195 is
applicable all of the time if the pipeline operates above the 20 percent stress level only part of the time. Also, Part 195 applies to a pipeline that always operates at the 20 percent level or less if that pipeline is part of a carrier's overall pipeline system that is subject to Part 195.

Sincerely,

Cesar DeLeon

Associate Director for

Pipeline Safety Regulation

Materials Transportation Bureau

Regulation Sections