Interpretation Response #PI-86-006 ([Mid-America Pipeline Co.] [R. E. Penderson])
Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.
Interpretation Response Details
Response Publish Date:
Company Name: Mid-America Pipeline Co.
Individual Name: R. E. Penderson
Location State: OK Country: US
View the Interpretation Document
Response text:
Mr. R. E. Penderson
Manager Engineering
Mid-America Pipeline Co.
1800 South Baltimore Ave.
Post Office Box 645
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101-0645
Dear Mr. Penderson:
Your letter of July 16, 1986, requests that we amend Part 195 to permit the use of encirclement sleeves as a repair method for defective welds in operating pipelines. Your letter indicates that ANSI B31.4 permits their use as an acceptable repair method in either maintenance or construction.
The regulation governing the repair of hazardous liquid pipelines in operation is §195.422. This regulation does not disallow the use of encirclement sleeves to repair defects in operating pipelines, including weld defects.
Part 195 does not, however, permit the use of encirclement sleeves to repair weld defects discovered during construction. These defects must be removed or repaired in accordance with the requirements of §195.230.
In our view, ANSI B31.4 does not differ from Part 195 regarding the permissibility of using encirclement sleeves to repair weld defects. Their use is permitted by section 451.6 as an allowable repair method for weld defects in operating pipelines, but not weld defects in pipelines under construction. These latter weld defects are required by section 434.8.7(b) to be repaired according to API Standard 1104, which in section 7 sets forth specific weld removal and repair standards that do not include the use of encirclement sleeves.
Since Part 195 does not prohibit the use of encirclement sleeves to repair weld defects in operating pipelines, there is no need for an amendment to permit such usage. Also, since the B31.4 code does not permit the use of sleeves for weld repair during construction, there does not appear to be an adequate basis for changing Part 195 to permit their use in this respect.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Paullin
Director
Regulation Sections
| Section | Subject |
|---|---|
| 195.422 | Pipeline repairs |