This notice proposes to allow some exception to the requirements to nondestructively test 100 percent of the girth welds in certain onshore locations. In cases where testing 100 percent is
impracticable, testing less than 100 percent would be allowed-so long as at least 90 percent is tested. An operator who wishes to avail itself of the "90 percent testing" rule must determine
that, under the circumstances, nondestructive testing is impracticable for each girth weld not tested. The existing requirements are too burdensome and without a commensurate safety benefit.