[Federal Register: May 27, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 102)] [Notices] [Page 28867-28868] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr27my99-123] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Research and Special Programs Administration [Docket No. RSPA-99-5442; Notice 1] Chevron Pipe Line Company; Petition for Waiver AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Chevron Pipe Line Company (CPL) has petitioned the Research and Special Programs Administration for a waiver from compliance with 49 CFR 19.612(b)(3), which requires that gas pipeline facilities in the Gulf of Mexico found to be exposed on the seabed or constituting a hazard to navigation be reburied so that the top of the pipe is 36 inches below the seabed for normal excavation or 18 inches for rock excavation. DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 28, 1999. ADDRESSES: Comments should identify the docket number of this notice, RSPA-99-5442; Notice 1, and be mailed to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Plaza 401, Washington, DC 20590-0001. You should submit the original and one copy. If you wish to receive confirmation of receipt of your comments, you must include a stamped, self-addressed postcard. All comments and docket material may be viewed in the Dockets Facility. You may contact the Dockets Facility at (800) 647-5527, for copies of this notice or other material that is referenced herein. The Dockets Facility is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. You may submit comments to the docket electronically. To do so, log on to their Web Site: http://dms.dot.gov. Click on Help & Information to obtain instructions for filing a document electronically. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L.E. Herrick by telephone at 202-366- 5523, by fax at 202-366-4566, by mail at U.S. Department of Transportation, RSPA, DPS-10, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590, or via e-mail to le.herrick@rspa.dot.gov regarding the subject matter of this notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On October 10, 1998, Chevron Pipeline Company (CPL) performed a shallow water, side-scan sonar survey of the various pipelines within the path of Hurricane Georges. The survey revealed exposed sections on both the 16-inch and 12-inch pipelines of the Chandeleur Block 15 (east of the Chandeleur Islands). Approximately 1400 feet of the 16-inch pipeline and 1300 feet of the 12-inch pipeline was exposed in shallow waters as the distance increased from the islands. The sea bottom material in this area is sugar sand with shoal like conditions. CPL Marked the exposed pipe in accordance with 49 CFR 192.612 and 33 CFR 64. Another survey of the exposed pipelines was performed on January 17, 1999, to determine if natural spoil was building at these areas and to determine if other areas that were closer to the islands had become exposed. Upon receipt of the new data, CPL discovered that some exposed areas had gained natural cover, while other areas had lost cover. Another 450 foot section of the 16-inch pipeline was found to be exposed in shallow water close to the islands. Regulatory Requirements After an exposed pipeline has been discovered, the owner must clearly mark the pipeline in accordance with 49 CFR 192.612. The operator has six months to cover the pipeline so that the top of the pipe is 36 inches below the seabed for normal excavation or 18 inches for rock excavation. The exposed CPL pipelines are required to have 36 inches of cover. CPL stated reasons for not covering the pipeline with natural cover to comply with 192.612(b)(3): (1) The exposed pipelines are high pressure gas lines (normal operating pressure of 650-700 psi.) connecting Chevron's Main Pass 41 and Mobile Bay gas fields with the Chevron Pascagoula refinery. These pipelines are the main source of fuel gas for the refinery, as being the only outlet for natural gas produced on the various offshore platforms. When performing burial and line lowering operations, CPL's safety programs specifies that the pressure must be lowered to less than 150 psi in the pipeline. This is necessary for safe placement of the jetting sled equipment on the exposed pipelines and for safe [[Page 28868]] reburial of the exposed pipelines. CPL asserts that the required pressure reduction is not feasible because the refinery and natural gas wells would have to be closed down during the jetting operations. (2) In addition, the mechanical jet sled must be towed across the pipeline. The vessels used to tow the sled have a greater draft than the water depth in the shallower exposure areas. Uncertain wind and sea conditions could shut down the jetting operation and result in uncontrollable delays. (3) In order to safely lower the exposed sections of line, bottom material will be disturbed well beyond the actual exposed area of the pipeline in a lateral direction to avoid subjecting the pipe to abnormal stress. Because the vessels used to tow the mechanical jet sled draft more water than is available in much of this area, there could be adverse environmental impact to the surrounding area. Request for Waiver CPL has proposed to install concrete mesh blanket units to protect the pipeline from damage in lieu of the 36 inches of cover required by [192.612(b)(3)]. Each concrete mesh blanket unit is a 20-foot by 8-foot by 9-inch section constructed from 160 individually cast 17-inch by 17- inch by 9-inch beveled concrete briquettes inter-connected with \3/4\- inch polypropylene UV stabilized line. We propose to grant the waiver with the provision that CPL also install a rock shield over the pipeline before installation of the blanket. The rock shield must be of at least 3/8-inches of thickness constructed of an appropriate material. With the addition of the rock shield we believe there is no reason to anticipate a lesser level of safety than would be achieved by a 36-inch pipeline burial. With these conditions, it appears that the requested waiver of compliance with 192.612(c)(3) would not be inconsistent with pipeline safety. We propose to grant the waiver. Interested parties are invited to comment on the proposed waiver by submitting, in duplicate, data, views, or arguments relevant to the proposed grant of waiver. We specifically request comments on the adequacy of the proposed concrete mat to reduce the hazard to navigation posed by the exposed pipeline and on any impact the mat may have on fishing vessel operations. Comments should identify the Docket and Notice numbers, and be submitted to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Plaza 401, Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received on or before, June 28, 1999 will be considered before final action is taken. Late filed comments will be considered so far as practicable. No public hearing is contemplated, but one may be held at a time and place to be set in a Notice in the Federal Register if requested by an interested person desiring to comment at a public hearing and raising a genuine issue. (Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60118(c); 49 CFR 1.53) Issued in Washington, DC, May 21, 1999. Richard B. Felder, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 99-13448 Filed 5-26-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P