Frequently-Asked Question FAQ #34

FAQ-34: Completion Date of an Assessment

Question: For purposes of establishing the deadlines for completing baseline assessments, what is the date on which an assessment is considered complete?

Answer: The date on which an assessment is considered complete will be the date on which final field activities related to that assessment are performed, not including repair activities for in-line inspection tool runs and direct assessments. This would be when a hydrostatic test is completed, when the last in-line inspection tool run of a scheduled series of tool runs is performed, when the last direct examination associated with direct assessment is made or the date on which field activities associated with "other technology" for which an operator has provided timely notification are conducted. Evaluation of the assessment results, integration of other information, and repair of anomalies must still be performed in accordance with the requirements established for these activities in the rule. These activities are considered to occur after the completion of the "assessment".

In those rare instances in which only a partial assessment is performed (e.g., in-line inspection system loss of power results in loss of data near the end of a pig run) operators will be expected to evaluate the results that were obtained within 180 days of the early termination, in accordance with 192.933(b). If however, the quality of the partial data is suspect and an entire rerun is to be performed, then the evaluation will be expected within 180 days after the successful rerun.