CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

Mr. Carnie R. Block, Vice-President
Chevron USA, Inc.
4900 California Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93309
RE: CPF No. 58010

Dear Mr. Block:

Enclosed is the Final Order issued by the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety in the above-referenced case. It makes findings of violations and requires certain corrective action. Your receipt of the Final Order constitutes service of that document under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5. The Final Order has been reviewed to determine compliance with the terms therein. All actions required in the Proposed Compliance Order have been completed. Based on the recommendation of the Director, Western Region, this case is now closed and no further enforcement action is contemplated with the respect to the matters involved in this case. Thank you for your cooperation in our joint effort to ensure pipeline safety.

Sincerely,

Gwendolyn M. Hill
Pipeline Compliance Registry
Office of Pipeline Safety

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, DC 20590

CPF No. 58010

FINAL ORDER

On June 1, 1998, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60117, a representative of the Western Region, Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) conducted an on-site pipeline safety inspection of Respondent's facilities and records in Bakersfield, California. As a result of the inspection, the Director, Western Region, OPS, issued to Respondent, by letter dated August 3, 1998, a Notice of Probable Violation and Proposed Compliance Order. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. §190.207, the Notice proposed finding that Respondent had committed violations of 49 C.F.R. §§192.14 and 192.731. The Notice also proposed that Respondent take certain measures to correct the alleged violations.

In a letter dated September 2, 1998, Respondent submitted a Response to the Notice. Respondent did not contest the allegations of violation but provided information concerning the corrective actions it has taken. Respondent did not request a hearing and therefore, has waived its right to one.

FINDINGS OF VIOLATION

Respondent did not contest alleged violations § 192.14 and 192.731 in the Notice. Accordingly, I find that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. Part 192, as more fully described in the Notice:

• 49 C.F.R. §192.14 - failing to maintain historical, operational, or maintenance records of its pipeline system
• 49 C.F.R. §192.731 - failing to maintain records for over pressure and relief set points and failing to maintain records that these protective devices have been inspected and tested;

These findings of violation will be considered prior offenses in any subsequent enforcement action taken against Respondent.

COMPLIANCE ORDER

The Notice proposed a compliance order. Respondent has submitted procedures and a schedule to convert the subject gathering lines within city limits to jurisdictional gathering lines status as required by §192.14. Respondent has informed the Western Region, OPS that it has established a process to obtain records from Texaco and Occidental compressor stations to show annual maintenance, testing, and repair of its over pressure and relief devices.

The Director, Western Region, OPS has accepted these measures as adequately fulfilling the requirements of the regulations and no further action is needed with respect to a compliance order.

Under 49 C.F.R. § 190.215, Respondent has a right to petition for reconsideration of this Final Order. The petition must be received within 20 days of Respondent's receipt of this Final Order and must contain a brief statement of the issue(s). The filing of the petition automatically stays the payment of any civil penalty assessed. All other terms of the order, including any required corrective action, shall remain in full effect unless the Associate Administrator, upon request, grants a stay. The terms and conditions of this Final Order are effective upon receipt.

Stacey Gerard Date Issued
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety

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