Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) transmitted a final rule to the Federal Register to enhance the safety of natural gas pipelines through updated leak detection and repair requirements. This is the final step in the rulemaking process prior to the Rule being made effective.

The rule issued by PHMSA updates decades-old leak detection rules to require pipeline operators to establish advanced leak detection programs aimed at detecting and repairing all gas leaks by:

• Increasing the frequency of required surveys and requiring use of commercially available advanced leak detection technology—such as aerial or vehicle surveys, handheld detection devices, and continuous monitoring systems.
• Reducing volume of gas released due to unintentional emissions such as leaks and equipment failures and revising the reporting minimum threshold to detect smaller leaks sooner.
• Minimizing releases caused by equipment venting or blowdowns, associated with pipeline maintenance, repair, and construction and encouraging operators to consider cost-effective equipment that can capture methane and other gases for later use.
• Establishing clear criteria and timeframes for timely repair of all leaks that pose a risk to public safety or the environment.

Moreover, PAPS notes, the new rules substantively impacts Operations Manuals by prescribing clear, codified actions relating to leak inspections, by increasing inspection frequency, by requiring more robust leak detection programs and with the inclusion of Type B and Type C Gas Gathering pipelines in these rules.

SEE DRAFT COPY OF RULE HERE (NOT YET PUBLISHED TO FEDERAL REGISTER AS OF 1/17/2025).

CALL PAPS TODAY AT 281.379.1130 OR VIA EMAIL AT [email protected] TO LEARN HOW PAPS CAN HELP!