Has PHMSA taken any steps to require more rigorous standards for high strength steel to decrease the likelihood of low and variable strength steel in alternative MAOP pipelines?
PHMSA has sent letters to operators with pipelines operating under the alternative MAOP Rule requiring them to confirm the pipe strength in accordance with advisory bulletin ADB 09-01 and to remediate the pipeline in accordance with the Interim Guidelines for Confirming Pipe Strength in Pipe Susceptible to Low Yield Strength for Gas Pipelines September 10, 2009 which can accessed online at the following URL. [http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/regs]. PHMSA has met with the American Petroleum Institute (API) 5L pipe committee concerning more rigorous standards for steel plate/coil and pipe rolling.
