When must covered pipeline segments subject to the rule be identified?
All High Consequence Areas (HCAs) must be identified as part of an operator s initial integrity management framework, which must be completed by December 17, 2004. OPS will expect to see the operator’s process for identifying HCAs described in the initial framework. The rule allows operators to use existing data on the density of buildings intended for human occupancy near the pipelines, pro-rating any potential impact circles larger than 660 feet in radius, until December 17, 2006. • FAQ-15. Many operators have pre-defined segments on their pipeline (e.g., the length of pipe between two compressor stations or between consecutive isolation valves is considered a segment). When OPS refers to segments in HCAs in the rule, in what context is the term segment used? [05/17/2004]Answer: As used in the rule “covered segment” means a continuous segment of pipeline located in an HCA. If the potential impact circle methodology is used to identify HCAs, then, at a minimum, the covered segment beg
