WPCu)  u㇨㎫3@X: nEĪ r("h'vG@yȻ*?Qy9V DUB47,@m6ӻ7U>I:sP})Y@5l@o5؍^rPW(Z| 뤵d/LBph7 |Dk%~zwεFYsxcjّ>F1=8nryN_?,8tf N?F(ڰpzC%EFe5V"q$2DTRXtjfl&wS(2X=jyS`9(/Yrϓw~ө;vJg-f cb&Gq#˾ \h=qUܲ5({{.%vi-a5#Rp0T)iq{3"6#!UN %c 0(i^ w^4 m N7 0l9 0 E 1UFwNQ NS U:U   %| 1u 0 dC 1 1D B 0B 0x 1 1o 1 ! 1! 1F" 0" 0o# 0$ 0$ 0% 0g& 1W'M'N-)-)UF/)\\PRTSRV03\23355SI,,,,,,0(/ Z6Times New Roman RegularX($2A'>E?@[AUBUCUDUEUFDGHUIJUKL:N&>3|xL&U((3$ !      0  (9$  12  (CEMU]emu}AutoList1(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)< ,9Z .Courier New Regular   $    1    _ XXThemaincontributortothelengthoftimetoisolatethefailedsectionwasthattheupstreamvalveclosest  totherupture(about2000feetaway)reliedonpipelinegaspressuretopowerthevalveactuatortoclosethevalveandthepipelinepressurewasinsufficientforthetaskduetotherupture.Thevalvelackedredundantpower,suchasbottlesofcompressedgas,tooperatethevalveactuatortoclosethevalve.Thisvalvecouldnotbeclosedmanuallybecauseofdifferentialpressureacrossthevalvemadehandwheelturningdifficultandthenumberofrevolutionstoclose(700750)wasexcessive.Whenthisvalvecouldnotbemanuallyclosed,thenextclosestvalvewasclosed.Ittookconsiderablytimetoreachthenextclosestvalvebecauseoftraffic.<  9`("Courier 10cpi  $    3    _ XXhttp://dms.dot.gov   $    5    _ XXAsaresultofthepipelinefailureinEdison,NJonMarch23,1994 (2) ,theNewJerseyBoardofPublic  Utilities(BPU)adoptedanewsetofrulescoveringtheinstallation,operation,andmaintenanceofintrastatenaturalgaspipelinesinthestateofNewJersey.TheserulesbecameeffectiveMarch17,1997.OneofthenewBPUrulesrequireseachoperatortosubmitaSectionalizingValveAssessmentandEmergencyClosingPlanforsectionalizingvalvesinclass3andclass4locations C .Allvalvesinclass3andclass4locationsaretobeevaluatedandprioritizedastotheneedforinstallationorretrofittingofaRCVorautomaticallycontrolledvalve(ACV).Eachplanistoincludetrainingofappropriatepersonnelonemergencyplansandprocedures.Anemergencyclosingdrillthatsimulatesshuttingdownaselectedsectionofthepipelineisrequiredonceeachyear.ReportsoftheclosingdrillsaretobesubmittedtotheBPU.Welatersurveyedthestatestodetermineifanyotherstateshadadoptedrulesgoverningsectionalizingvalves.Nonewerefoundasaresultofoursurvey.   $      1    #(XXA Class3locationisdefinedin49CFR192.5asanyclasslocation  unit(anareathatextends220yardsoneithersideofthecenterlineofanycontinuous1milelengthofpipeline)thathas46ormorebuildingsintendedforhumanoccupancy,oranyareawherethepipelinelieswithin100yardsofeitherabuildingofsmallwelldefinedareathatisoccupiedby20ormorepersonsonatleast5daysaweekfor10weeksinany12monthperiod.A Class4locationisdefinedin49CFR192.5asanyclasslocationunitwherebuildingswithfourormorestoriesabovegroundareprevalent. r  $    8    _ XXRSPAEdisonfailureinvestigatorstheorizepropertydamagecouldhavebeenreducediftheruptured  sectionhadbeenisolatedin10minutesandblowndowninanother1015minutes.Thereisnodatatosubstantiatethistheory,however.3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)  $    6    _ XXAppendixBinthereport (2) tabulatedatotalof28fatalitiesand116injuriesinthe80incidents.   $    7    _ XXThisdegreeofanalysisissufficientsinceapositivebenefittocostratiobasedonquantifiablebenefitscan  notbeachieved.  $    10    _ XXMillionStandardCubicFeet  $    11    _ XXThereisavalveateachofthetwocompressorstations.(<$2(  0  )3  0  (EhCEOYcmwAutoList21.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (UhCEOYcmwAutoList31.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0    $    12    _ XXTheTechnicalPipelineSafetyStandardsCommitteeisestablishedbystatute(49U.S.C.60115)toadvise  theSecretaryofTransportationonthetechnicalfeasibility,reasonableness,andpracticabilityofallproposedgaspipelinesafetystandardsandallamendmentstoexistingstandards. d>$Large Circle  $    2    _ XXNumbersrefertoreferencesinSection7.0ofthisreport.(P$0  2(  0  )3  0` (#(#  $    9    _ XXRequiredforaClassLocation3per49CFR192.179(a).(ehCEOYcmwAutoList41.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (uhCEOYcmwAutoList51.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (hCEOYcmwAutoList61.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (hCEOYcmwAutoList71.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (hCEOYcmwAutoList81.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (d$0  0` (#(#2(  0  )3  0 ` (#` (#(xLs$0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#2(  0  )3  0 (# (#($0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#2(  0  )3  0h(#(#(d$0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#2(  0  )3  0h(#h(#($0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#2(  0  )3  0(#(#($0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#0(#(#2(  0  )3  0p(#(#$+,-./0x:lGaeimquy}Bullet ListBullets List C  $    4    _ XXAnunknownnumberofoldvalvesmaynotbefullopening.Replacingthemwithfullopeningvalves  wouldallowthepassageofinlineinspectiontoolswhichwouldbeanadditionaladvantage.< 9Z+.Courier New Regular !  _AACC@  @ @REMOTELYCONTROLLEDVALVESON 0  0   0(#(#  @  (#(#INTERSTATENATURALGASPIPELINES@ (FeasibilityDeterminationMandatedbytheAccountablePipeline@ SafetyandPartnershipActof1996)DD@??#FMayFGSeptemberG1999EEBB@  U.S.DepartmentofTransportation@ ResearchandSpecialProgramsAdministration@400SeventhStreet,S.W.@Washington,D.>=D=>?C.20590?H -@), HIX0XXX@"TABLEOFCONTENTS  Section `     h      p      x  Page x L 1$+,-./0:ly3L1.0SCOPEANDPURPOSE0 h ..................1@h(#h(# 2.0BACKGROUND0  .....................2 X(#(#   2.1CongressionalMandate0 p ...........2 p(#p(#   2.2PublicMeeting0  ................3  (#(# 3.0_TETCO_SFIELDEVALUATIONOF_RCV_ԀINSTALLATIONS x ....9 `  4.0COSTBENEFITSTUDY..0  ................14(x (#(# 0   5.0ISSUESRAISEDBYTECHNICALPIPELINESAFETYSTANDARDSπCOMMITTEE  .....................17$(#(# 6.0FINDINGSANDPROPOSAL0  ................19(#(#   6.1Findings0 h ..................19dh(#h(#   6.2Proposal0 h ..................22,|h(#h(# 7.0REFERENCES0  .....................24D(#(# APPENDICESAppendixA0 PublicMeetingon10/30/97,AdamsMarkHotel,  HoustonSummaryofRemarksfromTranscript  (# (# AppendixB0 SummaryofSevenWrittenCommentstoDocketNo. 0!  _RSPA_Ԅ972879;Notice1 "d! (# (# 8BXXdXXd8  @'REPORT  @dd RemotelyControlledValvesonInterstateNaturalGasPipelines@RR&Ŕ%XX0(FeasibilityDeterminationMandatedbyTheAccountable \ @x x PipelineSafetyandPartnershipActof1996)#X0X%&Ŕ #Ԉ .~ 1.0  SCOPEANDPURPOSE   ThisreportisinresponsetoaCongressionalmandateintheAccountablePipelineSafetyandPartnershipActof1996tosurveyandassesstheeffectivenessofremotelycontrolledvalves(_RCVs_)oninterstatenaturalgaspipelinesandtodeterminetheirtechnicalandeconomicalfeasibilitytoshutoffgasafterarupture.ThisreportcontainsadiscussionoftheresultsofapublicmeetingheldinHouston,TexasonOctober30,1997forthepurposeofgatheringinformationanddiscussingissuesrelevanttothesurveyandassessment.Thereportalsocontainstheresultsofan_RCV_ԀfieldevaluationconductedbyTexasEasternTransmissionCorporation(_TETCO_)aspartofaConsentOrderissuedbytheOfficeofPipelineSafety(OPS)(_CPF_Ԁ15102)toprovideinformationon_TETCO_sexperiencewith_RCVs_.ThereisalsoadiscussionofstatusbriefingsbeforetheTechnicalPipelineSafetyStandardsCommittee(_TPSSC_)andacostversusbenefitstudy. r-(.  ЇThereportaddressesthefourmainissuesraisedbytheCongressionalmandatetostudy_RCVs_,i.e.,effectiveness,technicalfeasibility,economicfeasibility,andriskreduction.Thereportconcludeswithaproposalforfurtheraction,whichisapublicmeetingtoseekinputoninformationforspecifyingthetimetoisolatearupturedpipelinesection.2.0  BACKGROUND x  2.1  CongressionalMandate p TheAccountablePipelineSafetyandPartnershipActof1996(codifiedat49U.S.C.60102(j))mandatedthat:"  "5  0  NotlaterthanJune1,1998,theSecretary[of ( Transportation]shallsurveyandassesstheeffectivenessofremotelycontrolledvalvestoshutofftheflowofnaturalgasintheeventofaruptureofaninterstatenaturalgaspipelinefacilityandshallmakeadeterminationaboutwhethertheuseofremotelycontrolledvalvesistechnicallyandeconomicallyfeasibleandwouldreducerisksassociatedwitharuptureofaninterstatenaturalgaspipelinefacility."5b݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Notlaterthanoneyearafterthesurveyandassessmentare x& $ completed,iftheSecretaryhasdeterminedthattheuseofremotelycontrolledvalvesistechnicallyandeconomicallyfeasibleandwouldreducerisksassociatedwitharuptureofaninterstatenaturalgaspipelinefacility,theSecretaryshallprescribestandardsunderwhichanoperatorofaninterstatenaturalgaspipelinefacilitymustusearemotelycontrolledvalve.Thesestandardsshallinclude,butnotbelimitedto,requirementsforhighdensitypopulationareas. -0', _"݌ (#(# Ќ  ThisactionbyCongresswasinresponsetoahighpressuregastransmissionpipelinefailureinEdison,NewJerseyonMarch23,1994.Thefailureofthe36inchpipelineoperatedbyTETCOresultedinignitionoftheescapinggasandcreationofafireball500feethigh.TheincidentreportfiledwiththeResearchandSpecialProgramsAdministration(RSPA)reportednofatalitiesandtwopeoplerequiringinpatienthospitalization.Radiantheatfromthefireballignitedtheroofsofbuildingslocatedmorethan100yardsfromthefailure,destroyed128apartmentsandresultedintheevacuationof1,500people.Thecasualtieswerelimitedbecausethefewminutesbetweenthetimeofthefailure,thefire,andtheradiantheatfromthefireignitingtheapartments,allowedresidentstovacatethearea.Thegastransmissioncompanytook2hourstoisolatetherupturedsectionofpipelinebyoperatingmanuallyoperatedvalves,whichcontributedtotheseverityofthedamages  9  1      .(1)#  9  2       " Ѐ #d! 2.2  PublicMeeting h BypublicnoticeintheFederalRegister(62FR51624;Oct.2,1997),weinvitedrepresentativesfromindustry,stateandlocalgovernment,andthepublictoapublicmeetingontheuseofRCVsoninterstatenaturalgaspipelinefacilities.Thepurposeofthemeetingwastogatherinformationanddiscussissuesrelevanttothesurveyandassessment.ConsistentwiththePresidentsRegulatoryReinventionInitiative(E.O.12866),RSPAwantedtoexploretheCongressionalmandatewithmaximumstakeholderinvolvement.Towardthisend,RSPAsoughtearlyparticipationinthesurveyandassessmentprocessbyholdingthepublicmeetingatwhichparticipants,includingRSPAstaff,exchangedviewsonrelevantissuesconcerningRCVs.Thepublicmeetingwasusedinpartialsatisfactionofthe surveyandassessportionoftheCongressionalmandate.#XBXXX0 #X> XXXB#XBX XX>"#X0XXXBThepublicmeetingwasattendedbyapproximately31people $`" representingthegaspipelineindustry,consultantstothegaspipelineindustry,theGasResearchInstitute,andRSPAstaff.Tenpeoplepresentedoralcommentsatthemeeting.AsamplingofcommentsmadeatthemeetingisincludedasAppendixAtothisreport.Thereweresevenwrittencommentsinresponsetoan -H', invitationinthepublicnotice.AsummaryofeachwrittencommentisincludedasAppendixBtothisreport.Thecomments,transcript,andnoticesinDocketNo.RSPA972879canbeaccessedattheDOTDocketsManagementSystemsInternetwebsite.  9  3      ׀   Thenoticeannouncingthepublicmeetingcontainedeightquestionstoencourageparticipantstofocusontheissueswebelievearethemostimportant.Theeightquestionsandgeneralresponsesareasfollows:A.Whatisthepotentialvalueofearlydetectionandisolation  ofasectionofpipelineafterafailureintermsofenhancedsafetyandreducedpropertydamage?0  Onecommenterindicatedthatthepotentialvalueofearly 0! detectionandisolationisthepublicperceptionofenhancedsafety,whereasanotherindicateditwouldreducethevolumeofflammablegasbeingvented.However,mostcommentersagreedthatanyconsequencesfromafailure,i.e.,casualtiesorpropertydamage,wouldoccurverysoonafter *#( thefailureandlongbeforeRCVswouldbeeffective.Inalargediameterpipeline,evenifthevalvesclosedinstantaneously,itwouldtakesometimetoblowdownthepipelinesectioninvolved.Anexampleofthisisanapproximateblowdowntimeof10minutesfora5milesectionofa24inchpipelineifthefailureisnearoneend(2). (#(# B.Whatarethetechnicalandeconomicadvantagesofinstalling x  RCVs?0  Onecommenterindicatedatechnicaladvantageisgreater D reliabilityifoldvalvesneedtobereplacedwithnewonesbecauseofarequirementforthevalvestoberemotelycontrolled2  9  4      .Theonlyeconomicadvantageisthevalueof 4 thegasnotlostbecauseRCVscanisolatetherupturedpipelinesectionfasterthanmanuallyoperatedvalves. (#(# C.Whatarethetechnicalandeconomicdisadvantagesof $T" installingRCVs?0  Commentsontechnicaldisadvantagesfocusedonreliability  *#( ofthetechnicallycomplexRCVinstallations,boththehardwareandthecommunicationslink.Thetechnicaldifficultiesinretrofittingexistingvalvestoprovideremotecontrol,suchasmatchingnewvalveoperatorstooldvalves,wasalsocited.CommentersstressedpaststudieswhichindicateRCVsarenotcostbeneficialbecauseofthehighinstallationcostsofvalveactuatorsandcommunicationlinks,andthehighmaintenancecostswithnocorrespondingbenefits.OnecommenternotedthatatenyearreviewofDepartmentofTransportation(DOT)pipelineleakandfailurestatisticsforhiscompanyrevealednocasualtiesthatcouldhavebeenpreventedbyRCVs.ThisoperatorestimatedthecostofremotelycontrollingallDOTrequiredvalvesinClass3and4locationswouldbe$40millionwithnobenefitsfromreducedcasualtiesovera10yearperiod.X(#(#  X 0  X 0(#(#D.WhatstatesinadditiontoNewJerseyhaveadopted "  regulationsconcerningRCVsonintrastatenaturalgaspipelinefacilities? (#(#  0  Commenterswerenotawareofanystatesadopting *#( regulations  9  5      .h(#(#  E.IfRCVswererequiredinonlyhighriskareas,whatwould   constitutehighriskareasandwhatwouldbecriteriaforprioritizingfromhighesttolowestrisk?0  Commentersbelievedoperatorsshoulddeterminehighrisk (  areasthroughariskassessmentoftheirpipelines.Thepotentialmagnitudeofdamagefromapipelinefailurebecauseofsuchfactorsaspopulationdensity,pressure,andpipediameter,andtheprobabilityofapipelinefailureduetosuchfactorsassubsidence,andproposedcontiguousconstructionactivity,shouldbeusedascriteria. (#(# F.DocumentcaseswhereRCVshavemalfunctionedcausingthemto h closeunexpectedlyortonotclosewhencommandedbythe 4! dispatcher.0  NodocumentedcasesofRCVmalfunctioningweresubmittedby   commenters. `(#(# G.DocumentcaseswhereRCVsoperatedafteranaccidentto X  reducetheconsequencesoftheaccident. $  0  Therewerenocasesdocumentedbycommenters.However,onecommenterreferredtoaGasResearchInstitutereport(2)whichindicated,inAppendixBtothereport,thatananalysisof80pastfailuresreportedtoDOTshowedthequickclosureofavalvecouldhavepreventedaninjuryinonlyoneincident  9  6      .8(#(# H.Providedocumentationtosupportorrefutetheimpression 0! thatwhentheescapinggasfromafailedgaspipelineignites,itnormallyoccursshortlyaftertheaccident,usuallylessthan10minutesaftertheaccident.0  Noconcretedocumentationwassuppliedbycommenters.There ,*#( wereanumberofcommentsthatthereareanumberonignitionsourcesatanyfailuresitesothatignitionalmostalwaysoccursimmediatelyafterafailure,ornotatall. (#(# 3.0  TETCOSFIELDEVALUATIONOFRCVINSTALLATIONS   AspartofthesettlementinthecompliancecasewithTETCOinvolvingthefailureinEdison,NJ(CPFNo.15102),TETCOofferedtofundandperformanumberofpipelinesafetyactivitiesmutuallyacceptabletoOPSandTETCO.TETCOworkedwithBattelletodevelopanRCVprojectasoneoftheactivities,partofwhichincludedaoneyearfieldevaluationoftheRCVsinstalledonitspipelinesysteminNewJerseyandotherstates.Thefieldevaluationincludeddesignconsiderationsandcommissioningexperienceaswellasactualfieldexperienceaccumulatedoveraoneyearperiod.TETCOofferedthisprojectbecauseitbelieveditwouldbeusefulinrespondingtotheCongressionalmandatetostudyRCVs.TheTETCOexperiencewithinstalling90RCVsonitssystemisnottypicalofthegasindustry,norisittobeconsideredthenormfortheindustry.Itisnotmeanttobeamodelfortheindustry,butwasinresponsetothepotentialforcasualties -0', resultingfromcatastrophicpipelinefailuressuchasthefailurethatoccurredinEdison,NJ.TheprojectwasmonitoredbyRSPAandarepresentativefromtheNewJerseyBoardofPublicUtilities.WeattendedabriefinginHoustonTXontheprojectonMarch25,1998,whichincludedatourofTETCOsGasControlCenter.WealsotouredtheMillstoneRiverRCVsiteinNewJerseyonApril14,1998,andwitnessedanactivationofaRCVfromTETCOsGasControlcenterinHouston.TETCOsubmittedafieldevaluationreport(3)receivedbyusonNovember4,1998.TheresultoftheoneyearfieldevaluationwasthattheRCVswereoperatedapproximately200timeswithnovalveclosureproblemswhenfirstcommandedtoclose.Inaddition,therewerenoactualincidentsorfalseindicationstoremotelycloseanRCVequippedvalve.Followingareexcerptsfromthereportwhichwebelievearesignificantenoughtobeincludedinthisreport: ThetotalinstalledcostsoftheRCVsitesinstalledontheTETCOsystemrangedfrom$150,000forasinglemainlinevalvewithanexistingvalveoperator,existingROW,nopermittingproblemsorroadrequirementsto$500,000foraneightvalvesite -0', withsignificantpermittingcosts.TheaveragesiteontheTETCOsystemwiththreemainlinevalves,whichhaveexistingvalveoperators,cost$250,000.Thesecostsrepresenttherangeofcostsincurredforconverting90existingvalvesat40sitesfromlocalactuationtoremotecontrol.____________________ Theaveragecostofconvertingavalvetoremotecontrolwas$125,000to$150,000(whichincludedtheefficienciesrealizedatmultiplevalvesiteswheresitecostscouldbespreadoverseveralvalves).____________________ Therehasbeennosignificantimpactondirectoperatingcostsasaresultofinstallingremoteactivationequipmentonvalvesbecausethemaintenanceactivitiesfortheadditionalequipmenthavebeenabsorbedinthefunctionofthetechniciansthatworkthesesitesforotheractivities.AdditionalmaintenancecostsduetoRCVequipmentareapproximatelyonemanday/year/valveor$20,000systemwideforlaborand$15,000foradditionalsparepartsfor90RCVequippedvalvesinstalledtodateviathisproject.Thisadditionallaborisincurredduringsemiannualandannualmaintenancechecksthatrequirecyclingthevalveandperformingsensorand[remoteterminalunit]checkouts.____________________ -0',  ThedesignoftheRCVupgradewasbasedonusingexistingvalvesand,wherepractical,systemsandhardwarecurrentlyusedbyTETCOonotherapplications.Forexample,TETCOspriorexperiencewiththeBenchmarkRTU(remoteterminalunit)ongasmeteringapplicationswasleveragedtoapplythatsystemasthecontrollerfortheRCVs.Also,sensorsandrelatedhardwareinuseonotherTETCOequipmentweredirectlyapplicableforuseontheRCVs.____________________ SinceinstallationoftheRCVstherehavebeennounplannedvalveclosures.Unplannedvalveclosuresareconsideredtobetheresultofafalsevalveactuationoracommandedclosureinanemergencysituation.____________________ UpgradingvalvestoRCVstatusdoesnotimpactthetimetogetpeopletoanincidentsite.However,theadditionalcapabilitynowavailabletoGasControlenablesmorerapidresponseinevaluatingasituation,facilitatesmoreaccuratedispatchingofpersonnel,andfacilitatesisolatinganeffectivesectionbyallowingvalvesatbothendsormultiplesitestobeclosedquicklyandwithoutrequiringpersonnelateachsite.Also,insituationsthatGasControlcanresolvewithoverwhelmingevidence,valveclosurecanbeaccomplishedbeforeoperations -0', personnelaccessthesite. Oftheapproximately200valvecycles,thevalvesclosed100percentofthetimeascommandedonthefirstattemptbutfailedtoreopenuponcommandinthreeinstances.Inoneadditionalinstance,avalvefailedtocloseasecondtimeafterclosingandreopeningproperlyduringthefirstattempt.____________________ Asnotedabove,therewerethreecaseswherevalvesdidnotreopenuponcommandfromGasControl,andonecasewhereavalvefailedtocloseinasecondattemptafterclosinginthefirstattempt.Inallfourcases,theproblemwastheresultofasolenoidvalvefailingtoopenandprovidepowergassupplypressuretotheoperator.  ( 4.0  COSTBENEFITSTUDY h AstudybySouthwestResearchInstitute(SwRI)(4)forGRIassessedthepotentialroleofRCVsincontrollingtheblowdowntimeafteragaspipelineruptureandtoevaluatetheeffectsofearlyisolationonfatalitiesandinjuries.WehaveusedthisstudyasthebasisforourdeterminationoftheeconomicfeasibilityofinstallingRCVsoninterstatenaturalgastransmissionpipelines.Theobjectiveofthestudyisstatedinthereport:0  Toevaluatethepotentialbenefitofremotelycontrolledmainlinevalvesinreducingthepersonalinjuriesandfatalitiesassociatedwithpipelineruptures,andtoassesstheprojectedcostofretrofittingexistingvalvesforremoteoperation. (#(# TheSwRIstudyprovidesdataonwhichtobasearudimentaryanalysisofcostsversusbenefits  9  7      .Forinstance,thestudy " concludesthatalmostnocasualtieswouldbepreventedbytheinstallationofRCVs.Ofatotalof81incidentsstudiedfrom1972to1997,virtuallyallfatalitiesandinjuriesoccurredat,orverynear(withinthreeminutes),ofthetimeofinitial @)"' rupture,longbeforetherupturedpipesectionwouldbeisolated,evenwithRCVsinstalled.TheSwRIstudyconcludesthatanaverageof10minutesisthetimebetweenruptureandinitiationofRCVclosure(ifnoonthegroundconfirmationoftherupturebyoperatorpersonnelisrequired).ThisleavespropertydamagepreventionandthevalueofgassavedfromearlyvalveclosureastheonlymeasurablebenefitsofRCVs.Unfortunately,therearenoanalysesthatcomparepropertydamagethatoccurredbeforevalveclosureversuspropertydamagethatoccurredaftervalveclosure,eitherwithRCVsormanuallyoperatedvalvesinstalled.Therefore,thevalueofgassavedbecauseofRCVclosureistheonlymeasurablebenefitthatcanbederivedfromtheSwRIstudy  9  8      . B TheSwRIstudycontainscomputersimulationsofasingleandloopedpipelinetodefinethepipelineflowcharacteristicsunderruptureconditionandarriveatestimatedgaslosswhenRCVsareactivatedversuswhenvalvesaremanuallyclosed.Onasinglepipelinemodeledasa30inchdiameterline,48mileslongwith f(!& valvesplacedeveryeight(8)miles%  9  9      ׀(atotalofsevenvalves), h operatedatapressureof1000psig,thelossofgasafteraguillotinelinerupturewouldbe31MMSCFZ  9  10      ׀forRCVclosureat10   minutesand58MMSCFformanualvalveclosureat40minutes.ThedifferencewouldbethegassavedifRCVswereinstalledor27MMSCF(5831=27).Atagaspriceof$2.50/MSCF(usedintheSwRIstudy),thesavings,andthereforethebenefit,wouldbe$67,500.ThecosttoretrofitthesevenvalvesinthissinglelinetomakethemRCVsusingthecostof$32,332fromtheSwRIstudy,wouldbe$226,324.Thisis3.3timesthebenefitfromthevalueofgassavediftherewasaruptureinthevalvesection.Eachpipeintheloopedpipelinestudymodel(twopipelinesinparallel)isthesamelength,diameter,operatingpressure,andvalvespacingasthesinglepipelinemodel.Theonlydifferenceisthatthelineisloopedforthe84miles.Ateachofthefivemainlinevalvesbetweencompressorstations  9  11      ,thereare10inch #  diameterlinesconnectingthetwo30inchlinesandcrossovervalvestoisolateeach30inchline.Themostgasissavedbyassumingthecrossovervalvesareoperatedintheopenposition, f(!& thusboth30inchdiameterlinesoperatetogether.Thereportstatesthegaslosswouldbe40MMSCFforRCVclosureat10minutesand93MMSCFformanualvalveclosureat40minutes.ThedifferencewouldbethegassavedifRCVswereinstalledor53MMSCF(9340=53).Atagaspriceof$2.50/MSCF(usedintheSwRIstudy),thesavings,andthereforethebenefit,wouldbe$132,500.Thecosttoretrofitthefourteen(14)30inchdiametervalvesinthisloopedline(7perline)tomakethemRCVsusingthecostof$32,332fromtheSwRIstudywouldbe$452,648.Inaddition,thereareten(10)10inchcrossovervalveswithacosttoretrofitof$29,395/valvewhichwouldbeanadditionalcostof$293,950.Thetotalcostofretrofittingthevalvesonthismodelwouldbe$746,598.Thisis5.6timesthevalueofgassaved.TheconsiderablespreadbetweenbenefitsandcostsinjustthesetwomodelspresentedintheSwRIstudymakeadditionalanalysesunnecessary.5.00  ISSUESRAISEDBYTECHNICALPIPELINESAFETYSTANDARDS f(!& COMMITTEE (#(# TherehavebeentwodetailedbriefingstotheTechnicalPipeline -\', SafetyStandardsCommittee(TPSSC)   9  12      ׀onthestatusofworkdone h underthisCongressionalmandate.TherewerenoissuesraisedduringthefirstbriefingonMay5,1998.However,therewereanumberofissuesraisedduringthesecondbriefingonNovember5,1998.OneissuewasthepublicperceptionthattheinstallationofRCVsincreasesafetyovermanuallyoperatedvalves.TheGRIreport(4)statedthatittakesatleast30to40minutestocloseamanuallyoperatedvalveafterapipelinereleasewhereasaRCVcanbeginclosingin10minutes.ThesameGRIreportindicatedthatareviewofpipelineincidentsbetween1972and1997showedvirtuallyallfatalitiesandinjuriesoccurredwithinthreeminutesoftheincident,withmostofthemoccurringatthetimeoftheincident.Therefore,theinstallationofRCVswouldhavelittleornosafetybenefit.OnecommitteememberremarkedthatthehighestperceivedbenefitisthepublicperceptionaboutRCVs.Thiscommitteerecommendedthatwedetermineifthepublicssafetycomfortlevelwouldbegreaterifthevalvesclosedin10minutesratherthan40minutesbeforerequiringthe f(!& spendingofalotofmoneyonRCVs.TheissueofdelaysinclosingmanuallyoperatedvalvesinpopulatedareasduetotrafficcongestionwasraisedinthecontextofreducinggaslossasitisoneoftheonlymeasurableadvantagesofinstallingRCVs.TheadvisorycommitteediscussedotherbenefitsfrominstallingRCVs,otherthanreducingcasualties.Propertydamagemaybereduced,disruptiontothepublicsnormalactivitiesmaybereduced,andotherutilitiesmaybeaffected.Thesebenefitsshouldbeconsideredifthetimetoshutinafailedpipelineisreduced.This,ofcourse,revertstothepublicperceptionissue.AmemberofthepublicattheTPSSCmeetingnotedthatthepublicimpressionofcontrolisanoverridingissue.TherewerenosolutionsadvancedatthesecondTPSSCmeetingtodealwiththeissuesraised.6.0  FINDINGSANDPROPOSAL f(!& 6.10  Findings+%*(#(#  -\', Inthissection,wewillevaluatefindingsonthefourissuesraisedintheCongressionalmandate,i.e.,effectivenessofRCVs,technicalfeasibilityofRCVs,economicfeasibility,andreductionofriskwithRCVs.EffectivenessofRCVsTheresultsfromtheTETCOoneyearfieldevaluationof90installedRCVsreportedinsection3.0confirmthatRCVsareeffective.Thevalveswereoperatedapproximately200timeswithnovalveclosureproblems.Theyclosedthefirsttimewhencommandedtoclose100percentofthetime.TechnicalfeasibilityTheTETCOexperiencedemonstratesthatRCVsaretechnicallyfeasible.TETCOhasinstalled90RCVsandhasproventhattheyoperatereliablywhenremotelycommanded.ThereisconsiderableanecdotalevidencefromotheroperatorsofsuccessfulinstallationsofRCVs,mostlyatcompressorstations,thatconfirmstheirtechnicalfeasibility.ItisunquestionablyfeasibletoinstallequipmentonmanuallyoperatedvalvestoconvertthemtoRCVsbecausethenecessaryequipmentexistsand -\', hasbeenusedforyears.EconomicfeasibilityWecannotfindthatRCVsareeconomicallyfeasible.ThequantifiablecostsfaroutweighthequantifiablebenefitsfrominstallingRCVs.Section4.0ofthisreportcontainsadiscussionofthecostsversusthebenefits.ThereisasmallbenefitfromreducedcasualtiesbecausevirtuallyallcasualtiesfromaruptureoccurbeforeanRVCcouldbeactivated.ComparingpropertydamagefromruptureswhereRCVsareinstalledversuswheremanuallyoperatedvalvesareinstalledisnotpossiblebecausewearenotawareofanystudiesthathavebeenconductedthatcomparedthesedamages.Manyofthecommentersatthepublicmeetingandinwriting,reportedinsection2.2,indicatedtheonlyeconomicbenefittoinstallingRCVsisthevalueofgassavedbecauseofquickerisolationoftherupturedsection.However,themodelsusedintheSwRIstudyindicatedthecostofinstallingRCVstorealizethegassavingwas3to5timesthevalueofthegassaved.TheTPSSCcommentedonissuesthatimpactbenefits.Theseissues -\', includedpublicperceptionofthebenefitsfromRCVs,disruptiontothepublicsnormalactivityandtheeffectonotherutilities.Unfortunately,thereisnodataknowntoustoquantifythesebenefits.ReductionofriskInstallationofRCVswouldreducerisk,butthedegreeofreductionisunknown.ThereductionisprimarilyduetolessgasescapingtotheatmosphereafterarupturebecauseRCVclosurecanbein10minutesversus40minutes(4)ifthevalvesrequiremanualclosing,resultinginpossiblereducedeffects,suchaspropertydamage.ThereissomeevidencefromtheNTSBreportontheEdisonfailure(1),thatfastervalveclosuremighthaveallowedfirementoentertheareasoonertoextinguishtheblazesandmighthavecontrolledthespreadofthefirestoadjacentbuildings.However,aquantifiablevaluecannotbeplacedonthissavingstopropertydamage.6.20  Proposalf(!&(#(# WehavefoundthatRCVsareeffectiveandtechnicallyfeasible,andcanreducerisk,butarenoteconomicallyfeasible.Wehave -\', alsofoundthattheremaybeapublicperceptionthatRCVswillimprovesafetyandreducetheriskfromarupturedgaspipeline.WebelievethereisaroleforRCVsinreducingtheriskfromcertainrupturedpipelinesandtherebyminimizingtheconsequencesofcertaingaspipelineruptures.Weareawareofexcessivedelaysoperatorshaveexperiencedmanuallyclosingvalvesfollowingapipelinerupture.RCVsensurethatasectionofpipecanbeisolatedwithinaspecifiedtimeperiodaftertherupture.Oncetherupturedsectionisisolatedandnolongerreceivingadditionalgasfromupstreamintheline,anyfirewouldsubsideasresidualgasintheisolatedsectionisburned.Atmanylocations,thereissignificantriskaslongasgasisbeingsuppliedtoarupturesite,andoperatorslacktheabilitytoquicklycloseexistingmanualvalves.Anyfirewouldbeofgreaterintensityandwouldhavegreaterpotentialfordamagingsurroundinginfrastructureifitisconstantlyreplenishedwithgas.Thedegreeofdisruptioninheavilypopulatedandcommercialareaswouldbeindirectproportiontothedurationofthefire.Althoughwelackdataenablingustoquantifythesepotentialconsequences,webelievethemtobesignificantnonetheless,andwebelieveRCVsmayprovidethebestmeansfor -\', addressingthem.Also,byprovidingadefinitivetimewhenthelinewouldbeisolatedfollowingarupture,itispossibletodeterminehowandwhenanyfirewoulddieout.Thisknowledgeprovidesabasisforriskassessmentandresponseplanning,importantconsiderationsincertainheavilypopulatedorcommercialareas,andanimportantfactorinmaintainingpublicconfidence.TherearesomelocationswhereRCVsmayneedtobeinstalledtoreducetheriskfromescapinggasatafailurewhenareasonabletimetocloseamanuallyoperatedvalvecannotbeestablished,eventhoughinstallationoftheRCVwouldnotbecosteffective.Althoughwebelieveastandardrequiringtimetoisolatearupturedpipelinesectionmaybeappropriate,welacksufficientdatatoconsiderone.WearethereforehostingapublicmeetingonThursday,November4,at1:00p.m.,Room8236,4007thStreet #  SW,Washington,DC.Wewillseekinputoninformationforspecifyingthetimetoisolatearupturedpipelinesection.Someoftheparameterstoconsiderwouldbe      2:l3  0 `   PopulationdensityÄ݌0*#(` (#` (# Ќ   $   $^0  2:l3  0` (#(#  Vulnerabilityoftheinfrastructure$^݌+%*` (#` (# Ќ   $   $I0  2:l3  0` (#(#  Environmentalconsequences$It݌-\',` (#` (# Ќ  _ $   $;0  2:l3  0` (#(#  Accessibilityofexistingvalvesbasedonchanging h conditionssuchasweatherandtraffic$;f݌ ` (#` (# Ќ   $   $h0  2:l3  0` (#(#  Valvespacing$h݌ ` (#` (# Ќ   $   $=0  2:l3  0` (#(#  Operationalparameters(suchaspipediameterand  ^ operatingpressure)$=h݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  7.0  REFERENCES $  (1)0  NationalTransportationSafetyBoard, TexasEastern P TransmissionCorporationNaturalGasPipelineExplosionandFire,Edison,NewJersey,March23,1994,PB95916501,_NTSB_/PAR95/01,January18,1995. (#(# (2)0  C.R.Sparks,etal.,(SouthwestResearchInstitute), B  RemoteandAutomaticMainLineValveTechnologyAssessment,FinalReporttoGasResearchInstitute,ReportNo.GRI95/0101,July1995. (#(# L (y1$+,-./0L    *2(  3  )3  0    DavidW._Detty_,P.E.,(BattelleMemorialInstitute), Texas &4 $ EasternTransmissionCorporation,RemoteControlValvesFieldEvaluationReport,October,1998.*U݌ (#(# Ќ  (4)0  C.R.Sparks,etal.,(SouthwestResearchInstitute), Cost -\', BenefitStudyofRemotecontrolledMainLineValves,FinalReporttoGasResearchInstitute,ReportNo.GRI98/0076,May1998. (#(# #XBXXX0a"#I@ @J ,j&* _JK_X0XXXB@88)A1 h @  PublicMeetingon10/30/97  \ @ AdamsMarkHotel,Houston@$@ SummaryofRemarksfromTranscript  "  "  "|  0  TetcohashadgoodexperiencewithACVsusing threshold 2  pressurechange,dontdisallowACVs(Drake,p.9)"|݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  InNTSBreportswhereRCVsrecommended,theywouldnthave < significantlymitigatedpropertydamageorinjuries(Richardson,p.13)"݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  QuestionofRCVsdealswitheconomicsandoperatingaspects, \ haslittletodowithsafetyorpropertydamage(Richardson,p.15)"݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Closingvalvesfasterwithaveragespacingof20mileswould %$ notsignificantlyreducedamagebecauseaverageventtimeisanhourorso(Steinbauer,p.17)"ٔ݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Hopeanyruleissuedwouldbeadesignrule,couldnt +d%, justifynewRCVsmuchlessrefittingexistingvalves z-'. (Richardson,p.20)" ݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Onlysavingsisreducingtimethatgasblowsandthatcanbe  \ calculated(Richardson,p.22)"9݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Commandorcommunicationsystemisthemostunreliablepart f  ofRCVs(Richardson,p.23)",݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Theissueofclosingmultilinesystemsmustbeaddressed p  (Drake,p.25)"݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Therealissueontheconsequencesideispublicperception z (Drake,p.27)"݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "š  0  Onthecostside:failures,ignition,majorityofdamage,  andprotectinglotsofpeoplewillnotbestoppedbyRCVs(Drake,p.28)"šݚ݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "ܛ  0  Mustconsiderwhattheindustryisdoingnow,sinceits $<$ successful(Deleon,p.31)"ܛ݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "ʜ  0  ForCGS,backofenvelopecalculation,retrofittingvalves )F#* inClass3&4locations,$40millioncost&$2millionbenefit(Burney,p.32)"ʜ݌ -&.(#(# Ќ  _@88)A2"  "  0  For_SoCal_,retrofittingvalveson4,000milesinClass3&4   location,costwouldbe$70million(_Mosinskis_,p.33)"8݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "h  0  Placementof_RCVs_ԀshouldbebasedonRMratherthanacross *  theboardinacertainclasslocation(Drake,p.39)"h݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  For_PSE_&GofNJ,nofeedbackfromthecommissiononthe 4 adequacyofourvalveassessmentrequiredbystateregulations(_McClenahan_,p.47)"݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Dispatchersdecisiontoclosevalvemustbeonacaseby  casebasis,notadetailedprocedure(_Mosinskis_,p.51)" ݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Theindustry,industryassociations,orGRIcoulddevelop "" guidelinesfordispatcherstouse(Burnley,p.58)":݌ (#(# Ќ    -&. Ї_KL_ !!XX0 # !! !N#5 !!! @88)#5X0X!5 !f#B1 h @@ @ SummaryofSevenWrittenCommentsto@0 0 DocketNo.RSPA972879;Notice1   ^ QuestarRegulatedServicesCompany >  "  "ݥ  0  ParentcompanyofMountainFuelSupply&QuestarPipeline 2  Company.MountainFuelhas625,000customersinUT,ID,andWY.QuestarPipelineoperatesinCO,UT,andWY.Togetheroperate2950milesoftransmission,10,000milesofmains,8285milesofservices."ݥ݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "z  0  ThedecisiontoinstallRCVs(orACVs)shouldbeleftupto F theoperatorusingriskassessmentprovidingamoreflexibleapproach."z݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  AnoperatormaydecideACVs(or linebreakvalves)area f#" betterfitforitssystem."݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Criteriacouldincludedenselypopulatedareas(CL3&4), p("( responsetimeduetoremotelocations,ESAs,orotherhighriskareaidentifiedbytheoperator."݌ (#(# Ќ   z-'. "  "Ԫ  0  MandatingRCVswouldrequireQuestartoreplaceexisting h ACVsatsubstantialexpensewithoutincrementalbenefits."Ԫ݌ (#(# Ќ  ColumbiaGasTransmission r  "  "  0  Columbiagassystemhas16,300milesoftransmissionlines."/݌f (#(# Ќ  "  "ܬ  0  InstallingRCVswontsignificantlylowerthepotential *  consequencesassociatedwithruptures,preventruptures,eliminateblowinggas,oreliminatefires."ܬ݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Theindustrycurrentlyhasnocriteriafortheplacementof z RCVs;InallCl3&4locationsistoobroad.".݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Theonlypotentialvalueisthepublicperceptionof  enhancedsafetyeventhoughthemajorityofdamagewouldoccurbeforethevalvewasclosed."0݌ (#(# Ќ  "  ">  0  Theonlyadvantageislimitinggaslossifandwhena $<$ ruptureoccurs.">Y݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Manydisadvantagesincluding:Morecomplex,requiresSCADA )F#* andhumanintervention,powerorcommunicationfailurecouldrenderaRCVinoperable,andretrofittingmanydifferent  -&. valvedesignscouldbetechnicallydifficult."7݌ (#(# Ќ  @88)B2"  "  0  Economicdisadvantages:FromareviewofColumbiasaccident f  dataover10years,nodeathsorinjurieswouldhavebeenpreventedbyRCVs.TorequireRCVsonsectionalizingblockvalvesinCl3&4locationsonColumbiaisestimatedtocost$40million,with$0benefits."۲݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "k  0  Highriskareasdeterminedbypopulationdensity,proximity z tothepipeline,operatingconditions,calculatedradiantheat,terrain,predominatebuildingconstructionandmaterials."k݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Onedocumentedcase:AnincidentoverMississippiRiveron H!  Aug.24,1993,anACVclosedononesideoftheriver,buttheACVontheothersidedidnot."Ե݌ (#(# Ќ  PacificGasandElectricCompany (!( "  "&  0  Hasover3milliongascustomersinCA."&A݌\+$,(#(# Ќ    -&. "  "  0  HavenoobjectiontoinstallingRCVs,havefoundthem h reliable,installthemwhenupgradingexistingmajorcontrolstationsorinstallingnewstations." ݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  ObjectstoGRIfindingofreliabilityofACVs.PG&Ehas   foundthatthesensitivityofthedetectionsystemmustbesetsolowastomisssomelinebreaks,intheirexperience."9݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "g  0  Safetywouldbeenhancedbyreducingthevolumeofflammable p  gasreleased."g݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "J  0  Majortechnicaladvantagebyisolatingsectionquickly z withoutdispatchingpersonnelandknowledgeofvalvestatususingSCADA."Je݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "b  0  Majoreconomicadvantagesareminimizingcompanyliability, 2 andpotentialforminimizinggascustomeroutagebyquicklyisolatingsectionandprovidingalternategassupply."b}݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Maindisadvantagesishighcostandpotentialfor R&& inadvertentshutdown."ý݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Nodocumentedcases,butPG&Edispatchershaveexperienced \+$, bothmalfunctionsandcaseswherethevalvesclosedon  -&. demand."݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Onecanassumethatifignitionoccurs,itwilloccurafew  \ secondsafterrupture."ɿ݌ (#(# Ќ  @88)B3 f  DaytonPowerandLightCompany *  "  "  0  Has300,000gascustomers,bothintrastatetransmissionand  distributionpipelines."݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  SupportslimiteduseofRCVsandhasinstalledthemto ( alleviatemanual,handcrankingofvalves;however,field > verificationisessentialbeforeremotelyactivatingvalve."݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "J  0  Definitionfor highriskareawouldbeinconsistentthe T!  establishedclasslocationscheme;itwouldbedifferentforeachoperator."Je݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "n  0  Shouldbeevaluatedinconjunctionwiththeconsistent  (!( applicationofacceptedrisk"n݌ (#(# Ќ  0  managementprinciples. (#(#  -&. Transco h "  "  0  ThinkstheuseofRCVsshouldbepartofanoperatorsrisk  \ managementstrategy."݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  ProblemswithinstallingRCVs:"݌f (#(# Ќ  0   (#(# 0  0` (#(#Todaystechnologydoesnotdifferentiatetoahigh *  degreeofaccuracybetweentransientoperatingpressuresandruptures. ` (#` (# 0  0` (#(#Blowdowntimesareoftenonehourormoreevenwith 4 immediateclosure. ` (#` (# 0  0` (#(#Withignitiontimeof210minutes,plumeignitionwill ( notbeaffected. ` (#` (# 0  0` (#(#Costwillbehighforoperatorswithmultiline  systems. ` (#` (# TexasGasTransmission "" "  "*  0  Operates5,700milesof2"42"pipelines."*E݌R&&(#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Retrofittingexistingvalvesveryexpensive.Notsoonnew )F#* installations."݌ (#(# Ќ  _  -&. (noothernewcommentsfromthosemadebyprevious_commenters_.)_Enron_ԀGasPipelineGroup  \ "  "  0  GroupincludesFLGasTrans.,NorthernNatural,   _Transwestern_,Houston_P.L._ԀCo.,BlackMarlin_P.L._ԀCo.,&LAResourcesCo.whichtogetheroperate27,000milesofpipe."݌ (#(# Ќ  @88)B4"  "T  0  Routinelyreviewspecificsofincidents.Conclusionfrom  reviewsisthat_RCVs_,ifinstalled,wouldnothavecontributedtopublicsafetyorthereductionofpropertydamage."To݌ (#(# Ќ  "  "  0  Decisionshouldbeleftuptooperator."݌(#(# Ќ  (noothernewcommentsfromthosemadebyprevious_commenters_.)0   (#(# #XBXX5X0«#X0XXXBLK  -&. Ї#XBXXX0#K