The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-2012-11 to inform owners and operators of gas transmission pipelines that if the pipeline pressure exceeds maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) plus the build-up allowed for operation of pressure-limiting or control devices, the owner or operator must report the exceedance to PHMSA on or before the fifth day following the date on which the exceedance occurs. If the pipeline is subject to the regulatory authority of one of PHMSA’s State Pipeline Safety Partners, the exceedance must also be reported to the applicable state agency.

These reports must be submitted within five days of the occurrence using one of the reporting methods described in § 191.25(a). PHMSA is poised to issue a final rule modifying this regulation to include electronic mail (email) as an acceptable reporting method for SRCR. PHMSA encourages gas transmission owners and operators to report MAOP plus build-up exceedances by emailing information to InformationResourcesManager@dot.gov Reports may also be submitted by fax to (202) 366-7128.

For a copy of ADB-2012-11 on MAOP Exceedance Reporting, contact Jessica Roger.