RCP has subject matter experts for developing or updating comprehensive Underwater Inspection Procedures (UIP) to comply with 49 CFR 192.612 and 49 CFR 195.413, Underwater Inspection and Reburial of Pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico and its inlets. The procedures include:
- Generally accepted means of identifying water depths as well as pipe burial depths below the underwater natural bottom;
- Criteria to determine whether pipelines being inspected meet the definition of “hazard to navigation” or “exposed underwater pipeline” as defined in 49 CFR 192.2 and 49 CFR 195.2; and,
- Measures that could be taken by operators in the event their pipelines are determined to meet the definition of “hazard to navigation” or “exposed underwater pipeline.”
- Reporting and permitting requirements for “exposed underwater pipeline” or “hazard to navigation” pipelines.
- Criteria to determine next depth of cover inspection date. 1
1 RCP has developed a Inspection Interval Risk Model (IIRM) to help clients determine next depth to cover inspection dates by ranking external threats and associated consequences such as: third party intervention (such as shipping lanes, anchor patterns, etc.); environmental or natural intervention; pipeline design and installation characteristics; potential HCA impacts; and release history.