Docket ID PHMSA-2008-0255

PHMSA is sponsoring a Workshop on Assessment and Repair of Anomalies in Pipelines to allow stakeholders of the pipeline safety community to learn about and discuss recent research results, current evaluation practices, and methods to assure pipeline safety. The discussion of current evaluation practices and methods to assure pipeline safety should include: A review of safety factors used to evaluate anomalies when assessing in-line tool and excavation results, review of how outside forces and overpressure may affect anomaly stresses, how ILI tool accuracy is applied to anomaly evaluation, and how anomaly growth rates in assessments are considered. This will include a discussion of recent research indicating that existing methods of predicting the remaining strength of corroded pipe could provide non-conservative results (i.e., the pipe will fail at a pressure lower than that predicted) in some circumstances. Non-conservative results could be obtained even when the dimensions of pipeline anomalies are known with precision.

The workshop will be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745 on October 22, 2008. Name badge pick-up and on-site registration will be available starting at 7:30 a.m. with the agenda taking place from 8 a.m. until approximately 5 p.m. Refer to the Meeting Web Site for updated agenda and times.

Please note: the workshop will not be Webcast. However, presentations will be available on the Meeting Web Site within 30 days following the workshop. Hotel reservations under the "United States Department of Transportation #2" room block for the night of October 21, 2008, can be made at 1-301-965-2000. A daily rate of $233 is available. The meeting room will be posted at the hotel on the day of the workshop.