Notice2024-16414
Pipeline Safety: 2024 Risk Modeling Public Workshop
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 25, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Abstract
This notice announces a public workshop on risk modeling methodologies and tools for the evaluation of gas, carbon dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>), and hazardous liquid pipelines. The notice also requests comment on the topic, including submission of supporting abstracts of relevant engineering and technical modeling considerations to support improvement and advancement in pipeline risk management, such as modeling methods that follow PHMSA's report on Pipeline Risk Modeling, Overview of Methods, and Tools for Improved Implementation, issued in February 2020.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 143 (Thursday, July 25, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 143 (Thursday, July 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60489-60491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16414]
[[Page 60489]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0043]
Pipeline Safety: 2024 Risk Modeling Public Workshop
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of public workshop and request for comments and
abstracts.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces a public workshop on risk modeling
methodologies and tools for the evaluation of gas, carbon dioxide
(CO<INF>2</INF>), and hazardous liquid pipelines. The notice also
requests comment on the topic, including submission of supporting
abstracts of relevant engineering and technical modeling considerations
to support improvement and advancement in pipeline risk management,
such as modeling methods that follow PHMSA's report on Pipeline Risk
Modeling, Overview of Methods, and Tools for Improved Implementation,
issued in February 2020.
DATES: The public workshop will be held on October 23 and 24, 2024
(time to be determined). Public comments for consideration at the
workshop can be submitted to the docket until October 9, 2024.
Abstracts must be submitted to the docket by August 16, 2024. All
comments and abstracts must be submitted to Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0043.
Anyone who would like to attend the public workshop must register by
October 1, 2024. Individuals requiring accommodations, such as sign
language interpretation or other ancillary aids, should notify Janice
Morgan by phone at 202-815-4507 or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2268434c4b41470c6f4d5045434c62464d560c454d54"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6b210a0502080e452604190c0a052b0f041f450c041d">[email protected]</span></a> no
later than October 1, 2024. For additional information, see the
ADDRESSES section of this notice.
ADDRESSES: The 2024 Risk Modeling Public Workshop will be held in
person in Houston, Texas (exact location and website address to be
determined). The location, instructions, and final agenda will be
posted to Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0043 once they are finalized.
Presentations: Presentations will be available on the workshop
website and on the E-gov website at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> at Docket No.
PHMSA-2024-0043, no later than 30 days following the workshop.
Submitting Comments: Members of the public may submit written
comments either before or after the workshop. Comments should reference
Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0043 and may be submitted by any of the following
ways:
<bullet> E-Gov Web: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. This site allows the
public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any
agency. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Mail: Docket Management System, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Management System, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
Instructions: Identify the docket number at the beginning of your
comments. If you submit your comments by mail, please submit two
copies. To receive confirmation that PHMSA has received your comments,
please include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may
submit comments at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
Confidential Business Information: Confidential Business
Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both
customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments in response to this notice contain
commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as
private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this notice, it is important that you clearly designate
the submitted comments as CBI. Pursuant to 49 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) 190.343, you may ask PHMSA to provide confidential
treatment to information you give to the agency by taking the following
steps: (1) mark each page of the original document submission
containing CBI as ``Confidential;'' (2) send PHMSA a copy of the
original document with the CBI deleted along with the original,
unaltered document; and (3) explain why the information you are
submitting is CBI. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Kandilarya Barakat, DOT, PHMSA-PHP-80, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Any commentary PHMSA receives that is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket.
Privacy Act: DOT may solicit comments from the public regarding
certain general notices. Comments, including any personal information
provided, are posted without changes or edits to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. DOT posts these comments as described in the
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="http://www.dot.gov/privacy">www.dot.gov/privacy</a>.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online
instructions for accessing the dockets. Alternatively, you may review
the documents in person at the street address listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee Cooper, Engineering Operations
Supervisor, Engineering and Research Division, by phone at 202-913-3171
or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fab69f9fd4b995958a9f88ba9e958ed49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c507979325f73736c796e5c787368327b736a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Pipeline risk models are foundational to the assessment of
operational pipeline risk. federal pipeline safety integrity management
(IM) regulations require pipeline operators to use risk assessments.
PHMSA's integrity management regulations (49 CFR part 192, subpart O
and subpart P; 49 CFR195.452) require the continual evaluation of
threats to pipelines, and evaluation of methods to minimize the
likelihood of a release as well as address the consequences of
potential releases. Risk models are a primary tool pipeline operators
use as part of this evaluation process and are generally referred to as
a ``risk analysis'' or ``risk assessment.'' A risk model is a set of
algorithms or rules that use available information and data
relationships to perform a risk assessment. The risk model is a
simplified representation of a pipeline system and represents the
relation of important risk factors.
To meet integrity management standards, a risk modeling approach
must be able to adequately characterize all pipeline integrity threats
and consequences concurrently, as well as be able to evaluate the
impact of various measures on reducing risk.
In September 2015, PHMSA hosted a public workshop on risk modeling
where various comments were presented and discussed with interested
stakeholders. Information regarding the previous public workshop can be
found at Docket No. PHMSA-2015-0139. Following the public workshop,
PHMSA organized a risk modeling work group (RMWG) to gather information
regarding state-of-the-art pipeline risk modeling methods and tools;
the use of those methods and tools; and the
[[Page 60490]]
resulting data in operator IM programs. In February 2020, PHMSA issued
the resulting report, ``Pipeline Risk Modeling, Overview of Methods and
Tools for Improved Implementation,'' which presented several
conclusions:
<bullet> The overriding principle in employing any type of risk
model/assessment is that it supports risk management decisions to
reduce risks.
<bullet> While different risk model types have different
capabilities for evaluating risk reduction actions, the quantitative
system model or probabilistic models are more versatile and provide
greater capabilities to provide risk insights and support decision
making. Such models are not necessarily more complex nor need more data
than other types of risk models.
<bullet> Pipeline operators should take ongoing actions to improve
and update data quality and completeness over time. However, the type
of risk model to employ in pipeline risk analyses should not depend
primarily on the perceived initial quality and completeness of input
data because all models utilize the available data. Instead, operators
should select the best model approach and then populate the model with
the best information currently available on risk factors or threats for
each pipeline segment and improve that data over time.
<bullet> It is important for risk models to include modeling of
incorrect operations, which includes human interactions and human
performance, that are significant to the likelihood of failure or have
a significant effect on consequences of a failure (e.g., inappropriate
controller restart of pumps, realistic emergency response time
scenarios, design, and construction human errors, etc.).
<bullet> It is important for pipeline risk models to include the
potential effects of how threats interact in ways that can increase
risk. Therefore, when a risk analysis involves multiple threats, the
effects of ``interactive threats'' or dependencies on likelihood of
failure should be clearly evaluated.
<bullet> Varying levels of sophistication are possible in the
analysis of the consequences of a failure. However, it is important to
consider an applicable range of scenarios (even if they do not have a
high probability of occurrence) to capture the full spectrum of
possible consequences.
<bullet> The characteristics of pipeline facilities that affect
risk may be significantly different than those of line pipe, but the
same basic risk assessment principles apply and the same types of
models may be applied.
In addition, section 119 of the Protecting Our Infrastructure of
Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020 directed PHMSA to
commission a study to assess regulatory standards and criteria for
deciding when automatic and remote-control shutoff valves should be
installed on existing hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines
in high consequence areas (HCAs). The National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) conducted the study of potential
methodologies for the installation of automatic or remote-controlled
shut-off valves and released its findings in February 2024. The study
included several recommendations, one of which suggested PHMSA
``further the pipeline industry's use of quantitative models for IM
risk analysis as well as sound and consistent methods for establishing
the benefits of safety measure.'' The recommendation specifically
includes recommendations to:
<bullet> Require the use of quantitative risk modeling by all
pipeline operators for their IM programs, except when an operator can
make a compelling justification for the use of another risk assessment
method.
<bullet> Provide the pipeline industry with practitioner-oriented
technical guidance for conducting state-of-the-art pipeline risk
analyses using quantitative models and for estimating the benefits of
alternative risk reduction measures, including public safety benefits
and interests.
<bullet> Encourage recognized standard-setting organizations, such
as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and American Petroleum
Institute, to enhance their standards for hazardous liquid and gas
transmission pipelines by including more technical guidance for using
quantitative risk models and for obtaining the data needed to develop
them.
The 2024 Risk Modeling Public Workshop will provide an opportunity
to discuss advances in risk modeling approaches and methodologies for
pipeline and non-pipeline systems, as well as practical ways that
pipeline operators have adopted and/or adapted methodologies to enhance
the risk analyses of their systems.
PHMSA believes that risk models need to evolve in such a way as to
be more versatile, thus leading to improved implementation to further
reduce the risk of pipeline integrity threats to the public, property,
and the environment. PHMSA is particularly interested in improvements
to pipeline risk models, and what operators have adopted and/or adapted
to risk models as part of the risk analyses of their systems.
Public Workshop and Request for Comments
To this end, PHMSA will hold the 2024 Risk Modeling Public Workshop
to discuss and receive public feedback on recent advancements and
improvements in risk analyses and risk models. PHMSA invites the public
to comment and submit research abstracts on engineering and technical
modeling considerations related to advancements in pipeline risk
models, as well as risk modeling methodologies used in non-pipeline
applications, and practical ways that operators can adopt and/or adapt
such methods to the risk analyses of their systems. PHMSA will review
all submitted abstracts and may choose to select abstracts for
presentation during the workshop.
To be considered for presentation, authors must submit abstracts of
250 words or less to Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0043 by July 30, 2024. If
selected, PHMSA will notify the author of their selection by August 30,
2024. Each author of a selected abstract will then provide a short
presentation to be used during the workshop. This will be due by
September 30, 2024.
Specific examples of applications are encouraged. PHMSA is
interested in engineering and technical modeling considerations,
including, but not limited to, the following:
<bullet> Quantitative system and probabilistic risk approaches;
<bullet> Treatment of human performance, including both likelihood
and consequence aspects;
<bullet> Consideration of threats and their interactions in risk
assessments;
<bullet> Modeling challenges associated with the transportation of
hydrogen, hydrogen blends, or carbon dioxide;
<bullet> Identification, evaluation, and comparison of preventive
measures and mitigative measures;
<bullet> Cost/benefit analysis for risk reduction options; and
<bullet> Continual evaluation of integrity and general risk
management decision making.
PHMSA is not always able to publish a notice in the Federal
Register quickly enough to provide timely notification of last-minute
changes that impact scheduled workshops. Therefore, individuals should
check the workshop website listed in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice or contact Lee Cooper by phone at 202-913-3171 or by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aae6cfcf84e9c5c5dacfd8eacec5de84cdc5dc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="de92bbbbf09db1b1aebbac9ebab1aaf0b9b1a8">[email protected]</span></a>, regarding any possible changes. PHMSA invites
public participation and public comment on the topics addressed in this
public
[[Page 60491]]
workshop. Please review the ADDRESSES section of this notice for
information on how to submit written comments.
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2024, under authority
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Alan K. Mayberry,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2024-16414 Filed 7-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 25, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.