RRC
Published: 02-13-08
AUSTIN— With directives issued last fall and additional safety initiatives proposed today the regulatory agency in charge of pipeline safety—the Texas Railroad Commission—continues to lead the nation in pipeline safety.
Accidents involving non-restraint compression couplings one type of pipeline fitting that joins two pipes together have occurred around the nation. In Texas three accidents involving this type of fitting have occurred since October 2006. After the two of these Texas accidents in March 2007 the Railroad Commission launched an investigation into the use of these components statewide to determine if they may pose a systematic problem. The study’s results were released today.
Of 4336 accidents since 1971 84 or 1.9 percent involved compression couplings. The primary causes of these 84 incidents may have been related to third-party damage or other causes not directly attributable to material failures. However these incidents were included in this tally because a compression coupling was involved.
The primary cause of 77 percent of Texas pipeline accidents occurs when someone digs into a pipeline. This is known as third-party damage and happens about 200 times a week. Corrosion and rust account for another 12 percent of pipeline accidents in Texas.
Today’s Commission’s study results do not indicate a systematic safety problem with compression couplings. However proposals were issued today for the Commissioners’ consideration to add onto previous directives issued last fall involving these fittings and general pipeline safety actions. Along with a November directive to remove known non-restraint compression couplings at service risers today’s recommendations include:
• On plastic pipe remove the compression coupling if it is not a Category 1 coupling (resistant to pull out).
• On steel pipe non-restraint compression couplings installed prior to 1980 must be phased out and replaced.
• To capture additional data on compression couplings and their performance leak repair reports filed with the Commission must include the compression coupling manufacturer and model number.
• Have the Commission conduct annual meetings with industry to determine trends or concerns regarding the safety of pipeline systems.
The Commission will review today’s proposals and act on them at the Commission’s Feb. 26 conference.
“No other state regulatory agency and no federal regulatory agency has made the determination that compression couplings are unsafe” said Chairman Michael L. Williams.
“However as one accident is too many the Railroad Commission has taken a national lead in safety once again. In an abundance of caution we have initiated directives that address not only the use of compression couplings in our state but also other known pipeline safety concerns. In November we required the removal of known compression couplings at service risers. At the same time we began rulemaking that will require more frequent pipeline leak detection and shorter leak repair time frames. Today’s proposals intend to enhance those measures”
