Rule 26-3-1.10 - APPROVAL PROCEDURE FOR OIL AND GAS PIPELINES The Supervisor shall approve a plan for installation of all pipelines for which a right of use or easement has been granted by the State, or permitted under the provisions of any lease, in or over submerged offshore lands. The operator shall comply with the following requirements:
1. General Design All pipelines shall be designed and maintained in accordance with the following:
A. The operator shall be responsible for the installation of the following control devices on all oil and gas pipelines connected to a platform, including pipelines which are not operated or owned by the operator. The operator shall submit records to the Supervisor semi-annually showing the present status and past history of each device, including dates and details of inspection, testing, repairing, adjustment and re- installation:(1) All oil and gas pipelines leaving a platform receiving production from the platform shall be equipped with a high-low pressure sensor to directly or indirectly shut-in the wells on the platform.(2)(a) All oil and gas pipelines delivering production to production facilities on a platform shall be equipped with an automatic shut-in valve connected to the platform's automatic and remote shut-in system.(b) All oil and gas pipelines coming onto a platform shall be equipped with a check valve to avoid backflow.(c) Any oil or gas pipelines crossing a platform which do not deliver production to the platform, but which may or may not receive production from the platform, shall be equipped with high- low pressure sensors to activate an automatic shut-in valve to be located in the upstream portion of the pipeline at the platform. This automatic shut-in valve shall be connected to either the platform automatic and remote shut-in system or to an independent remote shut- in system.(d) All pipeline pumps shall be equipped with high-low pressure shut-in devices.B. All pipelines shall be protected from loss of metal by corrosion that would endanger the strength and safety of the lines either by providing extra metal for corrosion allowance, or by some means of preventing loss of metal such as protective coatings or cathodic protection.C. All pipelines shall be installed and maintained to be compatible with trawling operations and other uses.D. All pipelines shall be hydrostatically tested to one and twenty-five one-hundredths (1.25) times the designed working pressure for a minimum of two (2) hours prior to placing the line in service.E. All pipelines shall be maintained in good operating condition at all times and inspected monthly for indication of leakage using aircraft, floating equipment or other methods. Records of these inspections including the date, methods and results of each inspection shall be maintained by the pipeline operator and submitted annually by April 1. The pipeline operator shall submit records indicating the cause, effect and remedial action taken regarding all pipeline leaks within one (1) week following each such occurrence.F. All pipelines shall be designed to be protected against water currents, storm scouring, soft bottoms and other environmental factors.2. Application The operator shall submit in duplicate the following to the Supervisor for approval:
A. Drawing on 8-1/2" x 11" plat or plats showing the major features and other pertinent data, including: (1) water depth, (2) route, (3) location, (4) length, (5) connecting facilities, (6) size and (7) burial depth, if buried.B. A schematic drawing showing the following pipeline safety equipment and the manner in which the equipment functions: (1) High-low pressure sensors,(2) Automatic shut-in valves, andC. General information concerning the pipeline including the following: (1) Product or products to be transported by the pipeline.(2) Size, weight and grade of the pipe.(5) Type or types of corrosion protection.(6) Description of protective coating.(7) Bulk specific gravity of line (with the line empty).(8) Anticipated gravity or density of the product or products.(9) Design working pressure and capacity.(10) Maximum working pressure and capacity.(11) Hydrostatic pressure and hold time to which the line will be tested after installation.(12) Size and location of pumps and prime movers.(13) Any other pertinent information as the Supervisor may prescribe.3. Completion Report The operator shall notify the Supervisor when installation of the pipeline is completed and submit a drawing on 8-1/2" x 11" plats showing the location of the line as installed, and also submit the original hydrostatic pressure test including procedure, test pressure, hold time, and results.
MCA Section 53-1-17(3) (1972)