(a) Assessment methods. An operator must assess the integrity of the line pipe in each covered segment by applying one or more of the following methods for each threat to which the covered segment is susceptible. An operator must select the method or methods best suited to address the threats identified to the covered segment (See Section 255.917 of this Part).
(1) Internal inspection tool or tools capable of detecting those threats to which the covered segment is susceptible. The use of internal inspection tools is appropriate for threats such as corrosion, deformation and mechanical damage (including dents, gouges and grooves), material cracking and cracklike defects (e.g., stress corrosion cracking, selective seam weld corrosion, environmentally assisted cracking, and girth weld cracks), hard spots with cracking, and any other threats to which the covered segment is susceptible. When performing an assessment using an in-line inspection tool, An operator must comply with Section 255.493 of this Part. In addition, an operator must analyze and account for uncertainties in reported results (e.g., tool tolerance, detection threshold, probability of detection, probability of identification, sizing accuracy, conservative anomaly interaction criteria, location accuracy, anomaly findings, and unity chart plots or equivalent for determining uncertainties and verifying actual tool performance) in identifying and characterizing anomalies;
(2) Pressure test conducted in accordance with the testing requirements of this Part. The use of the testing requirements of this Part is appropriate for threats such as internal corrosion; external corrosion and other environmentally assisted corrosion mechanisms; manufacturing and related defects threats, including defective pipe and pipe seams; stress corrosion cracking; selective seam weld corrosion; dents; and other forms of mechanical damage. An operator must use the test pressures specified in Table 3 of Section 5 of ASME/ANSI B31.8S, to justify an extended reassessment interval in accordance with Section 255.939 of this Part;
(3) Spike hydrostatic pressure test conducted in accordance with Section 255.506 of this Part. The use of spike hydrostatic pressure testing is appropriate for time dependent threats such as stress corrosion cracking; selective seam weld corrosion; manufacturing and related defects, including defective pipe and pipe seams; and other forms of defect or damage involving cracks or crack-like defects;
(4) Excavation and in situ direct examination by means of visual examination, direct measurement, and recorded non-destructive examination results and data needed to assess all threats. Based upon the threat assessed, examples of appropriate non-destructive examination methods include ultrasonic testing (UT), phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), inverse wave field extrapolation (IWEX), radiography, and magnetic particle inspection (MPI);
(5) Guided wave ultrasonic testing (GWUT). The use of GWUT is appropriate for internal and external pipe wall loss;
(6) Direct assessment to address threats of external corrosion, internal corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. The use of direct assessment to address threats of external corrosion, internal corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking is allowed only if appropriate for the threat and the pipeline segment being assessed. Use of direct assessment for threats other than the threat for which the direct assessment method is suitable is not allowed. An operator must conduct the direct assessment in accordance with the requirements listed in Section 255.923 of this Part and with, as applicable, the requirements specified in Sections 255.925, 255.927 and 255.929 of this Part; or
(7) Other technology that an operator demonstrates can provide an equivalent understanding of the condition of the line pipe for each of the threats to which the pipeline is susceptible. An operator must notify the Department in advance of using the other technology in accordance with Section 255.18 of this Part.
(b) Prioritizing segments. An operator must prioritize the covered pipeline segments for the baseline assessment according to a risk analysis that considers the potential threats to each covered segment. The risk analysis must comply with the requirements in Section 255.917 of this Part.
(c) Assessment for particular threats. In choosing an assessment method for the baseline assessment of each covered segment, an operator must take the actions required in Section 255.917(e) of this Part to address particular threats that it has identified.
(d) Time period. An operator must prioritize all the covered segments for assessment in accordance with Section 255.917(c) of this Part and Subdivision (b) above. An operator must assess at least 50% of the covered segments beginning with the highest risk segments, by December 17, 2007. An operator must complete the baseline assessment of all covered segments by December 17, 2012.
(e) Prior assessment. An operator may use a prior integrity assessment conducted before December 17, 2002 as a baseline assessment for the covered segment, if the integrity assessment meets the baseline requirements in this Part and subsequent remedial actions to address the conditions listed in Section 255.933 of this Part have been carried out. In addition, if an operator uses this prior assessment as its baseline assessment, the operator must reassess the line pipe in the covered segment according to the requirements of Sections 255.937 and 255.939 of this Part.
(f) Newly identified areas. When an operator identifies a new high consequence area (see Section 255.905 of this Part), an operator must complete the baseline assessment of the line pipe in the newly identified high consequence area within ten (10) years from the date the area is identified.
(g) Newly installed pipe. An operator must complete the baseline assessment of a newly installed segment of pipe covered by this Part within ten (10) years from the date the pipe is installed. An operator may conduct a pressure test in accordance with Paragraph (a)(2) of this Section, to satisfy the requirement for a baseline assessment.
(h) Plastic transmission pipeline. If the threat analysis required in Section 255.917(d) of this Part on a plastic transmission pipeline indicates that a covered segment is susceptible to failure from causes other than third-party damage, an operator must conduct a baseline assessment of the segment in accordance with the requirements of this section and of Section 255.917 of this Part. The operator must justify the use of an alternative assessment method that will address the identified threats to the covered segment.
(i) Baseline assessments for pipeline segments with a reconfirmed MAOP. An integrity assessment conducted in accordance with the requirements of Section 255.624(c) of this Part may be used as a baseline assessment under this Section.