Mr. Mark Shires

Senior Vice President of Operations

Plains Pipeline, L.P.

333 Clay Street

Houston, TX  77002

 

Re:  CPF No. 4-2004-5029

 

Dear Mr. Shires:

 

Enclosed is the Final Order issued by the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety in the above-referenced case.  It makes a finding of violation and finds that you have completed the actions specified in the Notice to comply with the pipeline safety regulations.  This case is now closed.  Your receipt of this Final Order constitutes service of that document under

49 C.F.R. § 190.5.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

James Reynolds

Pipeline Compliance Registry

Office of Pipeline Safety

 

Enclosure

 

CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

 

 

 

 

 

 


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY

WASHINGTON, DC  20590

 

 

______________________________

                                                            )

In the Matter of                                    )

                                                            )

Plains Pipeline, L.P.,                             )                                   CPF No. 4-2004-5029

                                                            )

Respondent                                          )

______________________________)

 

 

FINAL ORDER

 

On June 14 - 18, 2004, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60117, a representative of the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) conducted an on-site pipeline safety inspection of Respondent’s pipeline system from Colorado City, Texas to Healdton, Oklahoma.  As a result of the inspection, the Director, Southwest Region, OPS, issued to Respondent, by letter dated October 15, 2004, a Notice of Probable Violation and Proposed Compliance Order (Notice).  In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the Notice proposed finding that Respondent had committed a violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.581 and proposed that Respondent take certain measures to correct the alleged violation.

 

Respondent responded to the Notice by letter dated November 11, 2004 (Response).  Respondent did not contest the allegation of violation and provided information concerning the corrective actions it has taken.  Respondent did not request a hearing, and therefore has waived its right to one.

 

FINDING OF VIOLATION

 

In its Response, Respondent did not contest the violation alleged in the Notice.  Accordingly, I find that Respondent violated the following section of 49 C.F.R. Part 195, as more fully described in the Notice:

 

49 C.F.R. § 195.581 – failing to provide adequate coating to prevent atmospheric corrosion on portions of pipeline exposed to the atmosphere at the Archer Valve site and the Ryan Booster Station.

 

This finding of violation will be considered a prior offense in any subsequent enforcement action taken against Respondent.

 

 

COMPLIANCE ORDER

 

The Notice proposed a compliance order with respect to the violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.581.  Under 49 U.S.C. § 60118(a), each person who engages in the transportation of hazardous liquids or who owns or operates a pipeline facility is required to comply with the applicable safety standards established under Chapter 601.  The Director, Southwest Region, OPS has indicated that Respondent has taken the following actions specified in the Proposed Compliance Order:

 

Respondent has cleaned and coated the necessary portions of pipe at the Archer Valve site and the motor-operated valve at the Ryan Booster Station in accordance with

49 C.F.R. § 195.581.

 

Accordingly, since compliance has been achieved with respect to this violation, it is not necessary to include the compliance terms in this Order. 

 

The terms and conditions of this Final Order are effective on receipt.

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________                                        __________________

Stacey Gerard                                                                                                  Date Issued

Associate Administrator

    for Pipeline Safety