Pipeline safety; waiver petitions: Exxon Corp.,

[Federal Register: November 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 226)]

[Notices]

[Page 64990]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr24no98-124]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-98-3638; Notice 2]

Pipeline Safety: Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities Petition for Waiver; Exxon Company, USA

On April 22, 1998, the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) published a notice (63 FR 19999) of intention to grant a waiver from compliance with certain provisions of 49 CFR part 193 to Exxon Corporation for its proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage tanks at its existing LaBarge, Wyoming, gas processing operation. This document announces RSPA's withdrawal of the earlier notice on the ground that waiver is unnecessary because the facility is not under 49 CFR Part 193.

The La Barge, Wyoming operation includes two parallel nitrogen rejection units and a small liquefied natural gas (LNG) truck loading facility. Exxon proposes to install two 55,000 gallon LNG storage tanks. These tanks were designed, built, tested, and registered in accordance with the requirements of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, section VIII, Division 1. Exxon requested a waiver from compliance with specific sections of part 193 pertaining to nondestructive test requirements for ASME built vessels and indicated that it would provide equivalent safety through compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 59A.

RSPA previously told Exxon that if the LNG is produced at the gas processing operation ``in the course of natural gas treatment or hydrocarbon extraction'' but not placed in a storage tank prior to putting it into trucks, then 49 CFR 193.2001(b)(2) says the facility is not regulated under 49 CFR part 193. However, the addition of LNG storage tanks brings the facility under 49 CFR part 193.

After revisiting this issue, RSPA has reversed its earlier position. If an LNG production facility does not receive gas from a pipeline subject to 49 CFR part 192 and does not supply gas to such a pipeline, then 49 CFR part 193 is not applicable to that LNG facility. Thus, Exxon's proposed LNG storage/truck loading facility at LaBarge, Wyoming, will not be subject to 49 CFR Part 193. A waiver is not necessary.

Issued in Washington, D.C., on November 18, 1998. Richard B. Felder, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.

[FR Doc. 98-31347Filed11-23-98; 8:45 am]

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