NEW DISTRIBUTION INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (DIMP)

REQUIREMENTS FOR GAS DISTRIBUTION PIPELINES

On December 4, 2009, the Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration amended the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act to require operators of gas distribution pipelines to develop and implement Integrity Management (IM) programs.  The stated purpose of these programs is to enhance safety by identifying and reducing pipeline integrity risks.  The final rule took effect February 2, 2010.  Gas distribution operators must develop and implement an Integrity Management program that includes a written Integrity Management plan as specified in 49 CFR Part 192 Paragraph 192.1007 no later than August 2, 2011. The purpose of the IM program for distribution pipelines is to enhance safety by identifying and reducing pipeline integrity risk.  The rule uses a simple risk-based approach to pipeline integrity; however, obtaining all the pertinent data for development of the program may prove to be very difficult for many operators. With the development of commercially available model plans, creation of a written Distribution Integrity Management plan should not be complicated, while remaining economically feasible.  Southern Cathodic Protection is ready to assist in obtaining the data for populating these model plans.  Call us today. Together, we can make a difference in pipeline safety.

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