PHMSA - Pipeline Guidance

Pipeline Guidance

This listing is provided as part of the Pipeline Safety Office's ongoing efforts to provide easy access to commonly used guidance. The following documents are not significant or economically significant as defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Final Bulletin for Agency Good Guidance Practices.

Agency Guidance

PHMSA Agency Guidance

Pipeline Safety Guidance

	Stay of Enforcement
	Stay the enforcement of the requirements of 49 CFR §§ 192.7 and 195.3 to use API Specification 5L “Specification for Line Pipe” (43rd edition and errata, 2004) and API 1104 “Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities” (19th edition, 1999 including Errata October 31, 2001)

	Pipeline Advisory Bulletins
	PHMSA uses Advisory Bulletins to inform affected pipeline operators and all Federal and State pipeline safety personnel of matters that have the potential of becoming safety and/or environmental risks.

	Letters of Interpretation
	Pipeline Safety provides written clarifications of the Regulations (49 CFR Parts 186-199) in the form of interpretation letters.

	Special Permits
	Operator petitions for Special Permits (formerly "Waivers") from regulations.

	Onshore Gas Gathering FAQ (PDF)
	This set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) is intended to clarify, explain, and promote better understanding of the Gas Gathering Line rules. Find more information and FAQs at Pipeline Regulations.

	Gas Integrity Management
	This website provides information to regulators and pipeline operators on Gas Integrity Mangement including information on PHMSA's inspection and enforcement of the Gas IM Rule. It includes links to guideance on Gas IM protocols and an extensive Gas IM FAQ.

	Hazardous Liquid Integrity Mangement
	This website provides infromation to regulators and pipeline operators on Hazardous Liquid Integrity Management including information on PHMSA's inspection and enforcement of the HL IM Rule. It includes links to guidance on HL IM protocols and an extensive HL IM FAQ.

	Small Natural Gas Systems Manual
	The natural gas pipeline industry consists of transmission and distribution companies. These pipeline systems can be simple or complicated. However, all gas pipeline companies are held to the same safety standards.

	Small LP Gas Systems Manual
	This manual for operators of small LP gas systems was developed to provide an overview of pipeline compliance responsibilities under the Federal pipeline safety regulations. It is designed for the non-technically trained person who operates a master meter system, a small municipal system, or small independent system.

	Response Options for Pipeline Operations in Compliance Proceedings
	Options and guidance for operators involved in compliance proceedings.

	Drug and Alcohol Program
	Policy and investigation to deter and detect illegal drug use and alcohol misuse in the pipeline industry.

	Pipeline Safety Initiatives
	Risk Management, R&D, programs/initiatives for mandated regulatory and enforcement responsibilities.

	Training & Qualifications pages
	For industry, the regulator, and the inspector.

Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)