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<br />INSPECTIONS BY THE RRC <br /> <br />On average Railroad Commission inspectors conduct 2,500 inspections per year using <br />a risk based evaluation model. In addition our staff works to investigate accidents and <br />complaints involving pipeline facilities. <br /> <br />Pipelines are inspected on a risk-based schedule. Under this schedule, pipelines within <br />the RRC's jurisdiction are inspected every 1 to 5 years while pipelines under federal <br />DOT jurisdiction are inspected every 3 to 7 years. Rural gathering lines are inspected in <br />response to local inquiries or complaints. Additionally, pipeline operators perform <br />routine inspections and assessments of their pipeline systems. <br /> <br />OPERATOR INSPECTIONS AND REPORTS <br /> <br />Some of the inspections and reports required of operators include: <br /> <br />Cathodically protected pipes will be electrically monitored for the proper level of <br />protection at least once each calendar year, but with intervals not exceeding 15 months. <br />When rectifiers are used to provide cathodic protection, they will be inspected six times <br />each calendar year, with intervals not to exceed 2-1/2 months. Cathodic protection <br />helps prevent corrosion in metal pipes. All new construction, replacement, or extensions <br />of underground metallic natural gas and hazardous pipelines are required to be <br />constructed with coated pipe and have a cathodic protection system installed along the <br />entire length of pipe. <br /> <br />Regulators and overpressure equipment are required to be inspected by the operator <br />once a year, not to exceed 15 months. These types of equipment are designed to <br />release either natural gas into the atmosphere or hazardous liquids into an above <br />ground tank in the event of overpressurization. <br /> <br />An odorization sniff test must be performed every three months and corrected if the <br />odor is weak or not detectable. <br /> <br />As part of surveillance and patrolling requirement, every three months the pipeline right- <br />of-way is walked by the operator and observed for factors affecting operation. <br /> <br />Pipeline systems at school facilities have to be tested at least once every two years. <br /> <br />From: Texas and Pipeline Safety - Railroad Commission of Texas Website <br />(http://vvww.rrc.state. tx. us/commissi oners/wi II jams/pipeline_safety. php ) <br />