§ 2564. Schedule for Static Liquid Pressure Testing.

(a)(1) No operator may operate any pipeline or pipeline system governed by this Article unless it has successfully completed an SLPT as specified in Section 2565, in accordance with the schedules prescribed in this section.

(2) All pipelines that do not have a valid certified SLPT certificate shall conform with and be marked in accordance with the provisions of subsections 12 and 13 of Section 3109F.2, Division 9 of Title 24, Chapter 31F of the California Code of Regulations.

(b) This subsection (b) applies only to Class I Pipelines.

(1) Every newly installed pipeline or pipeline system shall have undergone a complete and successful SLPT prior to being used for any transfer of oil. Subsequent SLPTs shall be conducted at the appropriate intervals prescribed in subsection (b)(3) of this section.

(2) Every existing pipeline or pipeline system which has any segment relocated or replaced shall undergo a complete and successful SLPT after completion of relocation or replacement and prior to being used for any transfer of oil. Subsequent SLPTs shall be conducted at the appropriate intervals prescribed in subsection (b)(3) of this section. The SLPT requirements of this subsection need not apply to cases where a component other than pipe is being replaced or added to the pipeline system and the manufacturer certifies that either:

(A) The component was successfully tested with an SLPT at the factory where it was manufactured or at the operator's facility; or

(B) The component was manufactured under a quality control system that ensures each component is at least equal in strength to a prototype that was successfully tested with an SLPT at the factory.

(3) Every pipeline or pipeline system shall be subjected to an SLPT within five (5) years of the date of its initial SLPT prescribed in subsection (b)(1) of this section. Subsequent SLPTs shall be carried out in accordance with the following schedule:

(A) For pipelines that do not have an SCPS and are buried or submerged either partially or wholly, at succeeding intervals not exceeding three year cycles from the date of test carried out under subsection (b)(3) of this section;

(B) For pipelines that have an SCPS and are buried or submerged either partially or wholly, at succeeding intervals not exceeding five year cycles from the date of test carried out under subsection (b)(3) of this section; and

(C) For pipelines or segments of pipelines situated entirely above the ground or water, at succeeding intervals not exceeding five year cycles from the date of test carried out under subsection (b)(3) of this section.

(c) This subsection (c) applies only to Class II Pipelines.

(1) Every newly installed pipeline or pipeline system shall undergo a complete and successful SLPT prior to being used for any transfer of oil. Subsequent SLPTs shall be conducted at the appropriate intervals prescribed in subsection (c)(3) of this section.

(2) Every pipeline or pipeline system which has been classified as a Class II pipeline under subsection (b)(1)(A) of Section 2561, shall undergo a complete and successful SLPT after being classified as a Class II pipeline and prior to being used for any transfer of oil. Subsequent SLPTs shall be conducted at the appropriate intervals prescribed in subsection (c)(3) of this section.

(3) In addition to the SLPTs required by either subsections (c)(1) or (2) of this section, subsequent SLPTs shall be conducted at the following intervals:

(A) For pipelines or pipeline systems that do not have an SCPS and are buried or submerged either partially or wholly, at succeeding intervals not exceeding one year cycles from the date of tests conducted under either subsections (c)(1) or (2) of this section, whichever is appropriate.

(B) For pipelines or pipeline systems that have an SCPS and are buried or submerged either partially or wholly, at intervals not exceeding three year cycles from the date of tests conducted under either subsections (c)(1) or (2) of this section, whichever is appropriate.

(C) For pipelines or segments of pipelines situated entirely above the ground or water, at succeeding intervals not exceeding three year cycles from the date of test carried out under either subsections (c)(1) or (2) of this section, whichever is appropriate.

(d) Each operator shall report any pipeline or segment thereof which meets the criteria of Class II pipeline to the local area Division field office within 30 days following the date the pipeline or portion thereof first meets the criteria as a Class II pipeline. Any pipeline determined to meet the criteria as a Class II pipeline which has not been so reported by the operator to the Division shall be deemed to have been a Class II pipeline on the date determined by the Division. The Division may determine that the period during which a Class II pipeline must have no reportable leaks in order to be reclassified as a Class I pipeline under § 2561(b)(2) does not begin until the required notice is given. Any operator failing to submit such notification report as required shall, as in the case of any violation of any provision of this article, be subject to enforcement actions prescribed under §§ 8670.57 through 8670.69.6 of the Government Code.

(e) Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (c) of this section and subject to the approval of the Division Chief, an operator may implement an alternative method to assure the integrity of a segment of pipeline classified as Class II. When this alternative method has been implemented to the satisfaction of the Division Chief, the pipeline may be classified as a Class I pipeline.

(f) Alternative test methods, including, but not limited to, inspection by instrumented internal inspection devices, may be approved by the Division Chief on an individual basis. In approving an alternative to an SLPT, the Division Chief may require that the alternative test be conducted more frequently than the testing schedules specified in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

(g) Notwithstanding the testing schedules specified in subsections (b) through (f) of this section, and in the event that the reported test results on a particular pipeline subject to this Article do not provide sufficient information as required by 2 CCR Section 2567(b), to the Division Chief to determine whether the affected pipeline could be the source of a discharge of oil or pose a threat to public health and safety or the environment, the Division Chief may require the terminal operator either:

(1) To provide any extra information to substantiate that a successful SLPT has been conducted; or

(2) To undergo an SLPT or any other non-destructive test or inspection.

(h) An operator may request that the Division Chief authorize the use of a test medium other than water or liquid hydrocarbon with a flash point greater than 140^o Fahrenheit. Such request must be submitted in writing at least 10 working days prior to beginning the SLPT. Such an alternative may be authorized where the Division Chief deems that it would provide a reasonably equivalent or better means of testing and that there will be no detriment to the public health, safety and the environment.

(i) In all cases where a liquid hydrocarbon is used as a test medium, the terminal operator shall provide the Division Chief with the liquid bulk modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion of the test medium at least three working days prior to the test.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 8-12-97; operative 9-1-97 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 97, No. 33).

2. Amendment designating former subsection (a) as subsection (a)(1) and new subsections (a)(2) and (i) filed 2-2-2007; operative 3-4-2007 (Register 2007, No. 5).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 8755 and 8757, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 8751, 8752, 8755, 8756 and 8757, Public Resources Code.