Gas Gathering Line Definition; Alternative Definition for Onshore Lines and New Safety Standards

Summary: This action adopts a consensus standard to distinguish onshore gathering lines from other gas pipelines and production operations. In addition, it establishes safety rules for certain onshore gathering lines in rural areas and revises current rules for certain onshore gathering lines in nonrural areas. Operators will use a new risk-based approach to determine which onshore gathering lines are subject to PHMSA's gas pipeline safety rules and which of these rules the lines must meet. PHMSA intends this action to reduce disagreements over classifications of onshore gathering lines, increase public confidence in the safety of onshore gathering lines, and provide safety rules consistent with the risks of onshore gathering lines.