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Crosstex Integrity Management Programs
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In-Line Inspection | Pressure Testing | Direct Assessment | More Information

Maintaining and Enhancing Pipeline Integrity

Crosstex has prepared this summary of its' Integrity Management Plan in conformance with the U.S. Department of Transportation 49 CFR 192 Subpart O and 195.452 Integrity Management of its' Transmission Pipeline Systems in High Consequence Areas (HCA’s).

This document is intended to provide external communication to the various stakeholders, including:

  • Landowners and Tenants along the Pipeline System Rights-of-Way
  • Public Officials
  • Emergency Responders
  • General Public
The purpose of this document is to provide such parties with a general summary of the Crosstex Integrity Management program and a contact for additional information.

Crosstex Energy’s Integrity Management Programs

Because so much is riding on the safety of Crosstex Energy’s pipeline system, extensive measures are taken to ensure the integrity of pipelines operated by Crosstex. The Integrity program actually starts before the pipeline is ever built and continues throughout its life.

How does Crosstex Energy prepare its pipelines for installation?

Only high-strength steel pipe that meets or exceeds standards established by the natural gas industry and the federal and state governments are employed in high pressure service. The steel pipe is coated with materials suitable to soil compositions to prevent external corrosion of the line. After construction and prior to operation, the pipe weld joints are x-rayed, as well as hydrostatically pressure tested in such a manner to comply with industries construction standards.

How often is Crosstex Energy’s system monitored?

Most of our pipeline systems are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from our gas control centers via our Supervisor Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. These centers continuously monitor flow, pressure and other data associated with our monitored pipeline system(s).

Crosstex gas control centers are also key locations for our emergency response program. If a significant pressure drop occurs anywhere along a monitored pipeline, our control centers are alerted immediately, and either automatic shutdown devices are tripped or valves are closed to isolate the affected section of pipe.

What is a High Consequence Area (HCA)?

HCA’s are defined by DOT regulations 49 CFR 192.903 and 195 Appendix C. Crosstex has determined the locations of HCA’s along the routes of it’s transmission pipeline systems based on the DOT requirements. Generally, HCA’s are highly-populated areas and areas identified to be sensitive to a potential pipeline failure.

Crosstex can be contacted for detail information on a specific location of HCA’s in a community, or for integrity-related activities in a specific HCA.

Crosstex is interested in being contacted by public officials or the general public regarding new construction that may result in new or expanded HCA’s.

Questions should be directed to the contact listed at the end of this document.

How Does Crosstex Energy Integrity test its pipelines?

 Crosstex Energy has implemented a comprehensive Integrity Management Program to operate, maintain, inspect and assess our pipeline system(s) on an ongoing basis. The Objective of the program is to evaluate the risk of each gas pipeline segment as associated with High Consequence Areas (HCAs) in populated regions, as well as in rural outlying areas. The assessment / testing process helps reduce the probability of accidents in those areas attributable to mechanical integrity and establishes methods to mitigate those risks.

This Integrity Management Program addresses the following:

  • Designate the use of risk-based analysis and/or prescriptive analysis, system by system or segment by segment within a system(s).
  • Develop and maintain a risk-based schedule for pipeline testing.
  • Perform continual data assessment and evaluations.
  • Maximize public safety, prevent or minimize leaks and spills, and prevent property and environmental damage.

Through the program, Crosstex comprehensively evaluates the entire range of probable threats of each pipeline segment by analyzing all available information about the pipeline segment and the consequence of a failure. This comprehensive evaluation includes analyzing information gathered from the following:

  • Identification, integration and evaluation of High Consequence Areas
  • Investigate and mitigate the potential for damage due to excavation and 3 rd part activity
  • Integrate the results of other inspections, tests, surveillance and patrols required by various pipeline safety regulations
  • Perform corrosion control monitoring and cathodic protection surveys

Crosstex takes prompt action to address an integrity issue raised by assessments and analyses. This means Crosstex will evaluate anomalies and repair those defects that could compromise a pipeline's integrity. Our program includes such actions to be taken following an assessment to include:

  • Evaluate anomalies for the potential to become a defect
  • Prioritize defects for evaluation and repair
  • Schedule reasonable time frames for promptly reviewing and analyzing the integrity assessment results and completing the repairs
  • Establish and perform preventive and mitigative measures

What methods of testing does Crosstex utilize?

Crosstex assesses the integrity of the pipelines by utilizing any of the following methods:

  • Internal inspection tool(s) (Smart Pigs)
  • Pressure test
  • Direct assessment
  • Confirmatory direct assessment
  • Other technology that Crosstex demonstrates can provide an equivalent understanding of the condition of the line pipe.

In-line Inspection Tools Utilized at Crosstex

Crosstex utilizes in-line internal inspection tools (Smart Pigs) capable of detecting corrosion and deformation anomalies including dents, gouges and grooves that are appropriate for the particular application. Crosstex may utilize, but not limited to, the following in-line internal inspection tools:

  • Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) tool
  • Transverse Flux tool
  • Caliper / Geometric tool
  • Other tools which technology proves acceptable to the Rule

Pressure Testing

Crosstex conducts pressure tests in accordance with Crosstex's state and federal government procedures.

Pressure testing has long been an industry-accepted method for validating the integrity of pipelines. This integrity assessment method can be both a strength and leak test.

Direct Assessment

Crosstex will utilize, when appropriate, direct assessment of the condition of the line pipe to assess the integrity of the pipe coating and steel anomalies of the line pipe line, as well as confirmatory direct assessment.

Direct assessment is a structured process that utilizes the integration and evaluation of data from many sources and selected field-testing for modeling and analysis to reduce the impact of corrosion threats to a pipeline. Direct assessment may be used in lieu of, or in association with in-line inspection or pressure testing. The methodology includes an external corrosion program, internal corrosion modeling, stress corrosion cracking assessment, as well as integration of historical construction, operating, and maintenance information, combined to provide a detailed assessment of the pipeline. Field pipe excavation inspections are performed to validate assessment and modeling results for accurate remediation, and improved maintenance procedures.

The Crosstex IMP

Crosstex initially prepared a wire-frame Integrity Management written plan that has matured to a comprehensive plan that is structured to comply with Federal and State regulations.

Consistent with Crosstex long-standing commitment to public safety, each integrity plan is reviewed annually for improved compliance and safety to the public.

The basic content of the Crosstex Integrity Management Plan (IM Plans) is overviewed below. Each section represents a major program element or function of the IM Program.

HIGH CONSEQUENCE AREA IDENTIFICATION AND INTEGRATRION

BASELINE ASSESSMENT PLAN

ADDITIONAL PREVENTIVE AND MITIGATIVE MEASURES PLAN

DIRECT ASSESSMENT (ECDA & ICDA) PLAN

REASSESSMENT INTERVALS PLAN

CONFIRMATORY DIRECT ASSESSMENT PLAN

PERFORMANCE PLAN

RECORD KEEPING PLAN

MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE PLAN

QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

STRESS CORROSION CRACKING PLAN

BELL HOLE EXAMINATION PLAN

More Information about the Crosstex Integrity Program

For more in-depth information about the Crosstex Integrity Management plans, testing schedules, or pipeline location maps, please contact Crosstex Energy Services:

Manager of Pipeline Integrity
Crosstex Energy Services
2501 Cedar Springs, Suite 100
Dallas , TX 75201
(214) 953-9500

 
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