Part V. Gathering Pipelines
Article 6
Plugging and Abandonment
4VAC25-150-720. Applicability; gathering pipelines.
A. Part V (4VAC25-150-720 et seq.) of this chapter sets forth requirements unique to gathering pipelines. Permittees must comply with the standards for gathering pipelines in this part and the following standards in Part I:
1. All of Article 1, "General Information"; except 4VAC25-150-50, "Gas or oil in holes not permitted as a gas or oil well";
2. All of Article 2, "Permitting"; except 4VAC25-150-90, "Plats";
3. All of the sections in Article 3, "Enforcement";
4. 4VAC25-150-220, "Annual reports," of Article 4, "Reporting";
5. 4VAC25-150-230, 4VAC25-150-240, 4VAC25-150-250, 4VAC25-150-260, 4VAC25-150-270, 4VAC25-150-310, 4VAC25-150-350, 4VAC25-150-380, 4VAC25-150-410, 4VAC25-150-420, and 4VAC25-150-430 of Article 5, "Technical Standards"; and
6. 4VAC25-150-470, "Release of bond," of Article 6, "Plugging and Abandonment."
B. A permit shall be required for installation and operation of every gathering pipeline and associated structures for the movement of gas or oil production from the wellhead to a previously permitted gathering line, a transmission or other line regulated by the United States Department of Transportation or the State Corporation Commission, to the first point of sale, or for oil, to a temporary storage facility for future transportation by a method other than a gathering pipeline.
C. Each gathering pipeline or gathering pipeline system may be permitted separately from gas or oil wells or may be included in the permit for the well being served by the pipeline.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-361.27 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-22.1 § 5.1, eff. September 25, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 2, eff. November 11, 1998; Volume 29, Issue 3, eff. November 8, 2012; Volume 30, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2013.
4VAC25-150-730. General requirements for gathering pipelines.
A. Gathering pipelines shall be installed to be compatible with other uses of the area.
B. No permit shall be issued for a gathering pipeline to be installed closer than 100 feet from any inhabited building or railway, unless site conditions as approved by the director warrant the use of a lesser distance and there exists a lease or agreement between the operator and the owner of the inhabited building or railway. A copy of the lease or agreement shall accompany the application for a permit.
C. Materials used in gathering pipelines shall be able to withstand anticipated conditions. At a minimum this shall include:
1. All plastic gathering pipeline connections shall be fused, not coupled.
2. All buried gathering pipelines shall be detectable by magnetic or other remote means from the surface.
D. All new gathering pipelines shall be tested to maintain a minimum of 110% of anticipated pressure prior to being placed into service.
E. All gathering pipelines shall be maintained in good operating condition at all times.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-361.27 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-22.1 § 5.2, eff. September 25, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 2, eff. November 11, 1998; Volume 29, Issue 3, eff. November 8, 2012; Volume 30, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2013.
4VAC25-150-740. Operations plans for gathering pipelines.
A. For a gathering pipeline, the operations plan shall be in a format approved by, or on a form prescribed by, the director.
B. On a form prescribed by the director, the operator shall indicate how risks to the public safety or to the site and adjacent lands are to be managed, and shall provide a short narrative, if pertinent.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-361.27 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-22.1 § 5.3, eff. September 25, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 2, eff. November 11, 1998; Volume 29, Issue 3, eff. November 8, 2012; Volume 30, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2013.
4VAC25-150-750. Inspections for gathering pipelines.
Gathering pipelines shall be visually inspected annually by the permittee. The results of each annual inspection shall be maintained by the permittee for a minimum of three years and be submitted to the director upon request.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-361.27 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-22.1 § 5.4, eff. September 25, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 3, eff. November 8, 2012; Volume 30, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2013.