API RP 80-2000 pdf free download

API RP 80-2000 pdf free download.Guidance for the Definition of Onshore Gas Gathering Lines.
1 General 1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This industry standard provides a functional description of onshore gas gathering pipelines for the sole purpose of pro- viding users with a practical guide for determining the appli- cation of the definition of gas gathering in the federal Gas Pipeline Safety Standards, 49 CFR Part 192 , and state pro- grams implementing these standards. The definition of “gas gathering” reflects the varied nature of the gas industry throughout the country. Because of the regional and operational diversity within the gas industry, additional guidance—either within the regulation or through incorporation of a recognized industry standard—is neces- sary to ensure appropriate and consistent application of the gas gathering line definition. This Recommended Practice was developed as such a standard through the joint efforts of the regulated community. 1.2 BACKGROUND 1.2.1 A definition for “gathering line” was adopted as part of the federal Gas Pipeline Safety Standards in August 1970 to implement the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968. The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) issued a Notice of Pro- posed Rulemaking (Docket No. OPS-31, Notice 74-7; 39 Fed. Reg. 34569) on September 20, 1974, to clarify this defi- nition. Notice 74-7 was subsequently withdrawn because OPS determined that many words and phrases in the proposal were open to varied interpretation. On September 25, 1991, OPS again published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Docket No. PS-122, Notice 1; 56 Fed. Reg. 48505) to revise the regulatory definition of “gathering line.” A significant number of comments that opposed adoption of the definition as proposed were filed with the agency. 1.2.2 The Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-105), enacted October 24, 1992, and amended in 1996, directed the Department of Transportation (DOT) to define the term “gathering line” in its gas pipeline safety regulations and to consider the merit of revising pipeline safety regulation of such lines.
1.3 HOW TO USE THIS RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 1.3.1 In addition to the text of the definitions of “gathering line” (2.2), “production operation” (2.3), and supplemental terms (2.4), the following information constitutes an integral part of these definitions: • “Decision Trees” (Appendix A) • Representative Applications (Appendix B) 1.3.2 The “Decision Trees” in Appendix A are graphical, logical representations of the “gathering line” definition. They were developed to help users understand and apply this definition. 1.3.3 The “Representative Applications” in Appendix B include both narrative and schematic descriptions of typi- cal gas gathering systems and production operations. Every effort has been made to define critical terms, but the illustrated applications make the meaning much clearer than would otherwise be the case. The applications pro- vide an extremely useful tool to help people with varying levels of experience with gas gathering to correctly and consistently interpret the definitions in this Recommended Practice. These real-life applications clarify the intent of the definitions with respect to many different facility con- figurations. Note: These illustrations are not intended to describe every possible onshore gas gathering system or produc- tion operation configuration. They simply represent some typical examples for facilities located throughout the United States and the manner in which the “gas gather- ing” and “production operation” definitions are applied to those facilities.
2.2.1 Basic “Gathering Line” Definitional Concepts The gathering of gas from multiple production operations can be a complex procedure. In many locations, one or more of the processes that may occur in the production operation may also occur downstream in the gathering function. The introduction of gas of varying quality into a gathering system may require further treatment/processing before the gas can be delivered into another pipeline or facility downstream of the gathering line. Because a gathering system may extend over a large geographical area, it is not uncommon for taps on gathering systems to serve numerous residential consumers as well as to make intermediate deliveries to local distribution facilities or large volume end users. In determining where a gathering line ends, two important concepts are considered—the concepts of “function” and “furthermost downstream.” 2.2.1.1 Function “Function” recognizes that a gathering line continues to fulfill the gathering function until it reaches a defined and rec- ognized endpoint regardless of intermediate processes and/or deliveries along the line. Because gas flowing into a gathering line from various locations may be of differing quality and flowing pressure, it is sometimes necessary to subject the gas stream to one or more intermediate processes. This is usually done to maintain efficient operation of the gathering line and/ or maintain pressure in the line which will not result in an unacceptable back pressure on production or tributary gather- ing lines flowing into the gathering line. Regardless of the intermediate processes and/or deliveries that may occur along a gathering line, the gathering function—and therefore the gathering line—continues until the line terminates at a defined and recognized endpoint.