Agency Urges Smarter Risk Models for Gas Pipelines
Published Date: 7/13/2026
Notice
Summary
This notice reminds gas pipeline owners and operators to boost their safety checks by using smarter risk models and focusing on high-risk pipes and leak fixes. It’s all about making gas delivery safer and more reliable, following important safety recommendations. These improvements should be put into action soon, helping protect communities without extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
PHMSA Urges Probabilistic Risk Models
PHMSA tells owners and operators of gas distribution systems to adopt the most appropriate risk models for their Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP), including full consideration of probabilistic risk models. The advisory cites PHMSA's 2020 Risk Modeling Report and urges operators to consider probabilistic models as a best practice for decision making.
Account for Interactive Threats and Age
PHMSA reminds operators to evaluate and rank risks in their DIMP by accounting for interactive threats (for example, weather plus corrosion) and time-dependent factors like pipeline age and legacy materials. The advisory urges DIMP evaluations to identify where interacting threats may increase both likelihood and consequence of failures.
Follow ANSI/GPTC Z380.1 2022 Updates
PHMSA urges operators to review and use updates to ANSI/GPTC Z380.1, 2022 Edition, specifically Addendum 2 and Addendum 4, which include guidance on interactive threats, time-dependent degradation, emergency plans for non-typical soil conditions, and special one-time leak surveys. Operators are encouraged to incorporate these updates into their DIMP or use other approaches that meet 49 CFR part 192, subpart P.
DIMP Re-evaluations: Max Five-Year Rule
PHMSA reminds operators that under 49 CFR 192.1007(f) they must re-evaluate their DIMP at an interval determined to be appropriate but not to exceed five years. PHMSA further urges operators to update risk assessments as frequently as each calendar year when there is new knowledge or factors that alter the risk of failure.
Maintain DIMP Records for 10 Years
PHMSA reminds operators they must maintain records demonstrating compliance with DIMP requirements under Sec. 192.1011 for at least 10 years. Records may include documents supporting threat identification, risk analysis, identified interactive threats, and measures taken to reduce risk.
Guidance Is Advisory, Not Binding
PHMSA states this advisory bulletin is guidance only and does not create new legal duties, enforceable rights, or serve as an independent basis for enforcement or penalties. Operators are reminded the advisory is intended to clarify existing obligations, not to impose new ones.
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Key Dates
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