Texas Pipeline Damage Prevention Statistics
Pipeline Safety ANNOUNCEMENTS
NTO - Updates to T-4 Requirements
January 29, 2025
There are several important updates for T-4 requirements. They are as follows:
- Form C-LTR POPS Cover Letter: The December 2024 version is the most recent and is required.
- T-4B Pipeline Transfer Certification: The August 2024 version is the most recent and is required.
- A Guide to Shapefile Submissions: Version 2024.12.12 is the most recent.
- Amendments to 16 TAC 3.70 have been adopted as of December 9, 2024. The adoption notes can be found here:
https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?$locale=en_US&interface=VIEW_TAC_SUMMARY&queryAsDate=01%2F14%2F2025&recordId=222535. - Per 16 TAC 3.70(r)(1), operators with active intrastate natural gas gathering pipelines must amend their T-4 permits by March 31, 2025, to include the required attributes and indicate the appropriate Type of A, B, C, or R. Failure to do so could result in a $5,000 penalty per permit in accordance with 16 TAC 3.70(p).
- Per 16 TAC 3.70(r)(2), 2025 renewal applications submitted for all intrastate gas permits must include an attestation statement regarding the natural gas gathering requirements.
- To assist operators with the attestation statement requirement, a sample Form C-LTR POPS Cover Letter has been pre-filled with statements in the Additional Information section on page 3 of the form. Operators should delete the statements that do not apply. The sample 2025 Renewal C-LTR is available for download in the Other Samples section on this page: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/pipeline-safety/pipeline-safety-forms/#PipelinePermitting.
Updated resources can be found on our Permitting & Mapping web page here: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/pipeline-safety/permitting-and-mapping/.
If there are any questions, please contact us at POPS@rrc.texas.gov or (512) 463-6802.
To view the full notice, visit the RRC website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/bg5lrc4e/2025-nto-t-4-requirements-updates_01-02-2025.pdf
Overview
Printable Overview
What we do
The Oversight and Safety Division has responsibility for Alternative Fuels, Gas Services and Pipeline Safety. This reorganization in January 2015 will bring even greater efficiency and consistency to these operations within the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), allowing the agency to better serve the state.
Texas has the largest pipeline infrastructure in the nation, representing about 1/6 of the total pipeline mileage of the entire United States. Texas’ pipelines are divided into the categories of natural gas and LP-gas distribution lines, hazardous liquid and natural gas transmission lines, hazardous liquid and natural gas regulated gathering lines, intrastate production and gathering lines leaving a lease, and interstate lines. The RRC has safety responsibility over the first four categories.
Pipelines that cross between states are considered Interstate and would be under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) - Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The PHMSA southwest regional office located in Houston covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The Pipeline Safety department works to enforce compliance with federal and state laws and regulations by pipeline operators. These regulatory responsibilities extend to operators of intrastate gathering, transmission, distribution, and master-metered systems. The RRC continues to lead the nation in adopting and enforcing safety rules to enhance the integrity of pipelines throughout the state.
Pipeline Safety rules administered by the RRC are adopted in the Texas Administrative Code, containing State specific requirements and incorporates by reference the minimum Federal safety standards for transportation of gas and hazardous liquids by pipeline and liquefied natural gas facilities.
The RRC also promotes and enforces an underground pipeline damage prevention program for Texas. The Pipeline Safety department is responsible for the enforcement of damage prevention regulations involving the movement of earth (excavation) surrounding pipeline facilities.
The goal of the Pipeline Safety department is to encourage an efficient, economical, and safe pipeline industry; to that end, we oversee pipeline activities to ensure compliance with state and federal safety regulations and promote public safety and awareness.
Commissioners
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Christi Craddick
Chairman -
Wayne Christian
Commissioner -
Jim Wright
Commissioner
Audiences