[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 152 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42478-42479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21178]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
Potential Computer Problems Related to the Year 2000 (Y2K)
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of advisory bulletin.
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RSPA is issuing an advisory bulletin to owners and operators of
Hazardous Liquid and Natural Gas Pipelines. The bulletin advises the
industry about the potential for Year 2000 (Y2K) computer-related
problems.
ADDRESSES: This document can be viewed on the Office of Pipeline Safety
(OPS) home page at: http://ops.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Little, (202) 366-4569.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Office of Pipeline Safety regulations do not require operators to
automate their safety-related functions; however, many pipeline
operators rely on computers for these needs. Some computer systems may
fail in the Year 2000 because the programs, hardware, and data files
may misread the digits ``00'' as 1900 rather than 2000.
Until recently, the computer industry was not focused on the change
in the millennium and the two extra digits required to show the change
to the year 2000. The date fields for most computer programs were
designed with six digits: two each for the year, month, and day; ``19''
was implied. In the Year 2000, some computers will record the year
``00'' and will interpret it as the year ``1900.'' Some hardware may
also contain components that do not recognize the new millennium. These
date calculations may be embedded in controllers that operate pipeline
equipment. There is the possibility that a Year 2000 (Y2K) problem
could cause this equipment to malfunction. In most cases, operators
must evaluate their system-by-system operations to determine if there
is a Y2K problem in their hardware or software. Most pipeline operators
are aware of the potential for Y2K computer-related problems and have
already taken steps to address the issue.
II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-98-01 )
To: Owners and Operators of Hazardous Liquid and Natural Gas
Pipelines
Subject: Potential Failure of Computer Systems Controlling Pipeline
Operations.
Purpose: Inform system owners and operators of the need to evaluate
their computer hardware and software for potential problems relating to
Year 2000 (Y2K).
Advisory: Recent information has identified a computer problem that
may affect pipeline operations. Computers may interpret the date
``2000'' as 1900, which could result in the shutdown or interruption of
any computer operated system. The Office of Pipeline Safety urges all
pipeline owners and operators who have not already done so to address
this issue because of the risk that it may interfere with their
operations.
The Office Of Pipeline Safety is working with the Oil and Gas
Sector Workgroup of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion to
help assess Y2K readiness among the oil and gas industries and offer
assistance by coordinating outreach activities, identifying points of
contact within trade associations, and developing a forum for sharing
information. Pipeline operators who have not implemented a plan for
assessing their Y2K readiness should do so as soon as possible.
Pipeline industry trade associations can offer assistance on this
issue. The American Petroleum Institute (API), the Natural Gas Council
(NGC), and the Gas Industry Standards Board (GISB) have agreed to serve
as umbrella organizations for the oil and gas sector; they will
coordinate Y2K information for the industry and workgroup use. The
President's Council on Y2K has a web page at http://www.y2k.gov that
provides an update on the Council's activities and other useful
information.
The industry is encouraged to seek advice from and share
information and practical solutions with the three umbrella
organizations and the industry trade association representatives on the
Oil and Gas Y2K Workgroup (listed below). Contact Roger Little with the
Office of Pipeline Safety at (202)-366-4569 or your state pipeline
safety organization if you have questions regarding this advisory.
Umbrella Organizations
American Petroleum Institute, Kendra Martin, Phone: (202) 682-8517,
Fax: (202) 962-4730, E-mail: [email protected].
Natural Gas Council, Skip Horvath, Phone: (202) 216-5920, Fax: (202)
[[Page 42479]]
216-0874, E-mail: [email protected]
Gas Industry Standards Board, Rae McQuade, Phone: (713) 757-4175, Fax:
(713) 757-2491, E-mail: [email protected].
Industry Trade Associations
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, Terry Boss, (202) 216-
5930
American Gas Association, Gary Gardner, (703) 841-8515
American Public Gas Association, Bob Cave, (703) 352-3890
Gas Processors Association, Johnny Dreyer, 918-493-7047
Association of Oil Pipe Lines, Michele Joy, Phone: (202) 408-7970
American Petroleum Institute, Kendra Martin, Phone: (202) 682-8517
State Pipeline Safety Organizations
National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (Call Roger
Little at (202) 366-4569 if you need the number of your state pipeline
safety representative)
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Sally
Allbright, (202) 898-2200
Issued in Washington, D.C., on August 3, 1998.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 98-21178 Filed 8-6-98; 8:45 am]
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