.-(1) Before transporting petroleum for the first time, each pipeline or completed sections thereof shall be filled with water and the pressure in the line or section, as the case may be, raised to 1.1 times the design internal pressure and maintained for a period of at least 24 hours or as per procedure laid down in the relevant pipelines design code recognised by Chief Controller. A pipeline or a section thereof showing any significant drop of pressure during the period of testing shall not be used for transporting petroleum until necessary repairs have been carried out and satisfactory retest done.(2)The test specified in sub-rule (1) shall be carried out atleast once every 12 months in each completed pipeline section which crosses an area where there is danger of water pollution by any leakage:Provided that the Chief Controller may, subject to such conditions as may be specified by him in this behalf, allow retesting of such sections of the pipelines as are protected by sleeves or otherwise-(i)to contain or prevent leakage at longer intervals, and(ii)by filling them with petroleum in place of water for the purposes of test.(3)The provisions of sub-rule (2) shall not apply to cross-country pipelines, for which new technologies are available.
