The NPMS Operator Standards is an online document that contains detailed information about the NPMS data submission requirements. The NPMS Operator Submission Supplemental Instructions is an online document that contains tips for preparing a complete and accurate NPMS submission. The NPMS Operator Standards and the NPMS Operator Submission Supplemental Instructions may be viewed via a web browser or saved as a PDF file to your local computer.

Determine Applicable LNG Plant Submission Timeline

LNG plant operators are required to make an NPMS submission for their LNG plants each year. Effective October 1, 2015 per the Pipeline Safety: Miscellaneous Changes to Pipeline Safety Regulations rule, LNG plant operators are required to make their submission by March 15 of each year. The LNG plant submission reflects operations as of December 31 of the previous year (e.g., the March 15, 2023 submission reflects data as of December 31, 2022).

Determine if Changes Have Occurred

Operators can view their existing LNG plant data in the NPMS via OSAVE , which is accessible to operators using their PIMMA username and password. If it is determined that no changes are necessary to the LNG plant data since the previous submission, the operator still must notify NPMS staff. A notification of no changes, in place of a data submission, fulfills the annual NPMS submission requirement. The operator should send NPMS staff their LNG plant no change notification via email. The email must include the OPID and state that there are no changes necessary to the existing LNG plant data to reflect operations as of December 31 of the previous year (e.g., the submission due March 15, 2023 reflects operations as of December 31, 2022).

If the change is that all LNG plant data for the OPID should be removed from the NPMS or all LNG plants were permanently abandoned, the operator should alert NPMS staff via email. The email sent to the staff must include the OPID and the completed cover/transmittal letter (refer to Summary of Required Components for LNG plants for a template cover/transmittal letter).

Please note that if at any time throughout the year the LNG plant primary and/or technical contact has changed, please notify NPMS staff via email. The primary and technical contact is used internally by NPMS staff regarding questions about your LNG plant submission/OPID and to notify you of changes concerning the NPMS process. The NPMS does not currently collect public contact information specifically for LNG plants.

Determine if LNG Plants Have Been Abandoned

If an LNG plant was permanently abandoned during the reporting year, a submission is necessary to convert the LNG plant data to an abandoned status. If the operator opts not to include the abandoned LNG plant in the geospatial and attribute portions of the submission, the operator must include a note in the cover letter indicating that the plant was not included in the submission because it was permanently abandoned in place. In this scenario, NPMS staff will convert the status of the LNG plant data to abandoned, on the operator’s behalf. Once an LNG plant is officially abandoned in the NPMS, it should not be included in future NPMS submissions. Since abandoned LNG plants are disassociated from your OPID, your company’s abandoned LNG plants will not appear in OSAVE under your PIMMA account. However, abandoned LNG plant data is viewable via the NPMS Public Viewer (as the generic OPID 99999 ABANDONED operator). If needed, NPMS staff can also send your abandoned LNG plants, in shapefile format, for use in your own GIS to assist you with confirming your submission excludes any LNG plants previously reported as permanently abandoned. Please contact NPMS staff if you are unsure of which LNG plants are currently abandoned in the NPMS for your OPID.

Develop LNG Plant Submission Components

Section 2 General Requirements (Key Terms and Definitions) of the NPMS Operator Standards outlines the main components of the NPMS submission. This section also defines the types of LNG plants that must be included in an NPMS data submission; if you are unsure if your LNG plant meets PHMSA’s definition and is, therefore, required to be submitted to the NPMS, please refer to this section. The Summary of Required Components for LNG plants provides of a brief overview of the submission components.

Submit LNG Plant Components via OSAVE

Once all the components of the NPMS LNG plant submission are prepared, the operator should send the submission to NPMS staff.

The LNG plant data submission should be transmitted digitally via the OSAVE submission workflow tool. This tool prompts you to attach your data files. Please attach one zip file containing all required components. The zip file should contain your Operator ID as part of the file name. This tool also prompts you to add any desired notes, and to submit to NPMS staff. The files from your local computer will be automatically sent to our NPMS server where NPMS staff will retrieve it. Please note that a PIMMA login is required to access this tool.

Review Processed LNG Plant Data

Once NPMS staff receives your NPMS LNG plant submission, staff will verify that the submission contains the required components. You will be sent an email confirming receipt of your complete LNG plant data submission or requesting additional information. Once all the components are received and validated, NPMS staff will process your submission. Please note that submissions are processed in the order they arrive.

Once the submission has been processed, the NPMS submission is incorporated into the NPMS national layer. This step finalizes the NPMS submission and concludes the NPMS submission process. Once the submission data is available for viewing in the NPMS map viewers, NPMS staff sends an email notification to the primary and technical contacts. If an error is identified in the incorporated data, please contact NPMS staff to determine the best approach for making necessary corrections to your LNG plant data.

Questions regarding the NPMS data or NPMS submissions should be directed to NPMS staff at npms@dot.gov or 703-317-6294.