scope:

Foreword:

The following recommended practice on form of agreement and specifications was prepared by the Central Committee on Pipe Line Transportation of the American Petroleum Institute for the guidance of pipe line companies in their negotiations with railroads for constructing, maintaining and removing pipe lines under railroad tracks.

It is recommended that individual pipe lines have these contracts and specifications printed as a standard company form and distributed to their proper departments. As noted therein, certain stipulations are subject to change to cover special conditions.

At the present time there is a wide variation in the practice of the various railroads with respect to agreements and specifications now in use. They contain many stipulations that are prejudicial to the interest of the pipe lines and, in some cases, contain provisions that are actually dangerous from the standpoint of safe and practical pipe line operations. All such stipulations have been removed from the form of agreement and specification contained herein. Appendices "A" and "B" contain a brief summary of these objectionable stipulations and the reasons for changing them or deleting them entirely. Pipe line companies desiring to construct new lines are urged to read these appendices carefully so they may be prepared to oppose the imposition of stipulations and conditions inconsistent with the equitable rights of the pipe line company or safe and practical pipe line operation.