West Virginia WV Engineering Exam
**Question 1.** Which West Virginia Code chapter primarily governs the Office of Oil and Gas and
its authority?
A) Chapter 12
B) Chapter 22
C) Chapter 31
D) Chapter 44
Answer: B
Explanation: Chapter 22 of the West Virginia Code contains the statutes dealing with environmental
resources, including the Office of Oil and Gas.
**Question 2.** Under WV Code R. § 150‑4‑9, which federal regulation is NOT directly adopted for
pipeline safety in West Virginia?
A) 49 CFR Part 191
B) 49 CFR Part 192
C) 49 CFR Part 195
D) 49 CFR Part 200
Answer: D
Explanation: Parts 191, 192, 195, and 199 are adopted; Part 200 does not pertain to pipeline safety.
**Question 3.** What is the minimum experience required for appointment as a WV gas pipeline
inspector?
A) 1 year in any engineering field
B) 2 years in pipeline construction
C) 3 years in oil‑gas operations or inspection
D) No experience, only a written exam is required
Answer: C
Explanation: Inspectors must have at least three years of relevant experience and must pass a
written examination.
**Question 4.** An inspector in West Virginia has the right to:
A) Issue criminal charges on the spot
B) Enter any pipeline facility without notice
C) Issue a notice of violation after a reasonable inspection
, West Virginia WV Engineering Exam
D) Shut down a pipeline permanently without PSC approval
Answer: C
Explanation: Inspectors may enter facilities, conduct inspections, and issue notices of violation; they
cannot unilaterally impose criminal charges or permanent shutdowns.
**Question 5.** Within how many hours must a gas pipeline operator report a “significant incident”
to the WV PSC?
A) 12 hours
B) 24 hours
C) 48 hours
D) 72 hours
Answer: B
Explanation: WV regulations require reporting of significant incidents within 24 hours to the PSC.
**Question 6.** 49 CFR Part 191 requires operators to submit an annual report covering which of
the following?
A) Employee salaries
B) Pipeline length, incidents, and safety‑related condition reports
C) Marketing strategies
D) Customer satisfaction surveys
Answer: B
Explanation: Part 191 mandates annual reports that include pipeline mileage, incident statistics, and
safety‑related condition data.
**Question 7.** Which pressure‑testing method is prescribed by 49 CFR Part 192 for new pipeline
sections?
A) Hydrostatic test at 1.5 × design pressure
B) Pneumatic test at 1.2 × design pressure
C) Visual inspection only
D) Ultrasonic testing of welds only
Answer: A
Explanation: A hydrostatic test at 1.5 times the design pressure is required to verify integrity before
service.
, West Virginia WV Engineering Exam
**Question 8.** In 49 CFR Part 192, the minimum wall thickness for a steel pipe transporting natural
gas at 1000 psi is determined by:
A) API 5L standard only
B) Design pressure, material grade, and safety factor per ASME B31.8
C) The pipe’s outer diameter alone
D) The length of the pipe segment
Answer: B
Explanation: Wall thickness is calculated using design pressure, material specifications, and the
safety factor defined in ASME B31.8.
**Question 9.** Which welding qualification is required for a pipe welder on a high‑consequence
area (HCA) pipeline?
A) API 1104 Level 1 only
B) API 1104 Level 2 with a recent (within 12 months) test record
C) No qualification needed if supervised
D) Only a college degree in welding engineering
Answer: B
Explanation: API 1104 Level 2 qualification, with a test record not older than 12 months, is required
for HCAs.
**Question 10.** What is the primary purpose of cathodic protection (CP) on a gas transmission
pipeline?
A) To increase flow rate
B) To prevent external corrosion of the pipe wall
C) To improve gas odorization
D) To reduce pipeline weight
Answer: B
Explanation: CP provides a protective current that mitigates external corrosion of metallic pipelines.
**Question 11.** A “High Consequence Area” (HCA) is defined by which of the following criteria?
A) Any area within 500 ft of a pipeline
B) Areas where a release could cause significant loss of life or property damage
, West Virginia WV Engineering Exam
C) Only urban downtown districts
D) Any location with a population density over 10 people/mi²
Answer: B
Explanation: HCAs are zones where a pipeline failure could result in serious consequences to life,
property, or the environment.
**Question 12.** Which federal regulation governs the transportation of hazardous liquids by
pipeline?
A) 49 CFR Part 191
B) 49 CFR Part 192
C) 49 CFR Part 195
D) 49 CFR Part 199
Answer: C
Explanation: Part 195 specifically addresses hazardous liquid pipelines.
**Question 13.** Under 49 CFR Part 199, which employee category must be included in a pipeline
operator’s drug and alcohol testing program?
A) Administrative staff only
B) All employees, regardless of job function
C) Employees performing safety‑critical or safety‑sensitive functions
D) Contractors not on the payroll
Answer: C
Explanation: Testing is required for employees whose duties affect pipeline safety.
**Question 14.** An Integrity Management Program (IMP) must be reviewed at least every:
A) 2 years
B) 5 years
C) 10 years
D) 15 years
Answer: B
Explanation: Federal regulations require a minimum five‑year review of the IMP.
**Question 1.** Which West Virginia Code chapter primarily governs the Office of Oil and Gas and
its authority?
A) Chapter 12
B) Chapter 22
C) Chapter 31
D) Chapter 44
Answer: B
Explanation: Chapter 22 of the West Virginia Code contains the statutes dealing with environmental
resources, including the Office of Oil and Gas.
**Question 2.** Under WV Code R. § 150‑4‑9, which federal regulation is NOT directly adopted for
pipeline safety in West Virginia?
A) 49 CFR Part 191
B) 49 CFR Part 192
C) 49 CFR Part 195
D) 49 CFR Part 200
Answer: D
Explanation: Parts 191, 192, 195, and 199 are adopted; Part 200 does not pertain to pipeline safety.
**Question 3.** What is the minimum experience required for appointment as a WV gas pipeline
inspector?
A) 1 year in any engineering field
B) 2 years in pipeline construction
C) 3 years in oil‑gas operations or inspection
D) No experience, only a written exam is required
Answer: C
Explanation: Inspectors must have at least three years of relevant experience and must pass a
written examination.
**Question 4.** An inspector in West Virginia has the right to:
A) Issue criminal charges on the spot
B) Enter any pipeline facility without notice
C) Issue a notice of violation after a reasonable inspection
, West Virginia WV Engineering Exam
D) Shut down a pipeline permanently without PSC approval
Answer: C
Explanation: Inspectors may enter facilities, conduct inspections, and issue notices of violation; they
cannot unilaterally impose criminal charges or permanent shutdowns.
**Question 5.** Within how many hours must a gas pipeline operator report a “significant incident”
to the WV PSC?
A) 12 hours
B) 24 hours
C) 48 hours
D) 72 hours
Answer: B
Explanation: WV regulations require reporting of significant incidents within 24 hours to the PSC.
**Question 6.** 49 CFR Part 191 requires operators to submit an annual report covering which of
the following?
A) Employee salaries
B) Pipeline length, incidents, and safety‑related condition reports
C) Marketing strategies
D) Customer satisfaction surveys
Answer: B
Explanation: Part 191 mandates annual reports that include pipeline mileage, incident statistics, and
safety‑related condition data.
**Question 7.** Which pressure‑testing method is prescribed by 49 CFR Part 192 for new pipeline
sections?
A) Hydrostatic test at 1.5 × design pressure
B) Pneumatic test at 1.2 × design pressure
C) Visual inspection only
D) Ultrasonic testing of welds only
Answer: A
Explanation: A hydrostatic test at 1.5 times the design pressure is required to verify integrity before
service.
, West Virginia WV Engineering Exam
**Question 8.** In 49 CFR Part 192, the minimum wall thickness for a steel pipe transporting natural
gas at 1000 psi is determined by:
A) API 5L standard only
B) Design pressure, material grade, and safety factor per ASME B31.8
C) The pipe’s outer diameter alone
D) The length of the pipe segment
Answer: B
Explanation: Wall thickness is calculated using design pressure, material specifications, and the
safety factor defined in ASME B31.8.
**Question 9.** Which welding qualification is required for a pipe welder on a high‑consequence
area (HCA) pipeline?
A) API 1104 Level 1 only
B) API 1104 Level 2 with a recent (within 12 months) test record
C) No qualification needed if supervised
D) Only a college degree in welding engineering
Answer: B
Explanation: API 1104 Level 2 qualification, with a test record not older than 12 months, is required
for HCAs.
**Question 10.** What is the primary purpose of cathodic protection (CP) on a gas transmission
pipeline?
A) To increase flow rate
B) To prevent external corrosion of the pipe wall
C) To improve gas odorization
D) To reduce pipeline weight
Answer: B
Explanation: CP provides a protective current that mitigates external corrosion of metallic pipelines.
**Question 11.** A “High Consequence Area” (HCA) is defined by which of the following criteria?
A) Any area within 500 ft of a pipeline
B) Areas where a release could cause significant loss of life or property damage
, West Virginia WV Engineering Exam
C) Only urban downtown districts
D) Any location with a population density over 10 people/mi²
Answer: B
Explanation: HCAs are zones where a pipeline failure could result in serious consequences to life,
property, or the environment.
**Question 12.** Which federal regulation governs the transportation of hazardous liquids by
pipeline?
A) 49 CFR Part 191
B) 49 CFR Part 192
C) 49 CFR Part 195
D) 49 CFR Part 199
Answer: C
Explanation: Part 195 specifically addresses hazardous liquid pipelines.
**Question 13.** Under 49 CFR Part 199, which employee category must be included in a pipeline
operator’s drug and alcohol testing program?
A) Administrative staff only
B) All employees, regardless of job function
C) Employees performing safety‑critical or safety‑sensitive functions
D) Contractors not on the payroll
Answer: C
Explanation: Testing is required for employees whose duties affect pipeline safety.
**Question 14.** An Integrity Management Program (IMP) must be reviewed at least every:
A) 2 years
B) 5 years
C) 10 years
D) 15 years
Answer: B
Explanation: Federal regulations require a minimum five‑year review of the IMP.
