WASHINGTON, DC, May 6, 2024 – Liquids pipeline incidents are down 23 percent over the last five years, according to a new pipeline safety report based on federal government pipeline incident data. The 2023 Performance Report & 2023-2025 Pipeline Excellence Strategic Plan, released jointly by the Liquid Energy Pipeline Association (LEPA) and American Petroleum Institute (API), reports on federal pipeline safety data collected by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) over the last five years. Liquids pipelines include those delivering crude oil, refined products such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, natural gas liquids like propane, and carbon dioxide.
WASHINGTON, DC, May 6, 2024 – Liquids pipeline incidents are down 23 percent over the last five years, according to a new pipeline safety report based on federal government pipeline incident data. The 2023 Performance Report & 2023-2025 Pipeline Excellence Strategic Plan, released jointly by the Liquid Energy Pipeline Association (LEPA) and American Petroleum Institute (API), reports on federal pipeline safety data collected by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) over the last five years. Liquids pipelines include those delivering crude oil, refined products such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, natural gas liquids like propane, and carbon dioxide.
“The data shows pipelines are safe and getting safer, and that’s in no small part due to our industry-wide safety initiatives,” said Andy Black, LEPA President and CEO.
Mandated by federal statute and PHMSA regulation, pipeline operators must report data on pipeline incidents to the government. PHMSA makes this data publicly available online through its website. An industry-wide analysis based on PHMSA pipeline incident data shows:
- Total liquids pipeline incidents are down 23% over the last 5 years
- There were 87 fewer incidents involving liquids pipelines in 2023 compared to 2019
- Incidents impacting people or the environment decreased 7% over the last 5 years
- Incidents impacting people or the environment caused by incorrect operation decreased 45% since 2019
- Incidents impacting people or the environment cause by equipment failure decreased 50% from 2019 to 2023
In addition to information on liquids pipeline safety performance, the report also describes the industry-wide actions pipeline operators are taking to improve pipeline safety. Under the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan accompanying the 2023 Performance Report, the pipeline industry is implementing programs to: 1) promote organizational and workforce excellence, 2) improve safety through technology and innovation, 3) increase stakeholder awareness and engagement, 4) address cybersecurity threats, and 5) advance a safe and sustainable energy future.
The Liquid Energy Pipeline Association® promotes responsible policies, safety excellence, and public support for liquids pipelines. We represent pipelines transporting 97 percent of all hazardous liquids barrel miles reported to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Our diverse membership includes large and small pipelines carrying crude oil, refined petroleum products, NGLs, and other liquids.
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