Safety

Even though you may not see pipelines, they are constantly working on your behalf. Similarly, pipeline operators are there behind the scenes constantly working to keep those pipelines operating safely. Proactive inspections, preventive maintenance, 24/7 monitoring, rapid shutdown and emergency response ready to go all keep pipelines and surrounding areas safe.
Pipeline operator working on pipeline

Keeping Pipelines Safe

Pipeline operators proactively inspect their pipelines on regular schedules looking for any potential issues and ensuring the pipe remains safe.
 
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Pipeline operator working on pipeline

Safety Record

While 99.999% of liquid energy delivered by pipeline arrives safely, accidents can happen. Pipeline operators study their safety record to learn where to improve.
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Pipeline operator with smart pig

Safety Technology

Pipeline operators use high-tech devices, similar to an MRI or ultrasound at the doctor’s office, to scan their pipelines for potential issues.
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How do pipeline operators keep pipelines safe?

Pipeline operators use proactive inspections and preventative maintenance to find and fix issues to keep the pipe safe.  Pipelines are designed, built, operated, and maintained to minimize environmental impact. They are designed using high-grade steel and advanced coatings to protect against corrosion. Pipeline routes are chosen to avoid environmentally sensitive or public areas as much as possible and can travel deep underground beneath rivers, never touching any water. Pipeline operators monitor pipelines 24/7 from a central control room to know everything is operating safely. Pipeline safety programs use hi-tech inspection tools like an MRI in a doctor’s office that travel inside the pipe proactively looking for issues. Preventive maintenance programs will address issues long before they become a problem. Overlaying all of these efforts are federal pipeline safety laws and regulations to keep pipelines operating safely.

Hi-Tech Inspection Tools

Preventive Maintenance

24/7 Monitoring

Hi-Grade Steel & Protective Coatings

Ready to Respond

Pipeline releases, while rare, do sometimes occur. When that happens, pipeline operators work together with local first responders, government agency representatives, and cleanup contractors to respond as quickly as possible, perform any cleanups, and then investigate what happened. 

All pipeline operators are required to have detailed emergency response plans describing how they will respond to any emergency. These plans can be quickly invoked to deploy containment equipment such as movable barriers and booms to limit the spread of a spill, followed by equipment such as vacuum trucks and steam cleaners to clean up the spill. A government On Scene Coordinator, such as from the U.S. Coast Guard or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will help organize efforts.

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Environmental Protection

Pipeline operators minimize the environmental impact of their pipelines with route selection, construction and materials, proactive inspections and preventative maintenance, 24/7 leak detection systems, and emergency response programs.

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Environmental Protection

Working to Keep Pipelines Safe

Hear directly from a pipeline company employee as she describes how she knows her family is safe because she knows what her company does to keep pipelines operating safely: