Restoring Trust in Pipeline Safety

Restoring Trust in Pipeline Safety

Carl Weimer, Executive Director

Pipeline Safety Trust

Pipelines 101Pipelines 101

The network includes:

* 160,000 miles of hazardous liquid lines;

* 305,000 miles of natural gas transmission lines;

* 1,860,000 miles of natural gas distribution lines; and

* 70,000 miles of propane distribution pipelines.

The energy transportation network of the United States consists of over 2 million miles of pipelines. That's enough to circle the earth 83 times. These pipelines are operated by more than 3,000 companies, large and small.

How important are pipelines?

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･ Replacing even one modest-sized pipeline, which might transport 150,000 barrels per day, would require 750 tanker truck loads per day, a load delivered every two minutes around the clock.

Source - Association of Oil Pipe Lines

Does greater pipeline safety drive up the cost of gas?

Currently transporting gasoline by pipeline adds 2-4 cents per gallon, so even huge increases in safety requirements would add little to the consumer’s price for gas

Types of PipelinesTypes of Pipelines

Hazardous Liquid Pipelines carry fuels like gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc.

Gas Pipelines carry natural gas and propane.

Transmission Pipelines are the larger lines that move gas and liquids around the country

Distribution Pipelines are the smaller lines that move mainly gas within communities and to our individual homes and businesses.

Interstate Pipelines are lines that cross state or national boundaries

Intrastate Pipelines are lines that do not cross state boundaries.

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Who Uses Natural Gas?

Residential Customers90% of all Customers, Use 23 % of Supply

Commercial Customers9% of all Customers, Use 14% of Supply

Industrial Customers<1% of all customers, Use 38% of Supply

Electrical Generation Customers<1% of all customers, Use 25% of Supply

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Major Crude Oil Pipelines

v

Refined Product Pipelines - Gasoline, Diesel, Jet Fuel, etc.

Who Regulates Pipelines?Who Regulates Pipelines?

Safe operations & maintenance of distribution & intrastate pipelines

Varies from state to state depending on what authority states have chosen to request. If state does not request authority, then the authority to regulate remains with U.S. Department of Transportation’s, Office of Pipeline Safety

Safe operations & maintenance of all interstate pipelines

U.S. Department of Transportation’s, Office of Pipeline Safety - http://ops.dot.gov/

Siting, abandonment, and related environmental issues for interstate natural gas pipelines

Federal Energy Regulatory Commissionhttp://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas.asp

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS TITLE 49--Transportation

Subtitle B- CHAPTER 1 - SUBCHAPTER D--PIPELINE SAFETY

• 190 - PIPELINE SAFETY PROGRAMS AND RULEMAKING PROCEDURES

• 191 - TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE; ANNUAL REPORTS, INCIDENT REPORTS, AND SAFETY-RELATED CONDITION REPORTS

• 192 - TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE: MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS

• 193 - LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FACILITIES: FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS

• 194 - RESPONSE PLANS FOR ONSHORE OIL PIPELINES

• 195 - TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS BY PIPELINE

• 198 - REGULATIONS FOR GRANTS TO AID STATE PIPELINE SAFETY PROGRAMS

• 199 - DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING

Site PreparationSite Preparation

Stringing the PipeStringing the Pipe

TrenchingTrenching

Bending the PipeBending the Pipe

WeldingWelding

Each welder must pass qualification tests to work on a particular pipeline job

Qualified technicians take X-rays of the pipe welds to ensure the completed welds meet federally prescribed quality standards.

Coating the WeldsCoating the Welds

Lowering & BackfillingLowering & Backfilling

Testing

Testing

Generally, but with certain exceptions, all newly constructed hazardous liquid and natural gas transmission pipelines must be hydrostatically tested before they can be placed into service.

Site RestorationSite Restoration

What causes pipelines to fail?

What causes pipelines to fail?

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Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines

Natural Gas Distribution Pipelines

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What are the real pipeline safety issues?

What are the real pipeline safety issues?

Gasoline pipeline explosion - Bellingham, Washington

Property Damage Totals

Property Damage/Mile of Pipe

Main Concerns with New Pipelines Being Built

Main Concerns with New Pipelines Being Built

Call Before You DigCall Before You Dig

Environmental Concerns with

Gas Pipelines

Environmental Concerns with

Gas Pipelines Most concerns with

natural gas pipelines are during the construction phase.

- Harm to wetlands, stream/river crossings, habitat corridors.

Ongoing clearing of pipeline right-of-way

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Environmental Concerns with

Liquid Pipelines

Environmental Concerns with

Liquid Pipelines• Soil contamination

• Toxic components of fuel

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• Contamination of aquatic resources and drinking water

Property RightsProperty Rights

• Eminent domain • Property devaluation• Loss of use of property • Restoration

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Ways to Improve SafetyWays to Improve Safety

Ensure adequate inspections, regulations, and enforcement

Place pipelines away from populated and sensitive areas

Provide adequate setbacks Educate Landowners &

Contractors Provide clear disclosure

when property sells

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The Bottom LineThe Bottom Line

Safe Pipelines or More Tragedies

Please Join With UsPlease Join With Us

1155 North State Street, Suite 609

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-543-5686

carl@pstrust.org

http://www.pstrust.org