Today’s oil and natural gas pipelines are constructed and maintained to ensure the safe transport of the commodities for decades to come. A combination of the use of quality materials, high construction standards, design considerations, adherence to state and federal regulations and a century of pipeline technology merge to create confidence in the installation and operation of pipeline systems.
The epoxy-coated, high-grade steel pipe, which is used to build a gathering pipeline system, plays an important safety role in the system’s integrity. The protective coating and heavy wall thickness of the pipe inhibit corrosion and minimize any possibilities of a leak. Additional corrosion mitigation programs, which include cathodic protection, internal corrosion monitoring and internal corrosion inhibitors, further ensure the longevity of pipeline systems. To ensure quality installation after construction, X-rays of field welds are taken on-site to ensure the integrity of the welds and hydrostatic testing uses high water pressure to verify that the pipeline is without defect.
Another design consideration is the location of mainline block valves on the pipeline. Valve sites are needed at specific intervals, as required by the federal or state government so that the flow of oil or gas may be shut off to a particular area of the pipeline. Valve locations are selected based on several factors, including accessibility, the product flowing in the line, proximity to the public, operational necessity and regulatory spacing requirements. In the unlikely event that a leak or other emergency occurs, closure of these valves allows for rapid containment of the oil or natural gas stream by shutting off affected sections of the pipeline.
Pipelines also are designed, constructed and operated under specific federal and state regulations, as well as industry standards, to ensure the safety and health of the public and the environment. Chesapeake works closely with the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and local government agencies to ensure compliance with regulations and jointly perform periodic pipeline inspections as necessary.
Chesapeake meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and industry standards for pipe design specifications by using conservative safety factors. The safety factor selected for a specific pipe design is based on the pressure at which it will operate, its location in regard to the general public and environmental concerns, and whether it will carry oil or natural gas.
Regulatory agencies such as the RRC and the TCEQ employ trained and experienced inspectors who periodically inspect or audit pipeline companies and facilities to make sure regulations are met. For example, RRC inspectors routinely perform audits on operating pipelines. The auditor may look at documents, records or pipeline sites in addition to interviewing responsible personnel. If problems are found, inspections may occur more frequently or citations may be issued.
Pipeline safety regulations also require pipeline companies to provide safety programs to educate the general public, public officials, emergency responders and excavators (those digging around pipelines). Topics may include general pipeline safety, as well as how to recognize pipeline markers or a potential leak or problem, or how to notify the company in case of an issue. As part of this effort, Chesapeake mails brochures, media participates in public meetings, engages in media advertising and uses a variety of other public education methods.