Safety

PRCI Leading the Way into the Energy Future

When a small group of pipeline operators at a conference realized they were each experiencing brittle cracks in their pipelines, they also realized the power of collaboration. Within two short years of pooling resources and research, a solution presented itself to end the decades-long issue.

Gas Pipeline Damaged in Ukraine's Kherson Region, No Sign of Disruption in Supply to EU

A gas pipeline has been damaged as a result of a strike by the Ukrainian armed forces near the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant in Ukraine's Kherson, a region currently controlled by Russian forces, TASS reported on Monday, citing the regional administration.

Venezuela's Oil Minister Denounces Attack on Gas Pipeline

Technical personnel at Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA and firefighters were putting out a fire on a natural gas pipeline in the country's east, Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami said on Twitter on Sunday.

Identifying, Minimizing Sinkhole in Pipeline Rights-of-Way

Kentucky and Pennsylvania have several areas within their borders susceptible to karst formations, including sinkholes and surface depressions. These states also have substantial resources available for pipeline companies to review when attempting to identify locales with sinkholes as well as areas that are prone to karst formations.

Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Gas Pipe Explodes Sparking Wildfire in Pennsylvania

A segment of Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Gas Pipeline running through Clermont, PA, reportedly exploded Tuesday igniting a wildfire in the surrounding area, The Bradford Era reported on June 13.

Gazprom: Nord Stream Gas Pipeline's Safety Depends on Stranded Turbine

Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom said on Wednesday it could not guarantee the safe operation of a critical part of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline because of doubt over the return of a turbine from Canada.

Michigan Regulators Request More Information on Enbridge’s Line 5 Pipeline Tunnel Project

State of Michigan regulators on Thursday ordered Canada's Enbridge Inc. to file additional information on safety and engineering for its proposed Line 5 oil pipeline tunnel, describing Enbridge's current application as "deficient."

Natural Gas Pipeline Explodes in Fort Bend County, Texas

A pipeline rupture led to an explosion on Thursday morning in rural Fort Bend County, Texas, with emergency crews extinguishing the fire shortly after the burst, according to Fox News.

Petroperu Requests Emergency Declaration After Pipeline Attack

State-owned Petroperu asked the government to declare a state of emergency for a major crude oil pipeline last week, after it suffered a series of cuts in an Amazonian region of the country that it described as "an unprecedented attack."

PHMSA Blocks Restart of Freeport LNG Plant Citing Unsafe Conditions

U.S. pipeline safety regulator PHMSA on Thursday said it found unsafe conditions at a Texas liquefied natural gas export facility and will not allow owner Freeport LNG to restart the plant until an outside analysis is complete.

Texas RRC Approves Rule to Ready Natural Gas Industry for Weather Emergencies

The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC), which oversees the state's oil and natural gas industries, approved a proposed weatherization rule to help protect Texans during emergencies that could occur any time of the year.

Emerging Trends, Approaches in Engineering Assessments Pipeline Safety

The increased application of robust engineering assessments/fitness-for-service evaluations is expected to play out in several key ways.

Texas RRC Commissioners Assess Unusually Heavy Amount of Enforcement Fines

The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,008,396 in fines with pipeline operators and excavators ticketed $476,200 for violations of the Commission’s Pipeline Damage Prevention rules, the Commission said on Wednesday.

Freeport LNG Plant Suffers Explosion, Nearby Residents Evacuated, Police Say

A explosion and fire on Wednesday hit the massive Freeport LNG liquefied natural gas plant on the Texas Gulf Coast, prompting an evacuation of nearby residents in Quintana, Texas.

Norway LNG Plant Resumes Output, Boosting Gas Exports

Norway's Hammerfest liquefied natural gas plant has restarted production following a fire almost two years ago, boosting the country's gas exports, operator Equinor said on Thursday.

Securing Pipeline Endpoints Against Rising Global Threats

As Ukrainians fight to hold the line against heavy shelling and missile strikes, Russia is being admonished by Ukraine’s international supporters. Moscow promises to cause as much disruption as possible to its detractors with a full-on cyber retaliation.

Federal Pipeline Agencies Accepting Applications for Pipeline Safety Program

PHMSA has begun accepting applications for its new Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant program, which will offer nearly $200 million in grants annually over the next five years to improve the safety of high-risk, leak-prone natural gas distribution infrastructure.

The Cultural Divide Between IT & OT Puts Critical Operations at Risk

Cultural and technical differences between traditional IT best practices and what is possible in OT increases an organization’s risk for costly cyber incidents.

An Executive’s Guide to Industrial Cybersecurity

What you need to know to keep your operational technology secure.

5 Critical Controls for World-Class OT Cybersecurity

How to align your leadership and implement a successful operational technology (OT) security posture.

Enhancing Pipeline Security: Cybersecurity Alone Is Not Enough

Like any industrial operation, pipeline operators strive to provide safety and reliability in the delivery of their products. However, impacts from a variety of factors – from natural and environmental processes to vandalism and terrorism – threaten to disrupt the safety and reliability of pipeline systems.

Deadly Explosion Rocks Hotel in Cuba, Gas Leak Suspected

A deadly explosion hit a well-known hotel in downtown Havana on Friday, tearing a gash several floors high into the side of the building, killing at least eight people and sending another 30 to hospital, witnesses and Cuban state media said.

BP, Colonial and Phillips 66 Win 2021 API Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards

The American Petroleum Institute (API) announced the winners of the 2021 API Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards including a small, medium and large pipeline operator that were recognized for their commitment to safety and work to advance a zero incidents culture.

API, AOPL Report Shows Strengthened Pipeline Safety Performance

The Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) today released their annual 2021 Pipeline Safety Excellence Performance Report, which found that the safety of liquids pipelines increased across several key indicators.

27-Day ILI Run: A Case Study of a Low-Pressure, Low-Flow Gathering Line

In 2011, a customer, who was in a difficult situation, approached Pipesurvey International (PSI). The customer had a pipeline that ran from the Q1 Field in the North Sea 52 miles (81 km) off the coast of The Netherlands, to an offshore terminal that needed an in-line inspection (ILI).

Engineer’s Role in Hazardous Area Classification

Hazardous area classification is not a new technique to address the risk associated with flammable gas, vapor, liquids and dust. It involves evaluating a location or process for hazards of fire or the probability of incident.

Rule Adds Protocols for Pipelines Near Sensitive Waterways

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) to the Federal Register in December that designated the Great Lakes, coastal beaches and marine coastal waters as “Unusually Sensitive Areas.”

Natgas Pipeline Explosion Injures Two at Louisiana Air Force Base

The incident occurred on a 10-inch (25.4 cm) natural gas gathering line located on the base, a spokesperson for Energy Transfer LP said, adding, "the line was immediately shut in and the area is secure."

Williams’ Natural Gas Pipeline Ruptures in Alabama

The incident happened at a natural gas compressor facility owned by The Williams Companies Inc., located on Highway 69 in southwest Marengo County, Alabama.

Pipeline Damage Incidents See Positive Trend Thanks to Public Awareness

The month of April is Safe Digging Month designed to bring awareness to the serious public safety consequences should pipelines or other underground utilities be damaged anywhere in Texas.