U.S. Pipeline Safety Report Released
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The U.S. industry body API has released a new report, with the Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL), confirming that pipelines continue to be one of the safest ways to efficiently transport energy across the United States.
Despite a 13 percent increase in miles of pipeline delivering crude oil over the last five years, petroleum products and natural gas liquids, pipeline incidents per mile larger than 500 barrels are down nearly a third. Incidents potentially impacting people or the environment outside of an operator’s facility are down 52 percent since 1999.
Currently, 207,800 miles of liquids pipeline cross America from producton areas to refineries to consumers and manufacturers, a13 percent increase from 2011 to 2015.
The report highlights liquid pipeline safety performance and industry-wide efforts to improve pipeline safety in 2016 and beyond. According to the report, 99.999 percent of crude oil and petroleum products delivered by pipeline reach their destination safely. In 2015, 65 percent of pipeline incident releases were less than five barrels. Corrosion caused pipeline incidents potentially impacting people or the environment outside of operator facilities are down 68 percent since 1999.
The report summarizes industry-wide proactive pipeline safety principles; provides a transparent analysis of industry safety records, including where performance is improving and where challenges remain; and outlines the significant efforts liquid pipeline operators continue to make in advancing technologies and implementing innovative approaches to inspecting, monitoring, and managing pipeline safety programs.
“Safety is a core value throughout our industry,” said API Pipeline Manager David Murk.
“Pipelines are a vital part of this nation’s energy infrastructure and ensuring they continue to operate safely will be critical to securing our energy future. Plus, the construction of new pipelines will create jobs, grow the economy and guarantee all Americans are benefitting from our nation’s energy renaissance.”
The report is available here.