safety information for public officials

Transcription

1 safety information for public officials Volume 9, Issue 1 - Fall, 2014 Public Officials Have An IN PIPelIne safety & security As our exposure to vandalism or acts of terrorism has increased, oil and gas companies have made safety and security a top priority. This is especially important when it comes to pipelines located near commercial, residential and government properties. As a public official, you likely have a direct relationship with numerous agencies and organizations that work in the vicinity of oil and gas pipelines. Your assistance in partnering to keep the areas around them safe and secure will promote the safety and security of the pipelines and your community. We encourage you to take an active role in communicating the importance of reporting suspicious behavior or activity near pipelines. To help prevent damage to facilities and protect against personal injury, please: Be Aware... of the location of pipeline facilities in your area Report... suspicious individuals or activities around pipelines immediately to 911 and the pipeline operator Be Aware... of signs of a leak (sight, smells, sounds) Watch... for and report unauthorized digging along the pipeline right-of-way Address... pipelines in your emergency response procedures Know... that pipeline company employees and their contractors carry photo identification and will gladly show it upon request reasons to read this newsletter: 1. The development of America s energy resources is driving economic recovery in many areas. What you need to know about energy development activities in your community. 2. More than 30,000 miles of new pipeline infrastructure will be built over the course of the next 20 years. The investment required will cost between $130 and $210 billion. 3. Pipelines and rail are transporting record amounts of oil across the country. Find out how both methods of transportation serve different, but important purposes. 4. Pipelines play a critical role supporting the viability of the country in terms of creating jobs, contributing to communities through taxation and bolstering manufacturing activity. Learn steps that can help maintain the integrity of the pipeline system and protect the communities where pipelines operate. 5. Communities have an active role in working with pipeline operators to develop emergency response plans and land-use practices to protect underground infrastructure. Please share this newsletter an electronic version is available at: 1

2 How Pipelines SeRVe Our communities This issue Public Officials have an Active Role in Pipeline Safety & Security...See page 1 How Pipelines Serve Our Communities... See page 2-3 Emergency Preparedness/ Natural Disasters...See page 4 The invisible highway is a phrase that commonly refers to America s network of more than 2.6 million miles of pipelines. In addition to being the safest and most efficient way of transporting our energy resources, the use of pipeline infrastructure results in less pollution, road congestion and damage to roads. Energy Renaissance...See page 5 Know the Possible Hazards... See page 6-7 Prevention Measures Taken...See page 8 The Future of Flaring...See page 9 Moving the Needle...See page 9 Damage Prevention/ Connecting The Dots...See page 10 Yielding to Pipelines and Other Underground Infrastructure...See page 11 Investment in Pipelines...See page 11 Additional Information...See page 12 For example, a pipeline transporting 300,000 barrels per day of liquid material would require 1,500 tanker truck loads per day, a load delivered every minute, around the clock. In the case of natural gas, there is no efficient alternative to transporting it through pipelines. Gathering pipelines... collect oil and natural gas from production areas. These pipelines are generally located in rural areas. Transmission pipelines... carry larger quantities of refined energy resources such as oil and natural gas longer distances, as these resources are not always produced near where they are refined or consumed. The general location of all transmission pipelines can be viewed in the National Pipeline Mapping System at Distribution pipelines... deliver natural gas to manufacturing, commercial and residential customers to produce electricity, provide heat, cook food and help maintain comfort in our lives. Distribution pipelines exist in most communities; they are virtually everywhere. Within the invisible highway system, distribution lines can be more likened to boulevards, streets, alleys and driveways, unlike the interstates that support ease in travel for longer distances across the country and from city to city TABLe MounTAin PKWY Golden, CO

3 Pipelines deliver products that Supply power generation facilities Fuel planes, automobiles and truck transportation Manufacture plastics and pharmaceuticals Dry agricultural crops Support military exercises and initiatives Heat homes Pipeline Markers Pipelines are buried in an area called right-of-way. Pipeline markers are used to designate the general route of the pipeline. Markers can also be found where a pipeline crosses a street or railroad, emerges from the ground, or in waterways. BE AWARE: Pipeline markers will not designate the exact location, depth or number of pipelines in the area. Markers come in different shapes and sizes, but will always: Include the word WarninG, DanGer or caution NATURAL GAS PIPELINE BEFORE DIGGING CALL 811 FOR AN EMERGENCY CALL PIPELINE COMPANY INC. Identify the material being transported Provide a phone number to reach the company in the event of an emergency Provide the name of the pipeline company Always call 811 before you dig. 3

4 hurricanes floods tornadoes It has been almost two years since Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast in November The loss of power over a three week period affected millions of people during freezing temperatures highlighting the importance of emergency response planning and preparedness. Concerns arose over the ability of the government and utility companies to adequately prepare for and respond to the storm s unprecedented impact. The east coast is not alone when it comes to dealing with devastating hurricanes. The state of Texas has also learned a great deal about emergency planning following the effects of Hurricane Ike. In 2009, Texas implemented a new and sophisticated Hurricane Response Plan. An important addition to the Texas plan allows pipeline company representatives, with proper identification, access into postdisaster areas to survey the condition of their facilities and identify any potential risks or hazards to the public. Natural disasters, like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes can place pipelines at risk for leaks and disruption of service. Pipeline operators have specific provisions in their emergency response plans for natural disasters. These plans work best when practiced and exercised prior to an event. Government officials understand the importance of emergency response plans and procedures. Working together, public officials, emergency responders and pipeline companies should become completely familiar with procedures in preparation for a natural disaster. This partnership of planning and preparation will ensure not only the safety of the community, but also the environment. In this way, communities can be confident in their response to the inevitable force of Mother Nature. 4

5 Energy Renaissance America is enjoying the benefits of an unprecedented development of oil and natural gas resources in many parts of the country. We will soon be the largest oil producer in the world, and one of the top producers of natural gas - accomplishments that many would have never predicted. The result has been incredible job creation, lower energy costs and the need to build and support methods of transportation to move these vast supplies of energy resources. Today, both pipeline and rail are needed to transport these energy resources as they play different roles and offer inherently different benefits to move the product. For those seeking to move crude oil, rail is able to deliver the product to markets that are currently not served by pipelines or where capacity is constrained. California has historically depended on foreign oil sources or refineries in the north requiring rail transportation. A benefit of rail is that it can be diverted to market centers that offer the highest price to producers seeking to sell their product even when the cost of transporting the product via rail is more expensive. The cost of building pipelines is substantial and can take several years to complete depending on the size and scope of the project. Currently, significant investments are being made to serve existing rail systems and existing pipelines. The end result will produce a more seamless and flexible transportation network designed to help meet America s energy needs. Pipelines play a critical role as they remain the only way to transport natural gas economically and efficiently. Natural gas cannot be compressed and shipped by rail in an efficient manner that permits large-scale volumes of the commodity to be liquefied and then returned to its gaseous state once it arrives at a distribution point. Current pipeline infrastructure also serves as a primary way most crude oil is transported each day. As the energy renaissance continues in America, it is clear that both pipelines and rail will play a critical role in transporting energy resources. 2.6 million miles of pipelines in the United States Source: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) 300,000 miles of railroad track serving freight and passenger transportation Source: The U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) To learn more about pipeline and rail safety, visit the following websites: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHmsa) U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Always call 811 before you dig. 5

6 safety information for public officials Products and Facilities Natural Gas Natural gas is the predominant product found in gas distribution pipelines, and with few exceptions, is transported via pipelines in its gaseous form. Like crude oil, it is a naturally occurring resource formed millions of years ago as a result of heat and pressure acting on decayed organic material. It is extracted from wells and transported through gathering pipelines to processing facilities. From these facilities it is transported through transmission pipelines to distribution centers or distribution pipeline systems. The main ingredient in natural gas is methane (94 percent). Natural gas is odorless, colorless, tasteless and nontoxic in its natural state. When transported via transmission pipelines, natural gas typically does not have odorant added. An odorant (called mercaptan) is added when it is delivered to a distribution system. In ambient temperatures, natural gas remains lighter than air; however, it can be compressed (CNG) under high pressure to make it convenient for use in other applications or liquefied (LNG) under extremely cold temperatures (-260 F) to facilitate transportation. Petroleum Gas Petroleum gas is a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons, primarily propane, butane and ethane, which are easily liquefied under pressure and are used for residential or commercial heating and other industrial applications. Propane and butane are often stored and transported under pressure as liquid (LPG) in portable containers for use as fuel for heating and cooking applications. LPG is usually transported through hazardous liquid transmission pipelines; however, vaporized propane and butane may also be found in small distribution systems. LPG is a tasteless, colorless and odorless gas. When transported via transmission pipelines it typically will not have odorant added. Odorant is added when LPG is offloaded to a distribution pipeline system or transport tanks to facilitate leak detection. Petroleum Liquids Petroleum liquids is a broad term covering many products, including: crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation gasoline, jet fuel, fuel oil, kerosene, natural gas liquids, naphtha, xylene and other refined products. Crude oil is unrefined petroleum that is extracted from beneath the earth s surface through wells. As it comes from the well, crude oil contains a mixture of oil, gas, water and other impurities, such as metallic compounds and sulfur. Refinement of crude oil produces petroleum products that we use every day, such as motor oils and gasoline. Crude oil is normally transported from wells to refineries through gathering pipelines. Refined petroleum products are normally transported in transmission pipelines to rail or truck terminals for distribution to consumers. Odorant is not added to these products because they have a natural odor. Anhydrous Ammonia Anhydrous ammonia is the liquefied form of pure ammonia gas. It is a colorless gas or liquid with an extremely pungent odor. It is normally transported through transmission pipelines located in the Midwest and is used primarily as an agricultural fertilizer or industrial refrigerant. Carbon Dioxide Carbon dioxide is a heavy gas that is normally transported in transmission pipelines as a compressed fluid. It is a naturally occurring colorless, odorless and tasteless gas used in the petroleum industry. Under normal conditions carbon dioxide is stable, inert and nontoxic. Ethanol Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, is a colorless liquid that is widely used as an additive to automotive gasoline. It may be transported in buried transmission pipelines. Hydrogen Gas Hydrogen is commonly produced from the steam reforming of natural gas. It is frequently used near its production site, with the two main uses being petrochemical processing and ammonia production. It is a flammable gas that is colorless, odorless and lighter than air. It is nontoxic, but can act as a simple asphyxiant. Sour Crude Oil and Sour Gas Products containing little or no sulfur are often referred to as sweet, whereas, products containing high concentrations of sulfur and hydrogen sulfide are commonly referred to as sour. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is a toxic, corrosive contaminant found in natural gas and crude oil. Hydrogen sulfide has an odor like the smell of rotten eggs or a burnt match. Exposure to relatively low levels of hydrogen sulfide (500 ppm) can be fatal.

7 Leak, Hazard, & Emergency Response Information Natural Gas Petroleum Gas Petroleum Liquids Anhydrous Ammonia Carbon Dioxide Ethanol Hydrogen Gas Sour Gas (H 2 S) Sour Crude Oil (H 2 S) Liquids & Odorized Natural Gas INDICATions OF A LEAK An odor like rotten eggs or a burnt match A loud roaring sound like a jet engine A white vapor cloud that may look like smoke A hissing or whistling noise The pooling of liquid on the ground An odor like petroleum liquids or gasoline Fire coming out of or on top of the ground Dirt blowing from a hole in the ground A sheen on the surface of water An area of frozen ground in the summer An unusual area of melted snow in the winter An area of dead vegetation Bubbling in pools of water An irritating and pungent odor HAZARds OF A RELEAse Highly flammable and easily ignited by heat or sparks Will displace oxygen and can cause asphyxiation Vapors are heavier than air and will collect in low areas Contact with skin may cause burns, injury, or frostbite Initial odor may be irritating and deaden the sense of smell Toxic and may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases Runoff may cause pollution Vapors may form an explosive mixture with air Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning Is lighter than air and can migrate into enclosed spaces EMERGenCY ResPonse Avoid any action that may create a spark Do NOT start vehicles, switch lights, or hang up phones Evacuate the area on foot in an upwind and uphill direction Alert others to evacuate the area and keep people away From a safe location, call 911 to report the emergency Call the pipeline operator and report the event Wait for emergency responders to arrive Do NOT attempt to close any pipeline valves Take shelter inside a building and close all windows Note (1) these products are naturally odorless and only certain pipeline systems may be odorized. Always call 811 before you dig.

8 prevention measures taken To find additional information regarding the voluntary steps operators undertake to ensure the reliability of their systems, visit the PAPA website at There are many similarities between a pipeline operator and a homeowner. Protecting the value and integrity of a pipeline for an operator is just like protecting the value of a home for its owner. Over time, both parties will invest a substantial amount of time, money and energy in order to safeguard their property from outside forces and the elements. What you might not realize is that pipelines are fairly expensive to build. The cost of just one mile of transmission pipeline can amount to more than $2 million and that only covers the pipeline s actual construction. At more than $400 a foot, you can believe that operators take a number of steps that are critical to the maintenance of their investment. Operators take on-going measures to maintain, inspect and protect the integrity of pipeline infrastructure We ve named 20 below just to highlight a few Bury the pipe at minimum depths depending on the type and location of the line Design the strength and thickness of the steel or plastic pipelines to adhere to standards Coat the pipeline with protective covering to prevent damage to the pipeline X-ray the welds of pipe connections to examine for any possible defects or cracks Mark the pipeline route with appropriate markers Indicate where pipelines cross roads, waterways, and railroad tracks Monitor the pressure and flow of the commodity being transported Schedule regular cleanings for the inside of the pipe with the use of an internal device Train emergency responders to recognize a potential release and how to properly respond Maintain clear right-of-way to facilitate periodic inspections for safe operations Install cathodic protection to safeguard the steel from external corrosion Ensure employees meet minimum qualification standards Participate in the one call program so facilities are marked prior to excavation Inject corrosion inhibitors to prevent corrosion from occurring inside the pipeline Provide on-going public awareness education to people who live and work near pipelines Fly and walk the right-of-way to check for any signs of a leak or encroachment Prepare and practice emergency response procedures Conduct testing to confirm the integrity of pipe before the line becomes operational Evaluate the risks posed to the pipeline under different operating conditions Odorize consumer-ready gas in distribution systems 8

9 A significant increase in oil and gas production in the United States has resulted in a rise in the use of flaring. Most of us associate these tall, thin, flaming-top structures with a refinery, few of us know anything more. Future Flaring is the candle-like flame in the distance long before the natural gas production or processing facilities below it come into clear view. In both production and processing operations, flare stacks are used to burn off unprocessed natural gas. Ground-level flares in an earthen pit are less visible, but may also be in use. Unlike crude oil that can be stored in tanks after extraction, natural gas must be immediately piped, sent to a processing facility or vented through a controlled flaring process. In production operations, flaring is commonly used when pipeline infrastructure has not been built to allow for transportation of the natural gas. As an operational efficiency process, flaring can also help to control the pressure, flow and composition of the gas from a well. Flaring is also used as a safety process at natural gas processing and treating facilities. Flares serve as an outlet to release gas in the system in a controlled, safe manner, thereby reducing the risk of fire at the site. Most will agree that oil and gas production is vital to our economy. At the same time, we are all concerned about the environment and have a desire to find ways to efficiently capture and process resources in an environmentally friendly way. An expanded pipeline infrastructure in the U.S. will help reduce the need for flaring without impacting natural gas production. Moving the Needle Promoting pipeline safety and awareness is a task that is embraced by the pipeline industry. Operators are providing audiences with a variety of messages to not only promote the importance of the industry, but the role individuals play in keeping pipelines safe. In an effort to determine just how operators and the industry are doing with these educational efforts, surveys are conducted to establish whether the outreach is effective as well as just how much stakeholders know. Recent findings show that progress is being made. A survey of public officials responsible for land use planning and recent decisions made over issues that could impact pipelines and public utilities indicate a noteworthy increase in knowledge concerning key pipeline safety topics. The results showed: u 78% of respondents indicated they knew the pipeline companies operating in their area up 6 percent from four years ago u 64% of officials said they had been in contact with someone from the pipeline industry within the last year up 17 percent since 2010 u 35% of survey participants felt they were well informed about their responsibilities regarding pipeline safety this is up 10 percent in the last four years Continuous progress has been shown. Efforts like this newsletter keep current information regarding the pipeline industry in front of decision makers, landowners, the public, emergency responders and excavators. For more information, visit Always call 811 before you dig. 9

10 THE DOTS What Can You Do To Help? Encourage other operators of publicly owned underground facilities to register with the local one call center, regardless of any exemptions in local or state law. Underground infrastructure supports the livelihood of the community. When key systems are interrupted or damaged, they can cause harm as well as unnecessary expenses. Many do not realize that one misplaced shovel, trencher or backhoe bucket stands between a cold winter day that is made more comfortable with heat and warm food and that of everyone in a community losing natural gas or electric power. More concerning is that excavation missteps can cause the release of natural gas or hazardous liquids that results in harm to people or the environment. Damage to the infrastructure that provides us with critical services such as energy and utilities is preventable. Know What s Below Call 811 Before You Dig serves as a reminder to get underground pipelines and utilities marked prior to excavation. Underground facility operators have been working to ensure that anyone digging, excavating or moving earth uses their state s one call notification center to locate facilities in the vicinity of the activity. The simple, and usually free call, initiates a process by which pipeline operators and other underground facility owners are notified about the projects. Appropriate steps are then taken to mark the location of pipelines and other underground facilities in the area. The issue is of such importance Congress passed legislation that requires minimum standards to be met and any exemptions from the one call process to be justified. Despite efforts to educate stakeholders as to the importance of the one call process, some stakeholders still do not want to participate in the process, or wait the required time to allow for the underground facilities to be properly located and marked at no cost to the excavator. Common Ground Alliance (CGA) studies indicate that nearly 50 percent of excavators fail to make a one call prior to digging. Many governments own, operate or maintain public facilities that are buried; yet the facilities are not entered into the one call system. Many laws exempt publicly owned utilities from the requirement to make the one call or register with the qualified one call center. If an entity chooses not to register, there is no way to know whether there are underground pipes, cables or wires buried in the areas for excavation. Nor will the governmental agencies receive notices of excavation around their facilities. This poses an unnecessary risk to the people working and living near these facilities. Government entities have a direct interest in protecting the safety of personnel and the community at large as well as the soundness of underground systems - whether water, sewer or natural gas. Provide a mechanism to fine or penalize those who fail to call before they dig. This is the most effective way of reinforcing the importance of calling before you dig. Damage prevention programs are found to be more successful when there is an incentive to call. Require that anyone planning to dig must dial 811 before beginning activity. After a dig ticket is created, underground operators will be notified of projects in the area. Make sure that your organization is using your state s one call registry and process. While existing lines may be difficult to add to the system due to the lack of location information, new and future assets should be included in the registry. Any cost to participate will be offset by preventing damage, and saving a life or preventing injury to those working and living around pipelines. Also encourage that the local one call center be notified during the permitting process at the local level. Excavators, construction companies, planners and others can/should also be required to list their one call ticket number on any building or construction permit that is stipulated by local governments. 10

11 to Pipelines and Other Underground Infrastructure Pipelines are located in right-of-ways that are granted by landowners, businesses or government entities. These right-of-ways are secured through easements, which govern the activities of both the pipeline operator and the landowner. It is important to understand that not all right-of-ways are the same size. Some are defined and have a certain size and boundaries, while others are undefined without a certain size but a presumed over and across space. This results in a right-of-way that ranges from just the width of the facility itself to 10, 25 or other increments up to 100 feet, or more depending on the circumstances. There are many factors that determine the size of a right-of-way. These include the number of pipelines in the right-of-way, the size of the pipeline, the period of time in which the easement was acquired, the wishes of the pipeline operator and the landowner when the negotiations for the right-of-way occurred and even state statutes or regulatory agency decisions among others. As a public official who may work with landowners and/or companies who excavate, or make decisions that impact the placement of facilities, this is important as you make general planning, zoning and land-use decisions each day. Encroachment upon public facilities such as pipelines, water, sewer and other underground infrastructure can significantly affect the integrity of the facility as well as the safety of the surrounding community. Managing and protecting the rightof-way is key. It assists with the placement of new facilities and the ability to access the area for routine pipeline monitoring and maintenance. More importantly, it provides for access to the facility if an emergency situation occurs. Educated decisions and proper planning ensures the safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of resources and services to your residents, businesses, and communities. Always call 811 before you dig. 11

12 If You Want More Information About: Company Contacts for Your Area If you received this newsletter with a cover letter, the member companies in your area are listed on the back of the letter. A non-emergency phone number is included for each company. A listing of member company contacts for your area is available from the website. Go to and click on Pipeline Member Directory at the bottom of the home page. Select your state/county and then click on the member name for the detailed contact information (see example below). Additional information may ALso be obtained from: Pipeline Integrity Management Plans Pipeline members will provide additional information about their Integrity Management Program upon request. This information may be posted on their web site or it may be obtained through the company contact person listed in the Pipeline Member Directory. Copies of Materials Provided to the Affected Public or Emergency Officials Pipeline members will send you copies of the materials they provided to the affected public or emergency officials in your area. Just your request to the company contact person listed in the Pipeline Member Directory landuseplanning.htm Pipeline Safety Awareness: If you have questions about the Pipeline Association for Public Awareness, our programs or need more information from any of our members, please jeff.farrells@pipelineawareness.info TABLe MounTAin PKWY Golden, CO Please share this newsletter an electronic version is available at: