API and the Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) have recently released a report, confirming that pipelines continue to be one of the safest ways of efficiently transporting energy across the US.
The report highlights liquid pipeline safety performance and industry-wide efforts to improve pipeline safety in 2016 and beyond. It summarises industry-wide 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 that liquid pipeline operators continue to make in advancing technologies and implementing innovative approaches to inspecting, monitoring and managing pipeline safety programmes.
“Safety is a core value throughout our industry,” said API’s Pipeline Manager, David Murk. “This report shows the tremendous priority we place on pipeline safety, but as an industry we can always do more. By constantly evaluating our safety programs and activities, learning from past experiences, and making timely and adequate adjustments, our industry will continue working towards its goal of zero incidents.”
Despite a 13% increase in the miles of pipeline delivering crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas liquids over the last five years, pipeline incidents larger than 500 bbls are down by nearly a third. Incidents that have the potential to impact people or the environment outside of an operator’s facility are down 52% since 1999.
“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,” said Murk. “Plus, the construction of new pipelines will create jobs, grow the economy and guarantee all Americans are benefitting from our nation’s energy renaissance.”
API is the only national trade association that represents all facets of the oil and natural gas industry. It supports 9.8 million US jobs and 8%of the US economy.
Adapted from press release by Anna Nicklin