NGT&S is Committed to Safe Operations and Pipeline Integrity
The NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage (NGT&S) companies, Columbia Gas Transmission, Columbia Gulf Transmission, Crossroads Pipeline, Central Kentucky Transmission Company, Hardy Storage Company, Millennium Pipeline and NiSource Midstream Services serve customers in more than 16 states. Our pipelines stretch more than 15,000 miles. It is our privilege to play a role in providing domestic energy for our nation. At NGT&S, we believe our primary responsibility is to ensure public safety through responsible operations. We are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our employees and the members of the communities in which we operate. Natural gas pipelines are subject to not only our own stringent internal controls but also must meet rigorous federal and state requirements and oversight.
Safety Focus From Design to Delivery
Pipeline safety starts long before natural gas actually begins flowing. Safety is at the forefront during the design phase, when we apply strict industry standards, research-based company policies and regulatory mandates to every aspect of a facility’s development. From basic design to selection of materials, construction plans, operational plans and monitoring requirements, it is our top priority to ensure all projects.
Safety Around-the-Clock
Our operating facilities are kept under a constant watch — 24-hours a day, seven days a week — by the staff at our Gas Control monitoring centers. Team members working in these centers continuously gather and monitor data from pipelines and related facilities across our operating system and can control the flow of gas throughout our pipeline network.
Partnering with Emergency Responders and Communities
Residents along our pipeline rights of way, contractors, excavators, emergency responders and public officials all play a key role in helping to keep our pipelines operating safely. These stakeholders learn how to prevent, detect and report a leak along a pipeline through ongoing communication and training with our personnel and by reading our public awareness brochure, which is regularly mailed to those living or working at or near one of our facilities.
Inspecting and Re-Inspecting
Periodic inspections of our facilities help us detect potential problems before they become safety concerns. These inspections, many of which are prescribed by law, include a detailed analysis of the underground corrosion protection systems along our pipelines, as well as above-ground surveys for detecting signs of leaks or other potential problems. Advanced internal inspection tools can also be used to physically inspect the condition of many of our pipelines from the inside out. In addition, regular aerial patrols of our main pipeline rights of way help us spot changes or conditions that could pose potential problems. All of these steps are in accordance with strict safety regulations prescribed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Continual Improvement of Pipeline Integrity
In addition to a wide range of safety programs that meet or exceed industry regulations, NGT&S has implemented an overhauled, industry-recognized pipeline integrity program that has been developed in close coordination with PHMSA. We’re utilizing industry-leading tools including in-line inspections to better identify High Consequence Areas (HCAs) along our system. Further, NGT&S has implemented an advanced risk analysis tool to prioritize and tailor the assessment of HCAs to mitigate risk, and to identify pipelines for assessment and improvement outside of HCAs as indicated by risk analysis.
A High Consequence Area is a location on the natural gas pipeline transmission system where there would be the greatest consequence to public safety and property should a pipeline failure with ignition occur. All HCAs will have a physical assessment completed by the end of 2012. The assessment methods may include pressure testing, pipe replacements and pipeline inspection excavations, but the majority of the assessments will be conducted by running an inspection tool through the pipeline. Once an HCA has had its baseline assessment, it must be reassessed at intervals generally not to exceed seven years. This reassessment interval may be shorter depending on the identified risks to the HCA or longer if additional data is obtained that would indicate a longer interval is appropriate. NGT&S is investing in even greater pipeline integrity. In 2010, we will spend approximately $126 million on pipeline system improvements, including assessment and repair, corrosion prevention systems and pipeline improvements and replacements; $175 million is budgeted for 2011.
Learn More about Pipelines in your Area
The National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) is a geographic information system (GIS) created by the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to provide information about pipeline operators and the pipelines in your area. The NPMS Web site is searchable by ZIP code, county, or state where a printable display of a map for your area is available.
The NPMS does not contain information about gathering or distribution systems. To access the NPMS go to www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov/.