Safety Measures
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 are approached with a “safety first” mentality.
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.
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.
