New Report Finds Pipeline Incidents Down 17%
A new report released this week by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) found pipeline safety continues to improve, with the total number of incidents on liquid lines was down 17% from five years ago, despite a construction boom adding thousands of miles of new pipe across the country, including major projects like the 1,172-mile Dakota Access crude oil pipeline.
Further, the number of incidents impacting people or the environment decreased 36%, and incidents related to the pipeline itself, such as corrosion, cracking, or weld failure were down 50% over the same time period. Even when the rare occurrence of a pipeline incident happened, nearly 80% were contained to the pipeline operator’s property, such as a pump station, tank farm, or terminal.
Below is a statement that can be attributed to me, Craig Stevens, spokesman for the GAIN Coalition:
“The positive results from the API/AOPL report affirm our nation’s growing pipeline network is the safest, most efficient, and most environmentally-conscious method of delivering the natural gas and oil that American consumers rely on each and every day. Even as pipeline mileage increased and domestic energy production reached record levels, the total number of incidents significantly decreased thanks to the commitment and ingenuity from the industry. Pipeline operators continue to go above and beyond required safety standards to meet our nation’s energy needs – not only increasing reliable, safe access to American energy, but also bolstering our national and energy security at a time when we need it most.”
