‘Living and Working Near Pipelines’: A Summary and Review of TC Energy’s Mailing to Landowners

     This is a summary and review of an 11-page booklet I got in the mail from TC Energy. This one is about natural gas pipelines. They have another slightly different one for oil pipelines. I have a natural gas transmission line crossing my property. The booklet has useful information about pipelines, call before you dig information, understanding utility markings and flag colors, pipeline markers, what land uses can pipeline rights-of-way accommodate, and how to recognize and respond to a pipeline leak.

     There is a free one-call center using 811 as the call-before-you-dig number. This is a national number. One is expected to call at least two days before any excavation on or near a pipeline right-of-way. The lines and other underground utilities can be located and flagged before excavation. The color scheme for utility marking is shown below. A TC Energy representative must be on-site during any excavation on the right-of-way.

Recognizing a pipeline involves noting a cleared generally linear pipeline right-of-way and signs indicating the presence of the pipeline. A common right-of-way size is 50ft in width. One is not permitted to put up fences or buildings on a pipeline right-of-way. Farming and mowing are OK. Some rights-of-ways are maintained more or less than others. I think trees and shrubs are removed from mine about every 4 or 5 years.

     Types of pipeline signs and markers are shown below:

 

One may also request that a sign be put up if warranted.

     A natural gas pipeline leak may be recognized by the smell of gas. However, natural gas may be odorless. A sulfur-like odorant is commonly added to small distribution lines but is not added to transmission lines. A gas leak can kill vegetation. It can attract vultures. It can bubble in water, blow dust into the air, or even frost the ground due to pressure differential. Leaking gas can also be seen. I experienced this at a well once when rigging down gas detection equipment. The well was experiencing lost circulation and there was no hydrostatic pressure holding the gas down. It was leaking at a high rate, and you could see little wavelets moving in the air. I had seen it at a few other wells as well. A hissing sound or even a roaring sound for a big one may indicate a pipeline leak. Dangers of leaking gas include dizziness if in a confined space, fire or explosion of an ignition source is present, or an air pressure hazard if the pipeline is high pressure.

     TC Energy gives the following instructions when a leak is recognized or a pipeline is struck during excavation:

 

1. Stop all excavation and construction. Shut off all machinery if safe to do so and move away from the area on foot – warn others to do the same.

 

2. Do not attempt to repair the pipe or operate any valves.

 

3. Call ‘911’ as soon as you are in a safe location. Describe the situation and inform the operator of any injuries, leaking product or fire.

 

4. Call TC Energy’s emergency number (see the back of this booklet) and explain the incident. This number is available on all pipeline marker signs.

 

5. Do not continue your project until authorized by a TC Energy representative.

 

     The consequences of unsafe digging include interrupted service of water, electric, or gas depending on what lines were struck, possible fines and repair costs incurred, and the risk of serious injury or death. They report that “since 2008, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has reported 715 injured workers and 79 fatalities due to  damages done to underground infrastructures during excavation work.”

     One can ask the pipeline owner if they can get a right-of-way crossing that can be traversed by vehicles but to get approval the company must know exact location and makes and models and axle weights of any vehicles that will cross.

     TC Energy states that they do the following best practices to ensure pipeline safety:

 

• 24/7 monitoring of our facilities

 

• In-line inspections of pipelines that can identify the smallest of issues or defects for repair

 

• Regular patrols of the right-of-way

 

• Multiple shut-down valves to isolate and limit potential releases

 

• Cathodic protection to prevent corrosion

 

• Hydrostatic testing

 

• Investigative digs

 

• Ground surveys

 

They also do smart drone monitoring and fiber optic monitoring. Some areas along the lines may be designated as High Consequence Areas (HCAs) and require Integrity Management Programs (IMPs).

     In the case of leaks they employ state-of-the-art leak detection systems and employees are trained to recognize and deal with leaks. Their process for leak response in the event of a leak is as follows

• Shutting down the affected pipeline if necessary

• Isolating the impacted section of the pipeline through either automatic valve

shutoff or manual valve operation.

• Dispatching emergency personnel to the location of the incident.

A pipeline will not be re-started until it is safe and until regulators give them the OK to do so.

 

References:

Living and working near pipelines. What you need to know - Natural Gas. TC Energy. tc-natural-gas-pipelines-safety-info-nb-us.pdf (tcenergy.com)