Pipeline

The nation’s 165,000 miles of petroleum transmission pipelines are the primary means of moving crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel and other petroleum products to consumer markets. They are safe, efficient and, because most are buried, largely unseen. They move crude oil from oil fields on land and offshore to refineries where the oil is turned into fuels and other products, then from the refineries to terminals where fuels are trucked to retail outlets. Americans use more than 20 million barrels of oil products daily. Pipelines operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep fuel flowing to consumers.

The petroleum pipeline industry’s safety record is strong and improving. Operators are doing a steadily better job of protecting pipelines from corrosion, damage by third parties, and other threats. Government agencies that regulate the pipeline industry include the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (part of the U.S. Department of Transportation), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and others.

To learn more about pipelines, please visit Pipeline 101 and view America’s Supply Line video. Links to additional information are below:

API/INGAA/AOPL Public Awareness Survey Program
Pipeline operators! Measure the effectiveness of your public awareness programs as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations.

What’s New:

New "811" Call-Before-You-Dig Number
Portland Pipe Line Corporation Wins API Safety and Environmental Performance Distinguished Award
Pipeline Mapping Publicly Available at U.S. DOT, PHMSA
Cooperation Reduces Pipeline Incidents
Shipping Ethanol Through Pipelines
Recommended Practice 1165 for SCADA Systems Issued

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Size: 32 KB | Date: February 6, 2007 | License: Free
Five-Year Study Shows Pipeline Spills Reduced

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Size: 344 KB | Version Date: April 24, 2006 | License: Free
API Comments on DOT Low-Stress Pipelines Proposal

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Size: 88 KB | Date: November 6, 2006 | License: Free

API Environmental and Safety Award Program:

Policy Issues:

API-AOPL IMP Comments

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Size: 144 KB | Date: February 13, 2006 | License: Free

API-AOPL Comments on Repair Intervals

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Size: 432 KB | Date: April 13, 2006 | License: Free
API-AOPL Letter to OPS/PHMSA on Control Room Operations

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Size: 132 KB | Date: August 24, 2006 | License: Free
API-AOPL Comments to PHMSA regarding NTSB Recommendations on Control Room Operations

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Size: 60 KB | Date: March 13, 2006 | License: Free
API-AOPL Letter to Illinois Commerce Commission on Enbridge Application

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Size: 604 KB | Date: August 24, 2006 | License: Free
API-AOPL Letter Proposing Regulation for Low-Stress Pipelines

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Size: 16 KB | Date: June 1, 2006 | License: Free
API-AOPL Supplemental Letter on Low-Stress Pipelines

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Size: 132 KB | Date: August 1, 2006 | License: Free
API-AOPL Low-Stress Pipeline Proposal Presentation

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Size: 24 KB | License: Free

Pipeline Operations:

Security Preparedness and the Oil Pipeline System
Terrorist Threat to Oil and Gas Industry Examined

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Size: 1.2 MB | Date: Fall 2004 | License: Free
Moving Oil by Pipeline: an Interactive Presentation
Pipelines Need Operational Flexibility to Meet America’s Energy Needs

RP1162/Public Awareness:

Joint Survey Program for Evaluation Pipeline Public Awareness Program Effectiveness

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Size: 88 KB | License: Free
API Pipeline Awareness Guidelines

Pipeline Performance Tracking System (PPTS):

Five-Year Study Shows Pipeline Spills Reduced

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Size: 344 KB | Date: April 24, 2006 | License: Free
PPTS, Frequently Asked Questions
Pipeline Performance Tracking System Presentation

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Size: 1.2 MB | Date: April 9, 2002 | License: Free
PPTS Advisories

Standards & Publications:

Links: