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A new dawn for pipeline leaks

A new dawn for pipeline leaks

The pipeline industry is on the verge of a new departure. Recent regulatory changes have pushed operators to think about the health of their assets and ensure they comply with the introduction of industry-wide regulations. To avoid service interruptions and impacts on the environment and local communities, operators must be proactive in combating pipeline leaks. Far from being a stumbling block for operators, these new regulations are critical not only to protecting pipeline infrastructure, but also to optimizing future operations and overall efficiency.

Implemented by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on October 1, 2024, 49 CFR 195.134 requires that all onshore hazardous liquid pipelines transporting single-phase liquids constructed before October 1, 2019 be equipped with effective leak detection systems must be. This mandate applies directly to any liquid pipeline that transports liquid in a single phase (that does not contain gas in the liquid) and ensures that each pipeline is equipped with leak detection systems that comply with PHMSA requirements under § 195.444.

The initial phase of this change began with pipelines constructed on or after October 1, 2019, with compliance required by October 1, 2020. Now that the final phase window for older pipelines has recently expired, operators must act to implement appropriate pipeline integrity methods to mitigate potential disruptions due to non-compliance.

PHMSA reports that the average mile of natural gas distribution pipelines in the U.S. is about 40 years old. Because the new regulations impact pipelines built before 2019, many operators across the country will need to make necessary adjustments to comply with the regulations.

Today, corrosion is the cause of the majority of hazardous fluid incidents in pipelines installed before 1950. This inevitably leads to leaks that threaten pipeline reliability and transportation safety. This highlights the need for the new leak detection regulations and highlights the importance of implementing systems that can detect leaks quickly and accurately, ensure an efficient resolution and minimize costs and disruption.

The accident rate on onshore gas transmission pipelines doubled from the 1940s to the 2010s, resulting in a $7 billion loss for the industry. Worryingly, almost 33% of all reported gas leaks resulted in fires and 13% in explosions, posing a serious safety risk. Between 2010 and 2021, gas leaks resulted in 122 deaths and 603 injuries. A report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group found that in 2023 alone, over 2,600 leaks in hazardous gas pipelines caused more than $4 billion in damages and 26 .6 billion feet released3 from methane or carbon dioxide. These numbers highlight the significant impact of leaks on public safety and the environment.

Progress in fixing gas pipeline leaks in the U.S. has been slow. A large gas leak is reported to the federal government every 40 hours on average, while smaller leaks often go undetected and unrepaired for years. 2019 Cross Country Pipeline Risk Assessments and Mitigation Strategies found that leak detection systems in the U.S. were effective less than 20% of the time. PHMSA only provides data on reported incidents, leaving many undetected leaks unaccounted for. Experts estimate that thousands of small leaks could go unnoticed each year in the sprawling U.S. pipeline network. The steady incidence of major pipeline leaks and safety issues over the past decade demonstrates the urgent need for revised industry standards and new safety-related rules. The environmental impact of these incidents is significant and requires immediate action.

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