Report: Pipeline Operators Continue to Advance Safety Culture

Mark Green
Posted May 7, 2024

Hats off to the winners of API’s 2023 Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards: MIPC (small operator), ExxonMobil Pipeline Company (medium operator) and Marathon Pipe Line (large operator). Selected by their peers, they were recognized for their commitment to safety, community engagement and advancing a zero-incident culture.

The three exemplify the safety and performance excellence of America’s pipeline sector, underscored in the joint API-Liquid Energy Pipeline Association 2023 Performance Report released this week. Some of the report’s big takeaways (based on U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration data):

• 99.999% – A barrel of energy delivered by pipeline safely reaches its destination virtually every time.
• Decreased 23% – Total pipeline incidents 2019-23.
• Decreased 54% – Operations and maintenance incidents affecting people or the environment, 2019-23.
• Decreased 50% – Total equipment failure incidents, 2019-23.

Those are great numbers, yet as the safety report brings out, the goal is zero incidents. Steven A. Yatauro, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company president and chair of the API-LEPA Pipeline Safety Excellence Steering Committee, said pipeline operators are “devoted to continuous improvement.”

That’s a major commitment to American families and businesses, who count on products – including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel – delivered by pipeline every day. In all, America’s liquid energy pipeline network stretches 229,000 miles to deliver those fuels as well as crude oil to make them, propane and natural gas liquids, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) – which is integral to reducing emissions from a number of industrial processes. Yatauro:

“In a time when global energy security is paramount, pipelines reliably provide the affordable and abundant energy resources we rely on every day.”

Pipelines are the safest way to move large amounts of oil and natural gas, and operators are continuously improving their safety. The performance report found that most pipeline incidents are small. In 2023, 61% of liquid pipeline incidents were less than five barrels, and 84% were less than 50 barrels. Equipment and corrosion failures were the leading causes of liquids pipeline incidents 2019-2023 (69%).

Pipeline operators pursue the zero-incidents goal on multiple fronts, including: an organization-wide commitment to safety; promoting a workplace culture; safety management systems for a consistent, holistic safety management structure; technologies; and engaging with stakeholders.

Increased engagement that includes local officials, tribal representatives, community leaders, landowners and pipeline operators is the goal of one of API’s latest standards, Recommended Practice (RP) 1185, which provides guidelines and best practices for pipeline companies to ensure there is meaningful dialogue throughout the life of a pipeline. 

Robin Rorick, API vice president of Midstream Policy:

“Enhancing public engagement is crucial for maintaining current pipeline safety and expanding energy infrastructure. As our industry advances emissions reduction efforts – including the development of hydrogen and carbon capture – the safety of our nation’s pipelines remains at the center of our commitment to ensuring safe, responsible operations.”