API Announces 2022 Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards

Winners include MIPC, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company LLC and Phillips 66

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2023 – The American Petroleum Institute (API) today announced the winners of the 2022 API Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards. Selected by their peers, a small, medium and large pipeline operator is recognized each year for their commitment to safety, community engagement and work to advance a zero incidents culture. 

“MIPC, Exxon Mobil Pipeline Company and Phillips 66 embody API’s Principles that call for the safe and responsible production, processing, and transportation of natural gas and oil. I’m proud to note that the current trend of decreasing pipeline incidents is occurring during an era of increasing production,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said. “Americans will rely on oil and natural gas for a long time, and we want it to come from America. Today’s awards are vital in showing and telling our regulators, Congress, the media and our nation that pipelines are the safest way to deliver energy, boost trade and provide energy security."

The Small Operator Winner, MIPC, promoted a culture of safety excellence, proactive community engagement and continuous improvement through a strong commitment to its Pipeline Safety Management System. Through these efforts, including an expansion of its safety technology and incorporation of data driven metrics, risk management best practices and lessons learned, MIPC achieved its goal of zero pipeline safety accidents. 

The Medium Operator Winner, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company LLC, highlighted that pipeline safety goes beyond the pipes themselves and into the communities where companies operate through their innovative approach to risk assessment and commitment to engaging stakeholders. Their work to connect with communities, enhance pipeline safety, and leverage data analysis have already greatly benefited the broader industry. 

The Large Operator Winner, Phillips 66 Pipeline, advanced its Operating Excellence through Technology and Safety Improvement programs, their use of advanced inspection technology and analytics, the implementation of industry best practices and learnings, by actively engaging with stakeholders and demonstrating a steadfast employee and contractor commitment to achieving zero incidents.  

Robust pipeline infrastructure is critical to help ensure economic growth, providing widespread access to natural gas, oil, propane and other fuels to consumers coast to coast. Pipelines are one of the safest, most environmentally friendly ways to deliver energy for modern life, thanks in part to pipeline operators’ commitment to community engagement and a zero-incident safety culture. Energy products traveling through our nation’s 2.8 million miles of pipelines reach their destination without incident 99.999% of the time. 

As Congress considers reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration and pipeline safety programs this year, API urges policymakers to maximize investment in state-of-the-art technology to encourage continued innovation and support continuous improvements in pipeline safety. 

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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