API Announces 2023 Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards

Winners include MIPC, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company LLC and Marathon Pipe Line 

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2024 – The American Petroleum Institute (API) today announced the winners of the 2023 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-incident culture. 

“Pipelines serve as the safest way to move large quantities of oil and natural gas from where they are produced to where they are needed. Today’s winners represent our industry culture: ‘Safety first, safety always,’” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said. “Oil and natural gas will be needed throughout the world for decades to come. We want it to come from America with abundant resources, modern infrastructure and the best workforce in the world.”

The Small Operator Winner, MIPC, led the industry for the second year in a row by promoting a culture of safety excellence, effective risk management, community engagement, innovative technology and environmental stewardship. Their implementation of safety management systems, along with strong employee engagement and training, reflects MIPC’s deep commitment to pipeline safety. 

The Medium Operator Winner, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company LLC, was recognized as a leader in fostering a safety culture across the organization and for its commitment to ongoing improvement in pipeline safety. Their commitment to safety is evident from their stellar safety performance, important integrity advancements and innovative stakeholder engagement practices, such as the hands-on emergency response training they offer firefighters across their footprint. 

The Large Operator Winner, Marathon Pipe Line, distinguished itself in 2023 for proactive, ongoing implementation of API Recommended Practice 1173, Pipeline Safety Management Systems, and by developing a new and revolutionary safety leadership course. Marathon’s innovative approach to right-of-way aerial monitoring and vegetation maintenance and its significant strides in integrity management have advanced the knowledge base of both the company and the industry as a whole.

Fully harnessing American energy, including bringing the benefits of natural gas, oil and low-carbon energy to all parts of the country, depends on new and existing infrastructure. 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.

As Congress continues the process of reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and pipeline safety programs, 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 nearly 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 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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