Thursday, February 25, 2016

The Eye in the Sky, Squealing Pigs, and Other Pipeline Mysteries Revealed -by Chris Thome Program Coordinator Pipeline Ag Safety Alliance



Buried pipelines transport the energy needed to operate our businesses, homes, and farms. There are over 2.5 million miles of pipeline in the U.S. that lies beneath farmland, ranchland, and across our country. Pipelines are the safest mode of transportation in the United States. A barrel of crude oil or petroleum product shipped by pipeline reaches its destination safely more than 99.9999% of the time.

Pipeline operators work hard to ensure that health, safety, security, and environmental concerns are all addressed. Pipeline companies work to prevent releases by evaluating, inspecting and maintaining pipelines in a program call Integrity Management. Many of the activities you see out on the pipeline right-of-way (ROW) are company personnel ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the system.

You may be wondering, "Why is that plane flying low and slow over my land?", "why are they cutting down brush and trees?" Or you may have heard about someone "pigging a pipeline". Here are some common activities you may notice qualified pipeline company representatives performing on land near you.

Aerial Patrol

Pipeline company representatives fly over pipelines at regular intervals to perform inspection. They look for discolored ground or dying vegetation, or a sheen on the water as signs of a possible leak. Any nearby construction is noted and a call to the local field office is made. Pilots look for any buildings or obstructions on the ROW (called encroachments). Pipeline patrol is an essential element of Integrity Management programs.

In-Line Inspection and Maintenance "Pigging"

For many years the pipeline industry has used devices to clean the inside of their pipelines. These devices to clean the inside of their pipelines. These devices called "pigs", scrub and scrape waxes and other contaminants that can build up on the interior walls. The first such devices were made of straw and wire, and made a squealing noise as they traveled through the pipeline, thus earning the name "pigs".

Today, high-tech in-line inspection (ILI) tools travel through the pipe and measure and record irregularities that may represent corrosion, cracks, laminations, deformations, (dents, gouges, etc.), or other defects. Because they run inside the pipe in a manner similar to the scrubbing and scraping devices known as pigs, these in-line inspection tools are often referred to as "smart pigs".

Right-of-Way (ROW) Clearing

The pipeline ROW must be kept clear of trees, tall vegetation, or any structures. It is important that the pipeline patroller's visual inspection isn't impeded by tree canopies, buildings, or other encroachments. It is also important to keep the pipeline ROW free of trees because roots could grow into and damage the protective coating of the pipeline, and in case of an emergency, responders need to be able to access the area quickly.

Mainline Valve Inspections

Pipeline systems have valves located throughout their entire system. These valves are used to isolate sections of the pipeline when conducting maintenance and would be operated in case of an emergency. Routine inspections verify that the valves operate properly.

Hydrostatic Testing


Hydrostatic testing can be an important part of the pipeline's integrity management program.  During the test the pipeline is filled with water at pressures higher than normal operating pressures. The water is colored using an environmentally safe dye, so that if there is a leak, it can be identified and repairs can be made. Hydrostatic testing can last 8-12 hours or more, and is a safe and effective way to proactively look for problems that could result in a release.

Corrosion Inspections 

In its natural state, all metals corrode at various rates depending on make-up. Pipeline companies use a number of different methods to protect against corrosion and ensure safe operations of pipelines. Pipelines use sophisticated coatings and cathodic protection (electric currents) to fight against corrosion. When a pipeline is properly installed and maintained it can operate safely virtually endlessly. Pipe-to-ground and close interval inspections ensure corrosion protection is operating properly.

These are a few steps pipeline companies take to ensure the safe operation of our nation's pipeline infrastructure. The next time you see a white pickup truck or one with a pipeline company logo working on or around your land, stop and say hello, ask what they are doing. It is important we all work together to keep your farm, and our environment, safe. 


All of us at the Pipeline Ag Safety Alliance look forward to continuing our work together to help keep your clients and our environment safe.