Report examines liquids pipeline incidents, productivity

The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) have released the 2019 Liquids Pipeline Performance Report, which maintains incidents have declined while productivity has risen.

“The natural gas and oil industry continues to demonstrate that safety is our number one priority – with pipeline incidents declining over twenty percent in the last five years,”

David Murk, API pipeline manager, said. “Our industry continues to use cutting edge technologies, share lessons learned and leverage data to address pipeline risks, as we work towards our goal of zero incidents. The industry is meeting increasing demand for gasoline, jet fuel and petroleum products that power our modern way of life, all while operating safely and protecting employees, surrounding communities and the environment.”

The analysis determined liquids pipeline incidents impacting people or the environment have decreased 20 percent over the last five years and pipeline mileage and barrels delivered have increased over 10 percent.

“Government data captured in this report shows how liquids pipelines are getting safer with fewer pipeline incidents impacting people or the environment,” Andy Black, president and CEO of AOPL, said.

The report noted there have been significant positive safety trends in key performance indicators identified by federal and state regulators, public safety advocates and the industry, per officials, noting pipeline incidents impacting people or the environment caused by corrosion, cracking or weld failure decreased 35 percent over the last five years.