Pipeline Product Release Trends

According to the API advisory, PPTS Advisory 2009-5, facility releases account for more than half of the incidents in the hazardous liquids industry’s Pipeline Performance Tracking System (PPTS). The facility leaks were lower in consequence as, typically, the leaks were lower in volume and they were contained in the facility.

Pipeline operators to be held accountable for pipeline accidents

In April 2016 Congresswoman Janice Hahn and Congresswoman Jackie Speier introduced legislation to hold pipeline operators accountable for destructive and deadly pipeline accidents in the US. The proposed Prosecuting Irresponsible Pipeline Explosions (PIPE) Act makes pipeline operators responsible for clear misconduct.

PHMSA FAQs on pipeline leak detection

Nothing in these FAQs alters the content of the rule, constitutes new requirements, or represents interpretations of the rule. Requests for official written interpretations of the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Integrity Management Rule may be requested in accordance with 49 CFR 190.11.

PHMSA awarded broad authority to shut down pipelines and mandate leak detection technologies

The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a series of measures allowing the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to issue emergency orders to shut down pipeline systems and issue emergency regulations, bring new transparency to interagency reviews, tighten standards for underground natural gas storage systems and mandate the installation of leak detection technologies.

Overview of external based leak detection methods

Leak detection technologies divide into two main groups: internal based and external based. The most common external-based leak detection methods include: biological, acoustic sensing, vapor sensing and infrared camera