July 7, 2000

Pipelines and you
What every landowner should know

By Kelly Swan
The Williams Companies

Pipelines. Texas is full of ’em. They deliver energy products like gasoline and natural gas all across the state. Truth is, it would be hard to get along without them because there just aren’t enough tanker trucks to handle all the energy the Lone Star State needs. In fact, your tractor or car probably runs on diesel fuel or gasoline that was carried on a pipeline at some point.

But what else do you need to know about pipelines? You’ve noticed some warning signs before. Probably even received a brochure or two in the mail about them. Maybe you looked at them, maybe you didn’t. In any case, here’s a quick look at the important stuff you really need to know.

Identifying a Pipeline
Pipelines are generally buried underground for safety reasons. To identify a pipeline, watch for warning signs or marker posts along the pipeline’s right-of-way. Often times, these signs are bright yellow. The signs show the pipeline’s approximate path, not the exact route or depth.

Call Before You Dig
Working around a pipeline is serious business. Never take chances. The majority of energy products inside a pipeline are flammable or explosive if exposed to an ignition source. Plows, augers, trenchers and backhoes can damage a pipeline and in the process create a spark, which is an ignition source.

If you have to dig or plow in the vicinity of a line, call 1-800-545-6005 at least 48 hours before you start. That’s not a suggestion, it’s the law. The toll-free number will connect you with the Texas One-Call System, which will notify companies who operate underground pipelines, wires or cables near your project. The operators will send a representative to your area to more clearly mark the depth and route of the line for you.

The service is totally free and could save your life.

If You Find a Leak...
You can identify a pipeline leak with your senses of sight, sound and smell. Watch for a white cloud of fog, discolored vegetation or a pool of liquid on the ground near the right-of-way. You can also detect a leak by listening for a hissing or roaring sound or noticing a strange or unusual odor.

If you ever find a leak, turn off any running machinery, immediately leave the area on foot, warn others to stay away and call 9-1-1 or your police and fire departments. It is also important to notify the company who operates the line.
You can get their phone number from a pipeline warning sign.

Oops!
Accidents happen, but they can generally be prevented. One accident can also lead to another, just like little white lies. So, should you ever scrape, nick or dent a pipeline, do not cover the line back up to hide the mistake. Call the pipeline operator immediately. Even seemingly minor damage could result in a future leak or accident if not promptly and properly repaired.

Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind
Nobody wants an accident. Especially pipeline companies, who put their record and reputation on the line every day. That’s why companies spend a great deal of time and money on monitoring, maintenance and safety precautions such as shutoff valves to keep their pipelines safe.

And even though those pipes are underground, somebody always has their eye on them 24 hours a day, every day of the year. There are electronic meters and sensors all along a pipeline that send signals about pressure and flow rates to satellites about every 10 to 15 seconds. The satellites, in turn, transmit the data to computer systems that are monitored by people around the clock. If there’s ever a problem, a pipeline can quickly be shut down.

Conclusion
Lastly, get to know the people who operate pipelines in your area. Pipeliners tend to be friendly folks who would be glad to talk with you about how they operate their pipeline and the products they carry. After all, they live, work and raise their families in the same communities as you.

Williams, through its subsidiaries, operates close to 2,000 miles of pipelines in Texas that carry ethane, propane and butane. These products can be used for home heating, auto fuel or to manufacture plastic products such as milk bottles and containers. Nationwide, Williams also operates pipelines that transport petroleum and natural gas and is in the process of building a fiber-optic network that carries voice, data and video communications. For more information, visit www.williams.com on the Internet.