Directory Of Natural Gas And Oil Pipeline Company

1. Directory Of Natural Gas And Oil Pipeline Company INTRODUCTION The US has a wide network of interstate and intrastate pipelines to serve the purpose of liquids and gaseous transport, such as transportation of water, hazardous liquids, fuel gas, raw materials, etc. According to reports, get Oil Pipeline Report, the nation is said to have 2.6 million miles of pipes, delivering a large amount of natural gas and liquid petroleum every year. Pipelines are laid both underground and above the ground. Some of those used for transporting high cost fuels are often buried in the ground to avoid human interference and wastage. Because of this, many people are unaware of the vast network and capacity of pipelines. But today, with the improved computing power and AI development, an automated and well monitored transportation of fuels has been made possible at minimum transportation cost. With the growing network of pipelines across the nation and its crucial role in the daily life of citizens, here comes the need for regulatory authority that handles the fair use and manufacturing of this network as well as ensures public safety. Depending on the category of a pipeline, transported fluid, the material used in manufacturing, and where it operates, there are various federal and state agencies providing jurisdictions that regulate it. A. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) The FERC is an independent government organization. It is the regulatory authority that permits and monitors the interstate pipelines, natural gas infrastructure, and its storage. The authority of FERC under legislation began with the Natural Gas Act of 1938 which was updated later to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Working as a subsidiary of the U.S Department of Energy, FERC also reviews proposals prior to manufacturing of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines. Moreover, it provides the license to hydropower projects too. B. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) While FERC looks after the approval of location, construction, operation, and abandonment of interstate pipelines, PHMSA looks after the transportation of hazardous liquids and ensures environmental safety. PHMSA has two offices. One, the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety whose sole work is to develop rules and standards for proper handling and packing of hazardous materials. And the

2. second one, The Office of Pipeline Safety, which develops regulations and risk management to assure the safety of the pipeline transportation network. PERMISSIONS Prior to the construction of pipeline network, permits are required to be obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in case the pipeline is to be constructed through water bodies including wetlands. Some other regulatory agencies like PA’s Department of Environmental Protection are also present in the scene of approving construction through waterways. CONCLUSION Although regulatory authorities have been set up to ensure the safety and security of public from the possible hazards, some other aspects need our attention. Construction of pipeline network results in forest fragmentations as a large number of trees are needed to be cleared to accommodate the pipe. According to the USGS report of Natural Gas Pipeline Contractors Directory, construction of pipelines is one of the biggest reasons for an increasing number of forest patches. Increment of around 1000 patches is seen in Washington alone, half of them contributed by pipeline construction. Proper majors should be taken to avoid pipeline failures, human error, and natural disasters, as they can result in major pipeline disasters.