PHMSA: Stakeholder Communications: Natural Gas Pipelines Systems (2024)

FAQs

What pipelines are regulated by Phmsa? ›

Federal pipeline statutes provide for exclusive Federal authority to regulate interstate pipelines, interstate underground natural gas storage, and interstate LNG facilities.

From the wellhead to the consumer, natural gas pipeline systems provide us with a clean and efficient source of energy. There are essentially three major types of pipelines along the transportation route: gathering systems, transmission systems, and distribution systems.

Building pipelines results in deforestation and the destruction of habitats for multiple species. There have been approximately 9,000 significant pipeline spills over the past 30 years. Over 500 people have died because of these spills, in addition to 2,576 people injured, and over $8.5 billion in financial damages [1]

If States did not participate in the pipeline safety or underground natural gas storage programs, the inspection and enforcement of these intrastate pipeline and underground natural gas storage facilities would be PHMSA's responsibility.

About The PHMSA Gas Mega Rule

Expand Integrity Management requirements beyond High Consequence Areas (HCAs) to Moderate Consequence Areas (MCAs) Require pipeline operators to verify records to establish Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) Require testing of untested pipe to confirm MAOP.

Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (NGPL) is a natural gas pipeline company. It owns pipelines which bring natural gas from the Texas Permian Basin and Gulf of Mexico into the Chicago area.

What is the difference between a pipeline and a gas line? A pipeline is a piping system in an open area, and is usually used for transmission or distribution. A pipeline can have many purposes such as transporting water, slurries, oil, gas, etc. A gas line is a type of pipeline that transmit or distribute gas.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state (liquefied), to about -260° Fahrenheit, for shipping and storage. The volume of natural gas in its liquid state is about 600 times smaller than its volume in its gaseous state in a natural gas pipeline.

Natural gas combustion from residential and commercial buildings in California makes up an estimated 5 percent of total nitrogen oxide emissions in the state, while 90 percent of these emissions result from space and water heating. Nitrogen oxides are a major contributor to smog.

Washington and California have issued statewide rules on restricting the use of natural gas in commercial buildings, while Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C. have each adopted rules that would either ban or limit the use of natural gas in new residential and commercial buildings.

How many people died in natural gas pipeline? ›

Most fatal oil & gas pipeline accidents through history caused over 4000 deaths. Vandalism, mismanagement and pitting corrosion were the most frequent causes.

Virtually every resident of Texas lives near a pipeline. Our state is home to more than 500,000 miles of pipelines, but because they are typically located underground we can't easily see them. Pipelines crisscross our yards, neighborhoods, communities, state and country safely transporting energy products every day.

Gazprom is the largest natural gas producer with more than 18 trillion cubic feet in 2021.

There is some disagreement on which country has the largest proven gas reserves. Sources that consider that Russia has by far the largest proven reserves include the US CIA (47600 cubic kilometers), the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) (49000 km³), and OPEC (48810 km³).

PHMSA's Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is responsible for oversight of interstate pipeline systems as well as intrastate pipeline systems, except in states which are certified by PHMSA as a state partner.

PHMSA oversees the safe design, operation, and maintenance of the Nation's nearly 3.3 million miles of oil, gas, and other hazardous materials pipeline and storage facilities, including for hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and other emerging fuels.

PHMSA develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of the nation's 2.6 million mile pipeline transportation system and the nearly 1 million daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air.

FERC reviews applications for construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines under the authority of section 7 of the Natural Gas Act. FERC review ensures that applicants certify that they will comply with Department of Transportation safety standards.